For more than 30 years, the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) has been administering a nationwide voluntary certification program for laboratory animal technicians. Depending on educational background and work experience, a technician may sit for an exam to become a certified Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT), or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG).

Each of the multiple-choice exams is designed to measure the test-takers' competency in animal husbandry, facility management, and animal health and welfare. Nowadays, many laboratory animal care positions require AALAS certification.

Here we asked several technicians who recently passed the ALAT, LAT, or LATG certification exam what advice they would give to someone preparing to take the test themselves.

“The best study aid I had was a set of AALAS in a FLASH cards. They helped all the way until my test date. Also, we have a training coordinator here at Penn who gives us study sessions once a week.”

Deborah A. Whitehouse, RALAT

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

“Have a designated place to study and study a little every day. The designated study area helps you to focus on your task and you can let others know not to disturb you while you are there. Studying a little every day helps you to make steady progress toward your goal and keeps you from cramming right before your test.”

Julia B. Drake, MS, CMAR, RLATG

National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health

Priority One Services Contractor

Bethesda, MD

“Get as much hands-on training as possible. I could read the information and remember most of it but getting to work with the equipment or performing a procedure is what really helped me understand the subject. I would even suggest getting in contact with other facilities to access some equipment/procedures that you may not have the opportunity to be exposed to at your current job site.”

Mark Lawson, LATG

National Institutes of Health

Priority One Services Contractor

Bethesda, MD

“We highly recommend taking a review course—it was a great review of the information in all three AALAS books and provided additional information that was not in the books. Definitely review the Animal Welfare Act, PHS Policy, and the Guide, and pay close attention to the GLPs. Also during the test be familiar with real lab animal facility situations to answer questions, as the test focused less on straight knowledge and more on situational knowledge.”

Kenneth Jeffries, LATG

Karen Keeran, LATG Gayle Zywicke, LATG

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health

Bethesda, MD

“When I received my confirmation letter to take the test I made sure to schedule my test a month before the actual deadline so that I would push myself to study harder. A few days before test date I felt I was not ready and I decided to push back the test date. The new test date was the last chance I had to take the testand I knew that it was all or nothing.”

Jonathan DeJesus, ALAT

Rockefeller University

New York, NY

“Study for the AALAS exams by working in small groups—it is easier to brainstorm, and fosters a team spirit.”

Marin Santore, ALAT

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Princton, NJ

“While reading the books I would take notes on what I read, but instead of writing down what was in the book I would write it down how I understood it or how I could remember it (mnemonic devices).”

Jose D. Chinchilla, LVT, ALAT

National Institutes of Health

Priority One Services Contractor

Bethesda, MD

“Making flash cards while studying from the AALAS Training Manual really aided me in remembering the information that I found to be difficult to understand or remember. I would test myself by randomly picking a card and answering them correctly, which helped me to retain the information. I found this especially helpful with the 'Species Characteristics and Breeding Data' appendix.”

Heather Price, ALAT

National Institutes of Health

Priority One Services Contractor

Bethesda, MD

“To prepare for any AALAS certification test, you should purchase the study bundle, which will include a manual, workbook, and CD. After each chapter you read, do the related worksheet and if you have any questions ask your supervisor. Next, go to the CD and take the quiz for that chapter. If any of your coworkers are taking the same exam as you, consider forming a study group to help answer confusing questions.”

Lisa Newhouse, RLAT, RVT

MannKind Corporation

Valencia, CA