MLT Students

Soon-to-be graduates and new graduates of CMLTA-approved Canadian Medical Laboratory Technology programs who are pursuing entry-to-practice registration in Alberta must complete their MLT program and be registered to write the CSMLS certification exam before registering with the CMLTA.

The CMLTA has an agreement with the CSMLS to continue to provide the certification exam for new graduates from MLT programs until 2026. Therefore, if you started an MLT program in 2024 and will be completing it in 2026, you will need to pass the CSMLS certification exam for general MLT, clinical genetics, or diagnostic cytology in order to work in Alberta.

After March 1, 2026, if you want to work outside of Alberta, you will need to write the CAMLPR assessments in all 5 disciplines for a general MLT: Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Transfusion Medicine (Science), Clinical Microbiology, and Histology. Or write the CAMLPR assessments for clinical genetics or diagnostic cytology.

Once a new graduate is registered in Alberta (with CSMLS certification) as a general MLT, Clinical Genetics MLT, or Diagnostic Cytologist MLT; they will be able to work in another province due to a labour mobility agreement between the MLT colleges across Canada. However, always check with the other provinces’ regulatory colleges for their registration requirements.

Information on CAMLPR exams can be found here.

IEMLTs entering the PLA Process

Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologists (IEMLTs) are individuals who have completed their medical laboratory science education outside of Canada and are seeking registration to practice as an MLT in Canada. IEMLTs must be deemed substantially equivalent by the CSMLS Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process and registered to write one of their certification exams before applying for registration in Alberta.

The CMLTA has an agreement with the CSMLS to continue to provide the certification exam for IEMLTs who are deemed substantially equivalent by the CSMLS PLA process until 2026. Therefore, if you are eligible to write the CSMLS certification exam, you can register for and write the exam in Alberta until 2026.

An IEMLT with a CAMLPR assessment equal to a general MLT, Clinical Genetics MLT, or Diagnostic Cytologist MLT AND registered in another province will be able to work in Alberta due to a labour mobility agreement (permit-to-permit recognition) between the MLT colleges across Canada.

An IEMLT with a CAMLPR assessment who is not currently registered with another MLT college CANNOT register in Alberta to work as an MLT.

Information on CAMLPR exams can be found here.

Permit-to-Permit Recognition

If you are registered in Alberta with CSMLS certification as a general MLT, Clinical Genetics MLT, or Diagnostic Cytologist MLT; you are able to work in another province due to a labour mobility agreement between the MLT colleges across Canada, regardless of whether you have a CSMLS certification or a CAMLPR assessment.

If you are registered in another province with a CAMLPR assessment equal to a general MLT, Clinical Genetics MLT, or Diagnostic Cytologist MLT; you will be able to work in Alberta due to a labour mobility agreement between the MLT colleges across Canada.

If a new graduate or an IEMLT does not pass all 5 areas for a general MLT, other provinces that are a part of CAMLPR will allow for assessments in less than those 5 areas. Currently, Alberta’s legislation does not allow for “field-of-practice” registration, therefore the CMLTA can only issue practice permits for the following types of MLT registration:

1. General (CAMLPR exam bundle = MLT General)
2. Clinical Genetics (CAMLPR exam bundle = MLT Clinical Genetics)
3. Diagnostic Cytology (CAMLPR exam bundle = MLT Diagnostic Cytology, includes histology)

If you are registered in another province and have a field-of-practice registration that is different from the 3 types noted above, you will NOT be able to work as an MLT in Alberta.

Individuals with Non-Traditional Education

Individuals holding non-traditional academic qualifications related to medical laboratory science (e.g., BSc, MSc, PhD) who are pursuing entry-to-practice registration in Canada cannot work as an MLT in Alberta but may be able to do so in other provinces through the CAMLPR assessment process. Click here to go to the CAMLPR website.

In order to work as an MLT in Alberta, you must be deemed substantially equivalent by the CSMLS PLA process or complete a CMLTA-approved Canadian Medical Laboratory Technology program and have CSMLS certification or be registered to write their certification exam.