To become a medical laboratory technician, you need to have at least four years of secondary education.

Skills are gained on the job under the direction of a scientist or pathologist. After two years' work experience, medical laboratory technicians can sit a Qualified Medical Laboratory Technician Certificate (QMLT) examination offered by the NZ Institute of Medical Laboratory Science.

Medical laboratory technicians may attend courses, conferences and seminars.

Medical laboratory technicians must be registered with the Medical Laboratory Science Board. To register, you must hold a qualification approved by the board and have one year's work experience in a medical laboratory.

Once registered, you need to maintain an Annual Practising Certificate with the board.

Useful experience for medical laboratory technicians includes:

• scientific work
• work in the health sector
• laboratory experience
• work with computers and information systems.