This registration pathway is applicable for those who have previously been registered with the CMLTA and wish to return to practice. As a result of the legislation and practice hours required for reinstatement, the route that is taken within this registration pathway may differ and is dependent on how recently the applicant has practiced and for how long.

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” or “MLT”. It is unlawful for an individual to practice as an MLT or to present themselves as an MLT without CMLTA registration.

The Medical Laboratory Technologists Profession Regulation stipulates that an applicant must have worked at least 900 hours as an MLT within the previous four years. This does not apply if the applicant has graduated from an approved MLT program within the four years immediately preceding the date of application or if the applicant is trained internationally and their PLA from the CSMLS is dated within the four years immediately preceding the date of application.

If an applicant has not met the 900 practice hours requirement, 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. The number of refresher courses required depends on the length of absence from practice and the applicant’s certification area. Please refer to the categories below to determine the appropriate route for reinstatement.

For all reinstatement applications, the following requirements must be submitted to the CMLTA in addition to any route-specific requirements.

• a completed application
• evidence of having worked at least 900 hours as an MLT in the four years immediately preceding the date of application. If this cannot be provided, refer to routes for reinstatement below. If evidence can be provided, it may be:
  • Letter of standing from their regulatory College, if they are from a regulated province
  • Letter from an employer verifying the MLT hours is acceptable evidence, if they are from an unregulated province
• evidence of good character and reputation
  • Letter of standing from other governing body, if the applicant has ever 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 required
• Remittance of the required registration and other applicable fees (including those outstanding) as per the CMLTA Fee Schedule.

Applicants are also required to complete the CMLTA Jurisprudence Examination.

Routes for Reinstatement

Please refer to the categories below to determine the most appropriate route for reinstatement.

Note: If an applicant has received a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) within four years and obtained certification from the CSMLS, they are exempt from the listed course requirements.

1. Has worked at least 900 hours as an MLT in the four years immediately preceding the date of application

• • There are no additional requirements

2. Has worked as an MLT in the four years immediately preceding the application, but has not worked at least 900 hours.

• • For a general MLT, in addition to the above initial requirements, the applicant must complete:
    • one approved refresher course option from one of the following areas of practice which is relevant to the applicant’s role:
      • Hematology
      • Transfusion Science
      • Clinical Chemistry (may require more than one course)
      • Microbiology
      • Histology

• • For a diagnostic cytologist, in addition to the above initial requirements, the applicant must complete:
    • The Michener Institute – CY611: Gynecological Cytology

• • For a clinical geneticist, in addition to the above initial requirements, the applicant must complete one of the following courses:
    • CSMLS – 9890-12 Molecular Biology I: Overview of Nucleic Acid Structure
    • University of Waterloo – BIOL 239: Genetics (or equivalent, as pre-approved by the CMLTA)

3. Has been out of MLT practice for four to ten years.

• • For a general MLT, in addition to the above initial requirements, the applicant must complete:
    • one approved refresher course option in each of the following areas of practice:
      • Hematology
      • Transfusion Science
      • Clinical Chemistry (may require more than one course)
      • Microbiology
      • Histology

• • For a diagnostic cytologist, in addition to the above initial requirements, the applicant must complete:
    • The Michener Institute – CY611: Gynecological Cytology
  • For a clinical geneticist, in addition to the above initial requirements, the applicant must complete:
    • CSMLS – 9890-12 Molecular Biology I: Overview of Nucleic Acid Structure
    • University of Waterloo – BIOL 239: Genetics (or equivalent, as pre-approved by the CMLTA)

4. Has been out of practice for more than 10 years.

• • For a general MLT, in addition to the above initial requirements, the applicant must complete:
    • one approved refresher course option in each of the following areas of practice:
      • Hematology
      • Transfusion Science
      • Clinical Chemistry (may require more than one course)
      • Microbiology
      • Histology
    • two approved general refresher course options

• • For a diagnostic cytologist, in addition to the above initial requirements, the applicant must complete:
    • The Michener Institute – CY611: Gynecological Cytology
  • For a clinical geneticist, in addition to the above initial requirements, the applicant must complete:
    • CSMLS – 9890-12 Molecular Biology I: Overview of Nucleic Acid Structure
    • University of Waterloo – BIOL 239: Genetics (or equivalent, as pre-approved by the CMLTA)

If a return to professional practice is anticipated, please contact the CMLTA at info@cmlta.org to obtain confirmation regarding the specific course requirements prior to registering for the course(s).

Before the CMLTA will consider an application for reinstatement, an applicant must pay any outstanding fees or levies and comply with any other outstanding regulatory requirements (e.g., Continuing Competence Program requirements, professional conduct fines or costs).

The reinstatement application is available in your online profile. Click here to set up your profile. Once it is set up, you should see the reinstatement section. If you do not see this section, please email cmlta@cmlta.org to activate the reinstatement section in your profile.