The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) has announced that it is streamlining the process for assessing the credentials of internationally trained medical laboratory technologists.
CSMLS certifies medical laboratory technologists to ensure that they are competent to practice within a set of national standards. National certification examinations are offered in three disciplines; general medical laboratory technology, clinical genetics and diagnostic cytology. Graduates of accredited Canadian training programs are eligible to challenge the national certification examination(s). These training programs are subject to a rigorous accreditation process administered by the Conjoint Committee on Accreditation under the auspices of the Canadian Medical Association.
Internationally trained medical laboratory technologists may challenge the national examination(s) provided they meet eligibility requirements established by the CSMLS Council on National Certification. The process of establishing eligibility–called a Prior Learning Assessment–has three steps:
An evaluation of academic credentials to ensure that they are legitimate and equivalent to Canadian academic standards, conducted by The International Credential Evaluation Service Proof of successful completion of a language proficiency test (Toefel or CANTest) A thorough evaluation of the medical laboratory training program studied in their country of origin, experiential learning, professional development and work experience in medical laboratory technology. This part of the PLA process is conducted by CSMLS Previously, the prior learning assessment process was only open to those with landed immigrant status. CSMLS will now allow internationally trained medical laboratory technologists to access the prior learning assessment process from their country of residence.
"Removing the barrier to prior learning assessment will expedite the certification process for our internationally trained colleagues," says Eugene Smith, chair of the Council on National Certification. "We are committed to ensuring that their credentials are assessed fairly and efficiently while safeguarding the integrity of the national certification process."
For security reasons, certification examinations will only be administered in Canada to those who have acquired landed immigrant status. Information about the certification process for internationally trained medical laboratory technologists is available on the CSMLS web site at
CSMLS is the national certifying body for medical laboratory technologists. It represents 14,000 highly trained medical laboratory technologists who conduct sophisticated medical tests on blood, body fluids and tissue in hospitals, public and private laboratories, and in research facilities. Test results are used by physicians to evaluate and make informed decisions about their patients’ health and possible treatment, and to help further advances in medical research.