Working in BC as a Medical Laboratory Technologist or as a Medical Laboratory Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technologist
To work as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada, all applicants must demonstrate that they have the necessary education, recent clinical experience, and have passed the required entry-to-practice examinations
British Columbia recognizes the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) as the national body responsible for setting the national competency profile for medical laboratory technologists and administering prior learning assessments and fields-of-practice competency assessments (examinations).
CAMLPR has developed a Flexible Pathways to Registration program with three pathways for individuals to choose from, depending on their education and experience:
Choose your pathway:
1. Educated in a Canadian Medical Laboratory Technology program: Effective March 1, 2026
This pathway is for individuals that have graduated from a CAMLPR-approved Canadian medical laboratory technology/science program in Canada.
If you are just starting your educational journey, British Columbia offers two CAMLPR-approved medical laboratory technology programs. The BCIT MLT program in Burnaby, and the College of New Caledonia CNC MLT program in Prince George will provide you with the education and clinical experience you need to be eligible to register for the CAMLPR fields-of practice examination.
If you are a student completing a Canadian Medical Laboratory Technology program prior to March 1, 2026, please consult with your program.
2. Educated internationally in a Medical Laboratory Technology/Science program: Effective November 1, 2025
This pathway is for individuals who completed a medical laboratory technology/science program outside of Canada
If this pathway is applicable to you, CAMLPR will conduct a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) of your education to confirm that your education is comparable to a CAMLPR-approved program before you can register for CAMLPR fields-of-practice examinations.
3. Non-traditionally educated in a field related to medical laboratory technology/science: Effective November 1, 2025
This pathway is for individuals who completed their education in a field of study related to medical laboratory technology/science such as those with an academic credential of BSc., MSc., or PhD
If this pathway is applicable to you, CAMLPR will conduct a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) of your education to confirm that your education is comparable to a CAMLPR-approved program before you can register for CAMLPR fields-of-practice examinations.
For more information, please visit the CAMLPR website https://camlpr.org/become-an-mlt/
medical laboratory assistant
To work as a Medical Laboratory Assistant in BC, it is recommended that you complete a BCSLS-approved medical laboratory assistant program. The BCSLS is recognized as the body responsible for setting the BC Medical Laboratory Assistant competency profile and the BC Medical Laboratory Assistant provincial curriculum to ensure graduates have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to work in a BC medical laboratory as a Medical Laboratory Assistant. Graduates of BCSLS-approved medical laboratory assistant programs can apply for certification from the BCSLS upon graduation.
To find a BCSLS-approved program, please visit https://www.bcsls.net/bcslsmlaprograms
BCSLS Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant: Certification communicates to employers and other health care professionals that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to work in a BC medical laboratory as a Medical Laboratory Assistant. BCSLS members that are also BCSLS certified Medial Laboratory Assistants are also eligible for professional liability insurance.
There are two options for applying for certification:
Option 1: Graduate from a BCSLS-approved Medical Laboratory Assistant program
If you graduated from a BCSLS-approved Medical Laboratory Assistant program, upon graduation, you can apply for certification from the BCSLS. Check to see if your program is BCSLS-approved by visiting https://www.bcsls.net/bcslsmlaprograms
Option 2: Graduate from a Medical Laboratory Assistant program not approved by the BCSLS
If you graduated from a program not approved from the BCSLS then you will need to successfully write the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (MLPAO) MLA certification exam or the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLA certification exam.
In addition to providing evidence of passing one of these exams, you will also need to:
o Demonstrate a minimum of 120 hours working in a laboratory
o Provide evidence of successfully completing education in ECG
o Demonstrate competence in the performance of ECGs
Applicants for BCSLS certification must submit the following with their application
o Proof of MLA certification from MLPAO or CSMLS
o Resume indicating recency of practice in a medical laboratory and recency of practice performing ECGs indicating the most recent location/facility in which ECGs were performed, the approximate date when ECGs were last performed, and the approximate number of ECGs performed in the past five (5) years
o A letter from a medical laboratory employer verifying a minimum of 120 hours of work experience as a medical laboratory assistant and verification that you routinely performed ECGs in your employment with an attestation that you have demonstrated competency in performing 12 lead ECGs, patient preparation including placement of leads, detecting and correction of artifacts, recognizing rhythms indicating critical values and response, operating and maintaining ECG equipment. (Note: the verification and attestation of ECG competence and experience may come from a medical laboratory employer or cardiac services employer.) The verification and attestation letter must be sent by the employer directly to BCSLS by emailing bcsls@bcsls.net
o The name and location of the post-secondary institution/program that ECG education was completed
o The date the ECG education was completed
o Evidence of successful completion of the ECG education (e.g., certificate, transcript)
o The course outline or course syllabus for the ECG focused course(s)
o The number of hours of theory and lab classes focused on ECG
o The number of hours focused in performing ECGs in a clinical placement
o The approximate number of ECGs performed in a clinical placement
Please ensure that all documentation required is submitted at the time of application, and that BCSLS has received employer letters of verification and attestation as each application is reviewed once. If the Certification Committee determines that insufficient information or evidence was provided at the time of review, the application for certification will not be approved and re-application, including payment of application fees, will be required.
medical laboratory technician
Medical Laboratory Technicians (not Technologist) - We are aware that in Eastern Canada there are medical lab technicians. BC does not recognize this designation. You will need to upgrade to a Medical Lab Technologist or find work as an Medical Lab Assistant.