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ASCP BOC Qualification in Laboratory Safety (QLS) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
ASCP BOC Qualification in Laboratory Safety (QLS) Exam
The ASCP QLS exam is designed for experienced laboratory professionals with safety
responsibilities, covering five main content areas. Below are practice questions organized by the
official exam topic outline.
Section 1: Management (18-22%)
1. Which federal agency administers CLIA and sets quality standards for laboratory testing on
human specimens?
A) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
B) CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
C) CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
D) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Answer: B
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Rationale: CMS administers CLIA (42 CFR Part 493), which sets quality standards for laboratory
testing on human specimens. OSHA enforces worker safety standards, CDC provides guidelines,
and EPA oversees hazardous waste .
2. Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), what is the required
timeframe for reviewing and updating the Exposure Control Plan?
A) Every 5 years
B) Every 2 years
C) Annually
D) Only when new equipment is purchased
Answer: C
Rationale: The Exposure Control Plan must be reviewed and updated at least annually and be
accessible to all employees . This ensures the plan remains current with changes in technology,
procedures, and personnel.
3. Which of the following is a required component of an OSHA-compliant Exposure Control
Plan?
A) Job classifications with occupational exposure
B) Methods of compliance, including waste disposal procedures
C) Procedures for evaluating circumstances surrounding exposure incidents
D) All of the above
Answer: D
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Rationale: The Exposure Control Plan must identify job classifications with occupational
exposure, describe methods of compliance including waste disposal procedures, and include
procedures for evaluating exposure incidents .
4. Which section of the OSH Act requires employers to provide a workplace free from
recognized hazards?
A) Section 5(a)(1) - General Duty Clause
B) Section 5(b) - Employee Compliance
C) Section 6(a) - Standards Adoption
D) Section 8(a) - Inspections
Answer: A
Rationale: The General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) requires employers to
provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. Even when no specific standard addresses a
hazard, the General Duty Clause can be enforced .
5. Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), employers must:
A) Only provide training when new employees are hired
B) Maintain a written hazard communication program
C) Test all chemicals for toxicity before use
D) Provide safety data sheets only upon employee request
Answer: B
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Rationale: The Hazard Communication Standard requires a written hazard communication
program, labeling of containers, availability of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and employee training.
Training must be provided initially and when new hazards are introduced .
6. The Hierarchy of Controls places which control method at the highest level of effectiveness?
A) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
B) Engineering controls
C) Administrative controls
D) Elimination
Answer: D
Rationale: The Hierarchy of Controls ranks elimination as the most effective method, followed
by substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE as the least effective.
Elimination physically removes the hazard .
7. What is the minimum time requirement for experience to qualify for the QLS exam with an
existing ASCP certification?
A) 3 months
B) 6 months
C) 12 months
D) 18 months
Answer: B
ASCP BOC Qualification in Laboratory Safety (QLS) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
ASCP BOC Qualification in Laboratory Safety (QLS) Exam
The ASCP QLS exam is designed for experienced laboratory professionals with safety
responsibilities, covering five main content areas. Below are practice questions organized by the
official exam topic outline.
Section 1: Management (18-22%)
1. Which federal agency administers CLIA and sets quality standards for laboratory testing on
human specimens?
A) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
B) CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
C) CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
D) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Answer: B
, Page 2 of 115
Rationale: CMS administers CLIA (42 CFR Part 493), which sets quality standards for laboratory
testing on human specimens. OSHA enforces worker safety standards, CDC provides guidelines,
and EPA oversees hazardous waste .
2. Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), what is the required
timeframe for reviewing and updating the Exposure Control Plan?
A) Every 5 years
B) Every 2 years
C) Annually
D) Only when new equipment is purchased
Answer: C
Rationale: The Exposure Control Plan must be reviewed and updated at least annually and be
accessible to all employees . This ensures the plan remains current with changes in technology,
procedures, and personnel.
3. Which of the following is a required component of an OSHA-compliant Exposure Control
Plan?
A) Job classifications with occupational exposure
B) Methods of compliance, including waste disposal procedures
C) Procedures for evaluating circumstances surrounding exposure incidents
D) All of the above
Answer: D
, Page 3 of 115
Rationale: The Exposure Control Plan must identify job classifications with occupational
exposure, describe methods of compliance including waste disposal procedures, and include
procedures for evaluating exposure incidents .
4. Which section of the OSH Act requires employers to provide a workplace free from
recognized hazards?
A) Section 5(a)(1) - General Duty Clause
B) Section 5(b) - Employee Compliance
C) Section 6(a) - Standards Adoption
D) Section 8(a) - Inspections
Answer: A
Rationale: The General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) requires employers to
provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. Even when no specific standard addresses a
hazard, the General Duty Clause can be enforced .
5. Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), employers must:
A) Only provide training when new employees are hired
B) Maintain a written hazard communication program
C) Test all chemicals for toxicity before use
D) Provide safety data sheets only upon employee request
Answer: B
, Page 4 of 115
Rationale: The Hazard Communication Standard requires a written hazard communication
program, labeling of containers, availability of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and employee training.
Training must be provided initially and when new hazards are introduced .
6. The Hierarchy of Controls places which control method at the highest level of effectiveness?
A) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
B) Engineering controls
C) Administrative controls
D) Elimination
Answer: D
Rationale: The Hierarchy of Controls ranks elimination as the most effective method, followed
by substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE as the least effective.
Elimination physically removes the hazard .
7. What is the minimum time requirement for experience to qualify for the QLS exam with an
existing ASCP certification?
A) 3 months
B) 6 months
C) 12 months
D) 18 months
Answer: B
