- ALS(AAB) requires passing both the Basic Knowledge and Andrology exams, each 70 questions in 90 minutes.
- A 60% score is required on each exam, and Basic Knowledge must be taken at your first sitting.
- Same-day testing with an AAB proctor totals $320 when both required exams are completed.
- Candidates who finish coursework before clinical training can hold ALS-P(AAB) provisional status.
What Is an ALS, Exactly?
An Andrology Laboratory Scientist, or ALS, is a certified professional recognized for demonstrating competency in andrology laboratory testing - the clinical science focused on male reproductive health, including semen analysis, sperm function testing, and fertility-related diagnostics. The credential is not a college degree or a job title assigned informally; it is a formal certification earned by passing standardized examinations administered by the AAB Board of Registry (ABOR).
Because several unrelated credentials also use the acronym "ALS," it's worth being precise from the outset: this article, and every resource on this site, addresses Andrology Laboratory Scientist certification only. If you've landed here searching for background before you start studying, our companion piece on What Is ALS? covers the same ground from a slightly different angle, and ALS Meaning and What Does ALS Stand For? dig into terminology if that's what you need first.
Who Administers ALS Certification
The AAB Board of Registry (ABOR) is the certifying body responsible for the ALS credential. ABOR sets the eligibility routes, writes and scores the examinations, collects fees, and manages annual renewal. If you're comparing this credential to others in laboratory science, understanding that ABOR - not a hospital accreditation group or a state licensing board - controls every part of the ALS pathway will save you time when you're trying to find accurate information. For a broader overview of the credential itself, see ALS Certification and What Is ALS Certification?.
Exam Structure and Domains
Unlike credentials that bundle everything into a single test, ALS certification requires passing two separate written multiple-choice examinations. Each exam is 70 questions long, and you have 90 minutes to complete it. There is no calculator use and no outside notes allowed during either sitting - everything you answer has to come from what you've studied and retained.
Domain 1: Basic Knowledge Examination
This exam covers the foundational laboratory science every andrology candidate is expected to know before moving into specialty content. ABOR requires that Basic Knowledge be taken at your first testing sitting - you cannot defer it and attempt Andrology first.
- General laboratory principles and safety practices
- Foundational science concepts underlying clinical laboratory work
- Quality control and quality assurance fundamentals
Domain 2: Andrology Examination
This is the specialty exam focused specifically on andrology laboratory practice - the content that distinguishes an ALS from a generalist laboratory certification.
- Semen analysis procedures and interpretation
- Sperm function and fertility-related testing
- Andrology-specific quality control, documentation, and reporting standards
Both exams require a score of 60% or higher to pass. There's no partial credit system where a strong Andrology score offsets a weak Basic Knowledge score - each exam stands on its own. For a deeper breakdown of exactly what's tested inside each domain, our ALS Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 2 Content Areas walks through content weighting and question style in more detail. If you're trying to gauge how tough this actually is compared to what you're used to, How Hard Is the ALS Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 is worth reading before you commit to a study timeline.
Key Takeaway
Because Basic Knowledge must be taken first, don't schedule your study plan around Andrology content alone - you need Basic Knowledge exam-ready before your first sitting, not "eventually."
Eligibility Routes and Provisional Status
ABOR offers four education routes to eligibility, which gives candidates from different academic backgrounds a legitimate path into the profession rather than forcing everyone through one narrow pipeline. Alongside whichever education route applies to you, candidates must also complete one of the following:
- 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
This dual requirement - education plus hands-on training - means the credential isn't purely academic. ABOR wants evidence that you've actually worked with andrology specimens and procedures, not just studied them in a classroom.
Because eligibility routes and training requirements involve several moving parts, it's worth reading the full breakdown before you assume you qualify (or assume you don't). Our detailed ALS Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify guide maps out each of the four education routes side by side, and ALS Training covers what counts as acceptable clinical experience.
Registration, Fees, and Renewal
ALS certification costs are structured around a few distinct line items, and understanding them upfront prevents surprises on exam day.
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial certification application | $115 |
| First discipline examination | $105 |
| Second examination (same day) | $65 |
| AAB proctor fee | $35 |
| Same-day total (both exams, AAB proctor) | $320 |
| Annual renewal | $115 |
That $320 figure assumes you're taking both Basic Knowledge and Andrology on the same day using an AAB proctor. If you use a college or university proctor instead, that fee is arranged and paid separately, which can change your total depending on the arrangement your institution offers. For the complete cost picture - including how provisional status and retakes factor in - see ALS Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
Once you're certified, renewal is annual at $115, and notably, ABOR does not impose a continuing-education requirement for renewal. That's a meaningful difference from credentials that require documented CE hours every cycle. However, don't let the simplicity lull you into complacency: if you go three years without renewing, ABOR closes your certification file, meaning you'd likely need to re-qualify from scratch rather than simply reinstating.
Key Takeaway
Set a renewal reminder well before your annual due date - with no CE requirement standing in the way, a missed renewal is almost always a matter of forgetting, not failing to qualify.
Who Hires an ALS?
Andrology Laboratory Scientists typically work in settings where male fertility testing and reproductive diagnostics are part of routine clinical operations:
- Hospital-affiliated clinical laboratories with andrology or reproductive medicine divisions
- Fertility clinics and reproductive endocrinology practices
- Independent reference laboratories that process semen analysis and related specialty testing
- Sperm banks and cryopreservation facilities
Employers in these settings value the ALS credential because it signals that a candidate has met a defined, third-party-verified standard rather than simply claiming on-the-job familiarity with andrology procedures. If you're weighing whether the certification translates into better job prospects or pay in your market, ALS Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis and ALS Jobs are useful next reads, and Is the ALS Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 weighs the credential against the time and fees required to earn it.
How to Prepare Without Wasting Time
Generic study advice - flashcards, timed drills, spaced repetition - only helps once it's pointed at the right content. For ALS candidates, that means allocating your early study weeks to Basic Knowledge material specifically, since it must be passed at your first sitting and often covers material candidates haven't touched since earlier coursework.
Basic Knowledge Foundations
- Review general laboratory principles, safety, and quality control concepts
- Take timed practice questions under 90-minute conditions to build pacing
Andrology Specialty Content
- Focus on semen analysis procedures, sperm function testing, and reporting standards
- Cross-reference weak areas against domain breakdowns rather than re-reading everything
Simulated Testing
- Run full-length, no-notes, no-calculator practice exams for both domains
- Confirm you're consistently clearing 60% with margin, not scraping by
Since calculators and outside notes are prohibited, any prep that leans on reference sheets during practice will backfire - train the way you'll test. A structured plan built around the actual domain names and question format matters more than generic exam-taking tips. Our ALS Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt lays out a full week-by-week plan, and ALS Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass explains exactly what 60% means in practice for each exam. You can also start running practice questions now to get a baseline before you commit to a fixed schedule.
If you want a fast-reference summary once you've done the deeper reading, ALS Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts condenses the must-know facts from both domains onto a single page. And if you're still deciding whether the pass rate and difficulty justify the time investment, ALS Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows lays out what's publicly known without guesswork. You can also explore more practice resources as part of your prep routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Same-day testing is common and reflected in the $320 total fee structure, but the key rule is that Basic Knowledge must be your first sitting - check current ABOR scheduling policy for whether same-day is required or optional in your situation.
You need 60% or higher on both the Basic Knowledge Examination and the Andrology Examination. Each is scored independently, so a strong result on one doesn't compensate for a weak result on the other.
It's a provisional certification for candidates who have completed the education requirement but haven't yet finished the required clinical training or three months of high-complexity andrology laboratory experience.
No. ABOR does not require continuing education for renewal. Certification simply renews annually for $115, though the file closes if you go three years without renewing.
No. Both the Basic Knowledge and Andrology examinations prohibit calculators and outside notes, so all preparation should be done without relying on reference materials during practice tests.