Certification
CSMLS certifies medical laboratory professionals to ensure patients are cared for safely and effectively every day. CSMLS certification is accepted anywhere in Canada and is required in most regulated provinces.
Follow These Steps toEarn Your Certification
One of our major functions is to conduct the CSMLS National Certification Exams across Canada and issue certificates to candidates who meet the standards.
CSMLS Certification is a formal way to demonstrate your proficiency with, and comprehension of, a body of knowledge.
Get Started With Your Certification Process Today:
01.
Check Your Eligibility
Find out if you meet the requirements to sit the exam. Read the CSMLS Exam Handbook to know what eligibility policies or rules you fall under.
01.
Check Your Eligibility
Find out if you meet the requirements to sit the exam. Read the CSMLS Exam Handbook to know what eligibility policies or rules you fall under.
02.
Register for Your Exam
Once you have determined your eligibility to sit the exam, read the exam handbook and submit your registration form for the exam
02.
Register for Your Exam
Once you have determined your eligibility to sit the exam, read the exam handbook and submit your registration form for the exam
03.
Prepare for Your Exam
Once you have registered for your exam, take advantage of CSMLS study resources to prepare
03.
Prepare for Your Exam
Once you have registered for your exam, take advantage of CSMLS study resources to prepare
04.
Take Your Exam
Schedule a remote proctored or in-person exam and come prepared
04.
Take Your Exam
Schedule a remote proctored or in-person exam and come prepared
What’s Next?
Do You Meet TheRequirements?
Have you completed an EQual™ accredited program of study?
If you have successfully completed an EQualTM accredited Canadian medical laboratory educational program at least two weeks before the exam session start date, you are eligible to challenge the CSMLS National Certification Examination within 12 months of completing your program.
Have you completed a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)?
The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a process created by CSMLS to assess your academic credentials (theory and practical), clinical training, clinical work experience and language proficiency (MLT only), to determine your eligibility to challenge the exam. The PLA process is intended for:
- Those who have successfully completed a non-EQualTM accredited Canadian educational program
- Those who have successfully completed an EQualTM accredited educational program more than 12 months prior to the Exam date
- Internationally educated medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs)
- Those currently working as non-CSMLS certified MLAs in Canada
Following completion of the PLA you will either:
- Be recognized to challenge the Exam
- Be required to complete an EQualTM accredited Canadian medical laboratory educational program
- Be partially recognized and required to complete an EQualTM accredited Canadian medical laboratory educational program (MLT only)
Register for Your Exam
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, have read and agreed to the Exam Handbook rules and policies, and you do not require an exam accommodation, you may submit your exam registration.
1 Confirm Your Eligibility
If you have successfully completed an EQualTM accredited program you will receive eligibility for a period of up to 12 months. If you successfully completed the PLA process or a re-establishing eligibility learning plan (RELP), you will receive a Statement of Eligibility to the CSMLS National Certification Exam.
2 Consult Exam Dates and Fees
Find a list of Exam dates and registration deadlines here
3 Do You Require a Testing Accommodation?
If you require a testing accommodation to remove a barrier to access a CSMLS exam, you may apply to the CSMLS office at exam@csmls.org. You MUST contact us BEFORE registration opens.
You CANNOT register online to receive an accommodation, as CSMLS requires official documentation before allowing any testing accommodation. Please contact exam@csmls.org as soon as possible.
4 Register Online or by Fax/Email
5 Receive Your Registration Confirmation Email
You must wait 24 hours after receiving the CSMLS registration confirmation email to schedule your exam seat at a Prometric test location (in-person or remotely proctored).
6 Schedule Your Exam with Prometric
Scheduling must be done no later than 30 days before the exam session, and you cannot take the exam outside of Canada.
Use the Prometric link in your confirmation email and follow the instructions.
Prepare for your exam
Use Competency Profiles to Your Advantage
Use the Competency Profiles to prepare for the CSMLS Exam by creating your own study guide using the Competency Profile for the exam you are writing. To help you, each Competency Profile includes the Examination Blueprint that identifies what percentage of each knowledge category is on the exam.
Take the CSMLS Practice Test
- Enhanced ‘Navigation’ information so you know how everything works
- Ability to ‘flag’ questions so you can come back to answer them later
- Access additional resources using the study tips and links provided
- All questions and your answers are displayed so you can see which questions you answered correctly
- A summary of results by competency is also provided, allowing you to see which areas need more focus
Sign up for an Exam Preparation Presentation
At the presentation we talk about the CSMLS, registering and preparing for the CSMLS Exams, demonstrate resources on our website, and answer questions during the live presentation. Candidates that sign up for the presentation will receive access to a recording of the presentation.
Review the Exam Handbook
All exam candidates are required to read and complete the Exam Handbook and Application.The Handbook contains all the information you need to prepare for writing the exam. It includes:
- Policies and procedures that candidates need to follow
- Explanation of how the exam is created and scored
- Details on how to apply for exams and eligibility criteria
- What to expect after you write the exam
- And much more!
Review Textbooks on the Reference Textbook List
All CSMLS certification exam answers are referenced to one or more textbook(s) from the reference textbook list. You are not expected to purchase or review all textbooks on the reference textbook list. These textbooks may be used as references when preparing for a CSMLS certification examination:
Take Your Exam
You can choose to take your CSMLS computer-based exam either in-person at a Prometric test center, or via remote proctoring with Prometric’s ProProctor platform in Canada.
You must bring government issued photo ID
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment to allow time for check-in procedures.