New Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) Competency Assessments
British Columbia is introducing a more flexible pathway for Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) to demonstrate skill through Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR). Instead of requiring competency assessments in all lab disciplines, MLTs can now be assessed in the specific areas where they show skill—helping qualified workers get into labs faster and support internationally trained lab professionals by recognizing their experience through skills assessments and a Prior Learning Assessments (PLA).
This change will apply to:
- New applicants starting in March 2026
- Internationally educated lab professionals starting in November 2025
Current MLTs certified through Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) will not be affected by this change. Employment conditions—such as pay, job titles, and shift requirements—will also stay the same.
- Under the CSMLS model, MLTs are required to demonstrate proficiency across all medical laboratory disciplines via one examination.
- General MLT Exam: 5 Fields of Practice- One Exam
- Clinical Genetics: 1 Field of Practice- One Exam
- Diagnostic Cytology: 1 Field of Practice- One Exam
- Under the new CAMLPR Flexible Pathways model, entry to practice competency profiles (exams) and skill-based assessments will be administered in eight distinct areas of medical laboratory practice including Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Transfusion Medicine (Science), Clinical Microbiology, Histology, Cytology (Gynecologic and Non-Gynecologic), Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics. There will now be 5 pathways to have competencies assessed:
- MLT Core Lab: 3 Fields of Practice- Exam subjects include Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Transfusion Medicine.
- MLT Core Lab + Clinical Microbiology: 4 Fields of Practice- Exam subjects include Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Microbiology.
- MLT General: 5 Fields of Practice: Exam subjects include Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Microbiology and Histology
- MLT Diagnostic Cytology: 2 Fields of Practice: Exam subjects include Cytology (non-gynecologic and gynecologic) and Histology
- MLT Clinical Genetics: 2 Fields of Practice: Exam subjects include Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics.
- MLT applicants who meet the educational and professional requirements for each field and pass the relevant exam can be certified in each field of practice where they demonstrate competency.
- There is a critical national labour shortage of laboratory professionals. New approaches are needed to address vacancies efficiently.
- The CAMLPR Flexible Pathways model provides greater flexibility for certification while maintaining a skilled workforce.
- Most provinces in Canada are moving to the CAMLPR pathway for MLTs. Aligning British Columbia with CAMLPR facilitates interprovincial mobility for MLTs.
- Internationally educated MLTs with expertise in specific disciplines will have better opportunity for success in becoming certified and working in Canada.
- Non-traditionally educated individuals will have opportunities to become certified MLTs.
- Starting March 1, 2026, all applicants — including Canadian-educated, internationally educated MLTs and non-traditionally educated individuals — will be assessed based on the CAMLPR competency profile examinations.
- MLTs who currently have CSMLS certification will not be affected by this change.
- The is change only applies to:
- New graduates from accredited MLT programs
- Internationally educated MLTs seeking MLT certification
- Non-traditionally educated individuals whose education and experience may allow them to seek MLT certification.
- Along with administering certification exams, CSMLS is a society to which you can become a member. It offers research and advocacy for laboratory professionals along with learning resources.
- CAMLPR is not a membership organization for laboratory technologists. As an alliance of provincial regulators, CAMLPR focuses on ensuring that regulatory approaches and practices for medical laboratory professionals across Canada are fair, efficient, effective, ethical, transparent, and inclusive.
- CSMLS certification requires proficiency across all laboratory disciplines demonstrated via one examination.
- CAMLPR flexible pathway allows applicants to demonstrate and be assessed in specific fields of practice, offering a more focused and flexible approach.
- Eligibility is based on CAMLPR criteria and generally includes:
- Graduation from an accredited MLT program
- Internationally educated MLTs seeking Canadian certification.
- Non-traditionally educated whose education and experience may offer them the opportunity to become an MLT.
- Internationally educated MLTs, and individuals with non-traditional backgrounds can apply for a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Each PLA is evaluated individually according to CAMLPR eligibility requirements. If deemed appropriate, the applicant will be approved to take the applicable competency assessment exam(s).
- A PLA evaluates an applicant's prior education and professional experience to determine whether they meet the competency requirements for a given discipline. Previous education experience and professional experience needs to be assessed before an applicant is eligible to write field of practice competency assessments (examinations).
- If competency gaps are identified during the PLA process, applicants may receive a personalized learning plan before proceeding with assessments.
- For the most current information regarding PLA, visit the official CAMLPR website or contact info@camlpr.org.
- PSIs are aware of this change and have been working with CAMLPR for a smooth transition. Post secondary institutions may need to revise:
- Curriculum
- Assessment practices
- These updates will help ensure graduates are prepared for the CAMLPR competency assessments.
- Post secondary institutions will determine practicum length. We do not anticipate this changing.
- CAMLPR enables faster, more targeted entry into the workforce.
- It supports greater flexibility for applicants to the profession.
- This model will help increase the number of qualified professionals entering or advancing within Laboratory Medicine across Canada.
- Currently, CLXTs do not write the CSMLS exam as such, are unaffected by this change.
- CAMLPR's modular approach allows applicants to write assessments for individual disciplines, which can be more cost-effective than the CSMLS model.
- The total cost of writing all eight assessments is comparable to the CSMLS exam.
- Please refer to the Application Fees section for current pricing.
- There is a critical national labour shortage of laboratory professionals. New approaches are needed to address vacancies efficiently.
- The CAMLPR Flexible Pathways model provides greater flexibility for certification while maintaining a skilled workforce.
- Most provinces in Canada are moving to the CAMLPR pathway for MLTs. Aligning British Columbia with CAMLPR facilitates interprovincial mobility for MLTs.
- Internationally educated MLTs with expertise in specific disciplines will have better opportunity for success in becoming certified and working in Canada.
- Non-traditionally educated individuals will have opportunities to become certified MLTs.
- There is a critical national labour shortage of laboratory professionals. New approaches are needed to address vacancies efficiently.
- The CAMLPR Flexible Pathways model provides greater flexibility for certification while maintaining a skilled workforce.
- Most provinces in Canada are moving to the CAMLPR pathway for MLTs. Aligning British Columbia with CAMLPR facilitates interprovincial mobility for MLTs.
- Internationally educated MLTs with expertise in specific disciplines will have better opportunity for success in becoming certified and working in Canada.
- Non-traditionally educated individuals will have opportunities to become certified MLTs.
For more information, please visit the
CAMLPR website.
