There are three pathways through which to apply for initial registration with the CMLTA. These pathways are determined by the length of time that the applicant has worked as a medical laboratory technologist (MLT) and the status of their certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS).

Becoming a regulated member of the CMLTA is a legal requirement for any individual to be employed and practice as a MLT in Alberta. Only individuals with a valid CMLTA registration and practice permit may practice as an MLT in Alberta and use the protected titles “medical laboratory technologist” and “MLT”. It is unlawful for an individual to practice as an MLT or to present themselves as an MLT without CMLTA registration.

The CMLTA will determine the appropriate register for each applicant by the formal program of study completed and the corresponding CSMLS certification examination that the applicant successfully challenged. For example, if an individual completed a formal general MLT program of study and successfully challenged the general CSMLS certification examination, this individual would be issued a registration and general MLT practice permit.

There are three possible pathways for applicants to apply for initial registration with the CMLTA depending on the length of time since graduation from their graduation.

• New graduate
• Recent graduate
• Regular MLT

The following routes are applicable to those who have graduated from a CMLTA-approved MLT program. If you have not graduated from an approved program, please contact the CMLTA for more information.

Please review the following information prior to completing the online application form.

New Graduate

This pathway is applicable for an applicant who graduated from a CMLTA-approved program within one year prior to application and possesses CSMLS certification (or a CSMLS Confirmation of Examination Registration email for provisional registration). MLT graduates from Quebec are exempt from the CSMLS certification requirement but must currently be registered in Quebec with a comparable practice permit.

Applicants are required to submit:

• A completed application form
• A copy of the degree/diploma from a completed, approved MLT program. In lieu of the degree/diploma, an official sealed transcript sent directly to the CMLTA from the education institution or an e-transcript will be accepted. The date your diploma/degree was awarded must be stated on the transcript. A completion letter from the education institution stating the date your diploma/degree will be awarded will also be accepted in lieu of the degree/diploma.
• Verification of CSMLS certification (a copy of certificate or examination results)
  • MLT graduates from Quebec are exempt
• Evidence of English language proficiency, if MLT education was not instructed in English
• Evidence of good character and reputation
  • Letter of standing from other governing body, if the applicant has most recently been registered in another Canadian province
  • Criminal Record Check within 90 days of application (from local police service or online from Backcheck.net)
  • Other evidence as requested through the application form
• Remittance of the required registration dues and applicable fees as per the CMLTA Fee Schedule

Applicants are also required to complete the CMLTA Jurisprudence Examination.

Once an application for an MLT practice permit is approved, the applicant is notified via email. The expiry of the permit aligns with the end of the CMLTA’s registration year which is December 31.

If the applicant does not have CSMLS certification, they may apply for a provisional practice permit.

This is appropriate for an applicant who has registered for but has not yet successfully challenged the CSMLS certification exam or is awaiting results. Under a provisional practice permit, the MLT must work under the direct supervision of another MLT. Direct supervision means that the supervising MLT is physically present and available to assist the provisional member.

An applicant for a provisional practice permit is required to submit:

• A completed application form
• A copy of a CSMLS Confirmation of Examination Registration email for the most recently scheduled examination in the calendar year for which results have not yet been received (applicants must contact the CSMLS directly to register for the certification examination)
• Academic transcript or copy of degree/diploma from the completed, approved MLT program
  • For initial registration, an unofficial transcript will be accepted if an official one is not yet available from the granting institution. The date the diploma was awarded must be stated on the unofficial transcript. An official, sealed transcript sent directly from the education institution, an e-transcript, or a copy of the degree/diploma must be provided to the CMLTA when it becomes available.
  • A completion letter from the education institution stating the date your degree will be awarded will also be accepted in lieu.
• Evidence of good character and reputation
  • Letter of standing from other governing body, if the applicant has been registered in another Canadian province
  • Criminal Record Check within 90 days of application (from local police service or online from Backcheck.net)
  • Other evidence as requested through the application form
• Remittance of the required registration dues and applicable fees as per the CMLTA Fee Schedule

Applicants are also required to complete the CMLTA Jurisprudence Examination.

Once an application for a provisional practice permit is approved, the applicant is notified via email. The expiry of the permit aligns with the end of the CMLTA’s registration year which is December 31.

The CSMLS exam results process and timelines can be viewed on their website.

Once the provisional member has received verification of successful certification from the CSMLS (certificate or examination results) and their MLT degree/diploma, they must upload these documents in their CMLTA member profile under “Additional Document Upload”. An official e-transcript (stating the date the MLT diploma/degree was awarded) will be accepted in lieu of a diploma/degree. Once received, the MLT will be moved from the provisional register to the applicable full register (e.g., General, Clinical Genetics) and receive a new MLT practice permit.

As per Section 9 (5) of the Medical Laboratory Technologists Profession Regulation, an extension of no more than three months after the next scheduled CSMLS certification examination may be requested prior to a Provisional MLT Practice Permit expiring. This request must be in writing and may be emailed to the Registrar at cmltaregistrar@cmlta.org. Proof that you are registered to write the next CSMLS certification exam must also be provided as part of the extension request.

As per the Health Professions Act, applicants who have registered and have been issued a provisional practice permit, and do not agree with this registration decision, have 30 days to request a review by Council of this registration decision. Please contact the CMLTA for more information.

Recent Graduate

This pathway is applicable for an applicant who graduated two to four years prior to application from a CMLTA-approved MLT program and possesses CSMLS certification. MLT graduates from Quebec are exempt from the CSMLS certification requirement but must currently be registered in Quebec with a comparable practice permit.

Applicants are required to submit:

• A completed application form
• A copy of the degree/diploma from the completed, approved MLT program. In lieu of the degree/diploma, an official sealed transcript sent directly to the CMLTA from the education institution or an e-transcript will be accepted. The date your diploma/degree was awarded must be stated on the transcript.
• Verification of CSMLS certification (a copy of certificate or examination results)
  • MLT graduates from Quebec are exempt
• Evidence of English language proficiency, if MLT education was not instructed in English
• Evidence of good character and reputation
  • Letter of standing from other governing body, if the applicant has been registered in another Canadian province
  • Criminal Record Check within 90 days of application (from local police service or online from Backcheck.net)
  • Other evidence as requested through the application form
• Remittance of the required registration dues and applicable fees as per the CMLTA Fee Schedule

Applicants are also required to complete the CMLTA Jurisprudence Examination.

Regular MLT

This pathway is applicable for an applicant who graduated from a CMLTA-approved MLT program more than four years prior to application and possesses CSMLS certification. MLT graduates from Quebec are exempt from the CSMLS certification requirement but must currently be registered in Quebec with a comparable practice permit.

Applicants are required to submit:

• A completed application form
• A copy of the degree/diploma from the completed, approved MLT program. In lieu of the degree/diploma, an official sealed transcript sent directly to the CMLTA from the education institution or an e-transcript will be accepted. The date your diploma/degree was awarded must be stated on the transcript.
• Verification of CSMLS certification (a copy of certificate or examination results)
  • MLT graduates from Quebec are exempt
• Evidence of 900 practice hours in the four years immediately preceding the date of application. Evidence may be in the form of:
  • Letter of standing from the regulatory College, if they are from a regulated province
  • Letter from an employer verifying the MLT hours, if they are from an unregulated province
    • If an applicant does not have 900 hours, the applicant must complete a general MLT refresher education program, or a Diagnostic Cytologist/Clinical Genetics/Internationally Educated MLT refresher education program, as approved by the CMLTA Council, within two years prior to the date of the registration application.
• Evidence of English language proficiency, if MLT education was not instructed in English
• Evidence of good character and reputation
  • Letter of standing from other governing body, if the applicant has been registered in another Canadian province
  • Criminal Record Check within 90 days of application (from local police service or online from Backcheck.net)
  • Other evidence as requested through the application form
• Remittance of the required registration dues and applicable fees as per the CMLTA Fee Schedule

Applicants are also required to complete the CMLTA Jurisprudence Examination.

Click here to submit an application form if your MLT education was completed in Canada.