Health Sciences

Certificate in Science Laboratory Technician

The Certificate in Science Laboratory Technician is a KNEC Craft Certificate programme that trains students in laboratory techniques, equipment operation, and scientific analysis skills. The course is examined by KNEC and offered across accredited TVET institutions in Kenya. Students learn laboratory techniques, analytical methods, equipment maintenance, microtechnique, data analysis, and laboratory safety.

The curriculum covers communication skills, mathematics, information communication technology, entrepreneurship, and occupational safety. Core units include introduction to laboratory science, laboratory techniques, analytical methods, microtechnique, data analysis, laboratory computing, equipment maintenance, laboratory management basics, scientific communication, laboratory safety and quality, and industrial attachment in a laboratory environment.

Kenya's health sector, research institutions, educational institutions, and industrial quality control laboratories create demand for certified science laboratory technicians. Hospitals, schools, research organisations, and manufacturing companies require trained laboratory personnel for testing, analysis, and laboratory support operations.

Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in laboratory environments. Students practice analytical methods, microscopy, equipment maintenance, data analysis, and laboratory safety under supervised conditions. The programme includes industrial attachment in hospital laboratories, school labs, or research institutions where students apply their skills in real laboratory environments.

Graduates work as laboratory technicians, analytical assistants, quality control laboratory assistants, research laboratory assistants, and school laboratory technicians in hospitals, schools, research institutions, and manufacturing companies. The qualification provides a foundation for progression to Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology for specialised laboratory technology and management roles.

This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of D (plain) who are interested in science and laboratory work and seeking technical positions in laboratory analysis and scientific support environments.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

8 subjects

Laboratory Techniques
Analytical Methods
Equipment Maintenance
Laboratory Computing
Data Analysis
Laboratory Management Basics
Scientific Communication
Laboratory Safety and Quality

Modules

10 in the programme

Introduction to Laboratory Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Laboratory science concepts, disciplines, and career opportunities for science laboratory technician training and practice.
Laboratory Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical laboratory techniques across chemistry, biology, and physics including solution preparation, filtration, and distillation.
Analytical Methods
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Analytical procedures, titration, spectrophotometry, and chromatography basics for chemical and biological laboratory analysis.
Equipment Maintenance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Maintaining and calibrating laboratory equipment and instruments including microscopes, balances, and analytical devices.
Laboratory Computing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications in laboratory data management and analysis including LIMS, spreadsheet analysis, and digital data handling.
Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Recording, analysing, and interpreting laboratory data including statistical methods, error analysis, and result reporting.
Laboratory Management Basics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Laboratory organisation, inventory management, and procurement including stock control, reagent management, and lab administration.
Scientific Communication
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Report writing, results presentation, and scientific communication including lab reports, data visualisation, and documentation.
Laboratory Safety and Quality
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Laboratory safety, quality assurance, and standard operating procedures including chemical safety, biosafety, and QA protocols.
Microtechnique
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Microscopy, slide preparation, staining, and microtechnique procedures for biological and medical laboratory examinations.

Specialisations

Chemical Analysis
Focus on chemical analytical techniques and testing including titration, spectrophotometry, and chromatography for chemical analysis.
Quality Control
Specialisation in quality control laboratory testing including QC procedures, reference standards, and quality assurance protocols.
Research Support
Focus on supporting research laboratory operations including experiment setup, data collection, and research assistance.
Biological Laboratory
Specialisation in biological laboratory techniques including microscopy, staining, culturing, and biological sample analysis.

A day as a student

Students attend theory classes on analytical methods and laboratory management, followed by extensive lab sessions in equipment operation, analytical testing, data recording, and quality control. Laboratory attachment provides real working experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Laboratory skills are in demand across education, health, research, and industry.
Clear pathway to diploma and degree in laboratory sciences.
Diverse career options across multiple sectors.

Against it

Requires strong science background and attention to detail.
Working with chemicals and biological samples requires strict safety compliance.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public37k to 67k

37k at Kabete Technical Training Institute67k at Public TVET (standardised fee)

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Public: Kabete 37,070, TVET 67,189/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com). Private: unverified.

TVET government funding and HELB loans are available. Research institutions sometimes offer internship opportunities.

Funding options

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Funding
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) - TVET Loans

Scholarships

4 recorded

TVET Funding
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions, based on financial need.
HELB TVET Loans
LoanKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions, based on financial need.
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
BursaryKenyan
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties, targeting vulnerable learners.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain)
Alternative entry: Artisan Certificate in a relevant field or equivalent qualification.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Test20% of the mark
Regular tests on laboratory methods, safety, and data analysis.
Final Certificate Examination
Exam100% of the mark
KNEC national examination for certificate in science laboratory technician.
Practical Laboratory Exercises
Practicum40% of the mark
Hands-on assessment of analytical techniques, equipment operation, and testing procedures.
Laboratory Project
Project20% of the mark
Complete a series of analytical tests or a laboratory investigation project.

Accreditation

Accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and examined by Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF). The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all TVET institutions and programmes in Kenya.
Kenya National Examination Council
NationalRequired
Examining body for national certificate and craft certificate programmes under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Analytical Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 90,000
Support analytical testing and data recording in laboratories.
Laboratory Technician
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 95,000
Perform laboratory tests and support scientific investigations.
Research Laboratory Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 46,000 to Ksh 88,000
Support research activities in research institutions and universities.
Quality Control Laboratory Assistant
High demandKsh 49,000 to Ksh 92,000
Support quality control testing in manufacturing and processing.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as laboratory technicians and analytical assistants in schools, hospitals, research institutions, and manufacturing companies across Kenya.