Registration
IMPORTANT: New changes affecting the CSMLS MLT examination and Prior Learning Assessments. Please click here to learn more.
All CSMLS Exams must be written in Canada, regardless of the testing method.
Applicants must wait 24 hours after receiving the CSMLS registration confirmation email to schedule their exam seat at a Prometric test location (in-person or remotely proctored).
Candidates must schedule their CSMLS Exam seat, through Prometric, no later than 30 days before the Exam session they are registered for.
Clinical Genetics Exams can ONLY be written at a test center.
We cannot guarantee the availability of CSMLS Exam seats after this date.
Before submitting an Exam registration, all applicants must read the Exam Handbook and indicate that they agree to abide by the policies and rules found within it.
Particular attention should be placed on the Test Centre Rules (which include both in-person testing and remote proctored testing) found in Appendix II of the Exam Handbook.
Registration is open to applicants who have successfully completed, or will successfully complete, an EQual™ accredited Canadian Medical Laboratory educational program 14 days to 12 months prior to the Exam they register for.
Online registration is open to all PLA clients who are residents of Canada and have received a Statement of Eligibility to the CSMLS National Certification Exam, providing the Eligibility Statement is not expired.
PLA clients who are non-residents of Canada and have received a Statement of Eligibility to the CSMLS National Certification Exam, can only register by submitting a “paper” application, providing their Eligibility Statement is not expired. The completed application must be sent with payment by email to exam@csmls.org or by fax or mail.
All candidates will be verified as eligible to take the Exam prior to the Exam they have registered for. If you are found ineligible to take the Exam and your registration is cancelled, you may lose that attempt (considered a fail) and you may receive a partial or no refund, depending on timing. Candidates verified by a program as not being eligible to take the exam will receive a full refund if the program provides the information by the due date on the verification form for that exam session. For our cancellation policy, please see below.
Once candidates have registered for the exam they will be provided with an “Exam Registration Confirmation” email which includes a link with instructions to schedule an appointment with the CSMLS exam vendor (Prometric). The link brings candidates to Prometric’s website where candidates will be able to log in to schedule their exam time and location.
Candidates will only be able to schedule their seat during the exam session that is indicated on their Exam Registration Confirmation email. Candidates are responsible for scheduling their exam time and location either for IPT, at various Testing Centres located across Canada, or through RPT, online. Space is limited at Test Centres and we cannot guarantee a candidate’s preferred exam time and location; registering and scheduling early will help candidates choose their best seat time and location.
Candidates who choose IPT are responsible for finding their own way to the correct Testing Centre location and arriving on time. CSMLS is not responsible for any travel/accommodation arrangements that may be required to be made by candidates.
Candidates who choose RPT between the hours of 19:00 to 07:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST) will not be able to access help from the CSMLS office staff.
Eligible candidates who want to reschedule the time or location of their exam appointment can do so by clicking “Reschedule” on the CSMLS-Prometric webpage under either “Test Center Exam” or “Remotely Proctored Exam”.
The following timelines and fees apply.
Rescheduling Fee Schedule*
Exam Time/Site Appointment
Rescheduling Period |
Rescheduling Fee |
| 30 or more days before exam date |
None |
| 5-29 days before scheduled exam date |
$35 per reschedule, if available. Paid directly to the exam vendor. |
| Less than 5 days before exam date |
No changes are allowed |
*All fees are subject to change without notice.
Candidates who want to cancel their Exam registration, must cancel at least fourteen (14) days before the Exam date, in writing, to receive a partial refund of the Exam fee. There is a non-refundable processing fee for this process.
Cancelling an exam attempt may result in the loss of that attempt and may be considered a failed exam attempt.
Candidates are NOT ALLOWED to cancel their Exam through Prometric. Candidates who do this will lose their Exam fee and may lose their Exam attempt. Candidates must complete and submit the Request for Exam Cancellation form to the CSMLS office (exam@csmls.org).
Cancellation Fee Schedule*
| Cancellation Period |
Cancellation Fee |
| 14 or more days prior to the exam date |
CSMLS will refund exam fee less the non-refundable processing fee
Non-member surcharges are not refunded. |
| Less than 14 days (0-13 days) before exam date |
No refund provided |
*All fees are subject to change without notice.
Candidates that change their name or contact information (address, telephone number or email), must notify the CSMLS as soon as possible using the Change of Information Request Form.
Official supporting documentation must be provided with your form.
Unless the Change of Information Request form is sent, all exam correspondence, including exam results, will be sent to the address written on the exam application and/or the email address on file.
Candidates who are interested in receiving an Exam accommodation must NOT register online for the Exam. Candidates need to contact the CSMLS office at exam@csmls.org to obtain the necessary steps and forms.
If a candidate has registered online for an Exam session, their request for an Exam accommodation will not be considered.
The deadline to apply for an Exam accommodation is the last day before registration opens for the desired Exam session.
Exam accommodation requests received after this deadline (registration opening date) will be reviewed but may not granted or only partially granted depending on the type of accommodation requested.
Please be aware that different regulatory colleges may require you to meet specific language benchmarks before issuing a license or allowing you to take your examination. Please click below for more information
Exam Eligibility in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan (Additional Requirements):
Please be advised that candidates who have successfully passed the CSMLS certification exam or have met the CSMLS’ eligibility requirements to sit for the certification exam are required by the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) to meet its language proficiency requirements when applying for registration as an MLT in Ontario. Applicants who have not successfully completed a Canadian accredited medical laboratory science program must provide the CMLTO with proof of achievement of the minimum scores in one of the Registration Committee-approved language fluency tests. For further information, please go to the following website: http://www.cmlto.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1317&Itemid=757. Please direct any questions regarding this policy to the CMLTO Registration Department, phone: 416-861-9605 [toll-free in Canada: 1-800-323-9672] ext. 1, or by email:registration@cmlto.com
Please be advised, effective December 1, 2019, the provincial regulator, Saskatchewan Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists (SSMLT) requires all new membership applicants to meet the general requirements for membership as outlined in the SSMLT bylaws, section 7. This includes language requirements.Even though a candidate may be able to write the CSMLS MLT certification exam and/or may be certified, to be eligible to work in Saskatchewan you must be licensed by SSMLT. Effective December 1, 2019, new applicants to SSMLT must meet all the general requirements of membership. Please direct any questions regarding SSMLT application to the SSMLT office, phone: 306-352-6791, or email:info@ssmlt.org, please add ‘Membership requirements’ to the subject line.
Please be advised the College of Medical Laboratory Technologist of Manitoba (CMLTM), the provincial regulator, has final authority on the eligibility of all MLT exam candidates writing in Manitoba. This affects all MLT certification exam candidates writing in the province of Manitoba. We recommend you ensure you are able to write the MLT certification exam in Manitoba by contacting CMLTM. Office contact: phone, 204-231-0311 or 877-331-0311; fax, 204-489-7300; email, orjanelle@cmltm.ca; CMLTM Registrar: adam@cmltm.ca; Deputy Registrar: tricia@cmltm.ca
SSMLT has final authority on MLT exam candidates residing in Saskatchewan. This includes additional SSMLT requirements for all MLT Exam candidates who would like to register for their second or third CSMLS MLT Exam attempt in Saskatchewan. Contact SSMLT at 1-306-352-6791 or info@ssmlt.org for more information.
NSCMLT is taking care of all NS MLT exam candidates who have failed their second attempt before they are allowed to register for a third Exam attempt. These candidates are asked to contact NSCMLT at 902-789-6465 or info@nscmlt.org.