- What This Cheat Sheet Covers
- Who Administers ALS(AAB) and Why It Matters
- The Two Exam Domains at a Glance
- Exam Format, Timing, and Testing Rules
- Fees and Registration Math
- Eligibility Routes and Provisional Status
- Passing Score, Renewal, and File Closure
- A Final-Week Review Timeline
- Quick Reference Table
- FAQ
- ALS(AAB) requires passing both Basic Knowledge and Andrology exams, each 70 questions in 90 minutes.
- Basic Knowledge must be taken at your first sitting; you cannot skip straight to Andrology.
- You need 60% on each exam separately - a high score on one does not offset a low score on the other.
- Same-day testing with an AAB proctor totals $320 including the $115 application, $105 first exam, $65 second exam, and $35 proctor fee.
What This Cheat Sheet Covers
This is a condensed, one-page-style reference for the Andrology Laboratory Scientist (ALS) credential offered through the AAB Board of Registry (ABOR). It's built for candidates who already understand the basics of andrology testing and just need a fast way to confirm exam mechanics, fees, eligibility, and domain structure before test day. If you haven't yet built your foundational study plan, start with the full ALS Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt and come back here for a rapid-fire review closer to your exam date.
Everything below reflects the actual ALS(AAB) structure - not generic laboratory certification advice. Where a fact isn't explicitly published, this guide describes the concept qualitatively rather than guessing at numbers.
Who Administers ALS(AAB) and Why It Matters
The AAB Board of Registry (ABOR) is the certifying body responsible for administering the ALS(AAB) credential. That single fact shapes almost everything else about the exam: the exam blueprint, the fee structure, and the renewal cycle all flow from ABOR's rules rather than from a hospital, state board, or a different professional society. If you've seen conflicting information about "ALS" requirements online, it's likely because other fields use the same three-letter acronym for unrelated credentials - always confirm you're reading about the Andrology Laboratory Scientist path specifically. For a plain-language refresher, see What Is ALS? and ALS Meaning.
The Two Exam Domains at a Glance
ALS(AAB) certification is earned by passing two separate written multiple-choice examinations. There's no combined score - each domain stands on its own, and each must independently clear the passing threshold.
Domain 1: Basic Knowledge Examination
This exam covers the foundational laboratory science knowledge expected of anyone entering high-complexity clinical testing, before the content narrows into andrology-specific material. Candidates should treat this as the gateway domain - it must be completed at the first sitting.
- Must be taken during your first testing attempt; you cannot defer it
- 70 questions, 90 minutes
- No calculators or outside reference materials permitted
Domain 2: Andrology Examination
This is the discipline-specific exam covering the specialized andrology laboratory content that distinguishes ALS(AAB) from a general laboratory credential. It can be taken the same day as Basic Knowledge if you choose the same-day testing option.
- 70 questions, 90 minutes
- Same 60% passing threshold as Domain 1
- Eligible for the discounted same-day second-exam fee when scheduled alongside Basic Knowledge
For a deeper breakdown of what content sits inside each domain and how to allocate study time between them, read ALS Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 2 Content Areas.
Exam Format, Timing, and Testing Rules
Both examinations share an identical format, which makes pacing easier to plan once you internalize the numbers:
- 70 questions per exam
- 90 minutes per exam (roughly 77 seconds per question if you split time evenly)
- Written, multiple-choice format for both Basic Knowledge and Andrology
- No calculators allowed
- No outside notes or reference materials allowed
Because both exams are proctored, closed-book, and time-boxed identically, your pacing strategy should be nearly the same for each - the difference is content, not mechanics. If you're still calibrating how tough the material itself is relative to the time pressure, How Hard Is the ALS Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 walks through that in more depth, and ALS Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows covers what's publicly known about outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Since Basic Knowledge must be taken first, never schedule your Andrology exam as a standalone first attempt - sequence matters as much as content mastery.
Fees and Registration Math
ALS(AAB) fees are straightforward but worth memorizing exactly, since the "second exam" discount only applies under specific conditions.
- $115 - Initial certification application fee
- $105 - First discipline examination fee
- $65 - Second examination fee, if taken the same day as the first
- $35 - AAB proctor fee
Add these together for same-day testing with an AAB proctor on both exams: $115 + $105 + $65 + $35 = $320 total. If you test at a college or university instead of using an AAB proctor, that institution's proctor fee is billed separately and isn't part of the $320 figure. For a full breakdown of how these numbers interact - including what happens if you don't test both exams on the same day - see ALS Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
| Fee Item | Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Initial application | $115 | Once, at first certification attempt |
| First exam | $105 | Basic Knowledge or Andrology, whichever is taken first |
| Second exam (same day) | $65 | Only when both exams are scheduled the same day |
| AAB proctor | $35 | Per testing session using an AAB proctor |
| Annual renewal | $115 | Every year to maintain active certification |
Eligibility Routes and Provisional Status
ALS(AAB) eligibility isn't one-size-fits-all. There are four distinct education routes that can qualify a candidate, and each is paired with a hands-on training requirement:
- Completion of an approved clinical laboratory training program, or
- At least three months of full-time high-complexity andrology laboratory training or experience, completed within the preceding 10 years
Because there are four separate education pathways plus this training component, eligibility planning deserves its own dedicated review - see ALS Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify for the full breakdown of each route.
One nuance worth flagging on this cheat sheet: candidates who satisfy the education requirement before they've completed the training/experience component aren't stuck waiting. They may earn ALS-P(AAB) provisional status in the interim, which allows forward progress while the training clock finishes running. If your current role or training program feeds directly into andrology lab work, review ALS Training to see how your hours-in-progress might count.
Key Takeaway
Don't wait to finish your training hours before starting exam prep - if your education route is already satisfied, provisional ALS-P(AAB) status lets you move forward in parallel.
Passing Score, Renewal, and File Closure
Two numbers matter more than any others on this entire cheat sheet: 60% and three years.
- 60% is the passing score required on each examination - Basic Knowledge and Andrology are graded independently, so a strong Andrology score cannot compensate for a weak Basic Knowledge score, or vice versa.
- Certification renews annually for $115, and ABOR does not impose a continuing-education requirement to maintain it.
- If renewal lapses for three consecutive years, the certification file closes, meaning you'd need to re-enter the process rather than simply reactivate.
The absence of a CE requirement is a meaningful differentiator worth understanding fully before you decide the credential fits your career plans - see Is the ALS Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 for how that factors into long-term value, and ALS Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis for how andrology labs and fertility clinics weigh the credential when hiring.
A Final-Week Review Timeline
If you already have a full study plan in place and just need a structured final push, allocate your last week by domain rather than by generic review blocks. Because Basic Knowledge must be passed at your first sitting, prioritize shoring up any weak spots there first - a failed Basic Knowledge attempt derails your whole testing day even if your Andrology knowledge is solid.
Basic Knowledge Consolidation
- Drill weak areas identified from earlier practice sessions
- Time yourself at 70 questions in 90 minutes to build pacing instinct
- Review any topic where you're below the 60% threshold consistently
Andrology Domain Deep Review
- Focus on specialized andrology content not covered in general lab review
- Run a second full 70-question, 90-minute timed set
- Flag any recurring error patterns for one final pass
Mixed Review and Logistics
- Alternate short question sets between both domains
- Confirm your testing appointment, proctor type, and fee payment
- Verify identification and any required documentation ahead of test day
Light Review and Rest
- Skim summary notes only - avoid new material this close to the exam
- Confirm you know the no-calculator, no-notes policy applies to both domains
- Get full rest before a same-day, back-to-back testing session
This kind of structured final week works because it's mapped directly to the two-domain reality of ALS(AAB) - not a generic all-purpose exam calendar. For scheduling windows and how far in advance to lock in a date, check ALS Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
Quick Reference Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Certifying body | AAB Board of Registry (ABOR) |
| Required exams | Basic Knowledge + Andrology (both required) |
| Questions per exam | 70 |
| Time per exam | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 60% on each exam separately |
| Testing aids allowed | None - no calculators, no outside notes |
| First-sitting rule | Basic Knowledge must be taken first |
| Same-day total (AAB proctor) | $320 |
| Renewal | Annual, $115, no CE requirement |
| File closure | After 3 years without renewal |
| Provisional pathway | ALS-P(AAB), for education-complete/training-pending candidates |
Use this table as your last-look reference before scheduling. Once you've confirmed the mechanics, run a full practice session through our ALS practice test platform to see how your timing and accuracy hold up under the actual 70-question, 90-minute format. If you want a broader library of realistic ALS-style questions across both domains, the main practice test hub is the fastest way to build exam-day confidence.
FAQ
No. Basic Knowledge must be taken at your first sitting. Andrology can be scheduled the same day afterward, but it cannot be your first attempt.
Not necessarily, but testing both on the same day with an AAB proctor gives you the discounted $65 second-exam fee instead of paying full first-exam pricing twice.
No. ABOR does not require continuing education for renewal. You simply pay the $115 annual renewal fee to stay active.
After three consecutive years without renewal, your certification file closes, which means restarting the certification process rather than a simple reinstatement.
You may qualify for ALS-P(AAB) provisional status, allowing you to move forward while completing the required three months of high-complexity andrology laboratory training or experience.
For deeper dives into any single topic covered here - from exact domain content to job-market context - see the related guides linked throughout, including ALS Certification, What Is ALS Certification?, and ALS Jobs.