Internationally Educated MLTs (IEMLTs) are individuals that have completed a formal MLT program of study outside of Canada.

Click here for a summary of the following information.

If you are an internationally educated MLT wanting to practice in Alberta, please follow these steps:

1. Contact the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) at csmls.org to request a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
   • The PLA will establish Canadian equivalency to determine your readiness to challenge the applicable CSMLS certification examination. The PLA process takes, on average, 18 months to complete. You do not need to be a resident of Canada to start the PLA process. Immigration and CMLTA registration are two separate processes and approval for immigration does not guarantee success in the CMLTA registration process.
2. Register for the CSMLS Examination
3. Apply to the CMLTA
   • If an IEMLT applicant has CSMLS certification, they may apply for an MLT practice permit. IEMLTs with CSMLS certification, a PLA dated more than four years ago, and lack the minimum 900 MLT practice hours in the previous four years; must complete a refresher education program approved by Council within two years prior to the date of the application is received by the CMLTA. For information regarding refresher education, please click here.

Applicants are required to submit:

• • • • A completed application
      • A CSMLS PLA stating equivalency and examination eligibility
      • Verification of CSMLS certification (a copy of certificate or examination results)
      • Evidence of English language proficiency, if MLT education was not instructed in English
      • Evidence of good character and reputation
        • 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

Completed applications are usually processed within 10 business days. 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.

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

• • If an IEMLT 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 IEMLT applicant for a provisional practice permit is required to submit:

• • • A completed application form
    • A CSMLS PLA stating equivalency and examination eligibility
    • 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)
      • Evidence of English language proficiency, if MLT education was not instructed in English.
    • Evidence of good character and reputation
      • 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

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.

Completed applications are usually processed within 10 business days. 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.

After Passing the CSMLS Exam

Once the provisional member has received verification of successful certification from the CSMLS, they must provide a copy of the certificate or examination results to the CMLTA by uploading the documents in the MLT’s member profile under “Change My Registration”.

Once received, the MLT will be moved from the provisional register to the applicable full register (e.g., General, Clinical Genetics, Diagnostic Cytology) and receive a new MLT practice permit.

Registration Review

As per section 31 of the Health Professions Act, applicants who have registered and have been issued a provisional practice permit have 30 days to request a review by Council of this registration decision.

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

Resources for IEMLTs

Bridging Programs
Bridging programs are refresher courses for individuals who have already completed post-secondary studies in medical laboratory technology and wish to re-enter the workforce and practice their profession again or for individuals who trained outside of Canada and wish to practice their profession in Canada. Bridging programs provide support and training needed because of the knowledge gap detected in a CSMLS PLA. To learn more about bridging programs offered in Canada, click on the following links:

• Anderson College
• The Michener Institute

CSMLS
For information on the national certification exam, please visit the CSMLS website (www.csmls.org) or contact CSMLS at 1.800.263.6277.

The CSMLS assists internationally trained professionals find employment in Canada. There are many career options and potential career alternatives for individuals that want to use their medical laboratory skills in a non-licensed or unregulated field. To learn more, please visit the Alternate Careers website.

Directions for Immigrants in Trades and Professional Careers
This is a no-cost career service center that assists internationally educated professionals to secure professional employment and gain accreditation. They also help internationally educated MLTs prepare for the CSMLS certification examination. To learn more, please visit their website.

Microloans for Professional Newcomers
Servus-Bredin microloans is an Alberta lending solution offered in partnership with Servus Credit Union and provides low-interest loans of up to $15,000 to support professional newcomers with non-tuition costs related to pursuing licensure and accreditation in Canada. Click here to learn more.

Planning for Canada
If you are an economic or family class immigrant, look to Planning for Canada for information and pre-arrival support. They help you plan for your move, settlement, and employment in Canada. To learn more, please visit the website.

Government of Alberta
Alberta’s official immigration website has information on employment in Alberta, regulated professions, and accreditation. To learn more, please visit the website.

Government of Canada
The Foreign Credentials Referral Office has additional information on becoming an MLT in Canada. To learn more, please visit the website.

Orientation to the Canadian healthcare system
Both the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and the University of Toronto offer courses designed to familiarize internationally educated health professionals with the Canadian healthcare system and its patients.

NAIT
Course: Orientation to Canadian Healthcare
Offered: online
Intake: six times per year
Click here for more information

University of Toronto
Course: Orientation to the Canadian Health Care System, Culture and Context
Offered: online
Intake: twice per year
Click here for more information