Canadian Medical Laboratory Technologist
In Canada, the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) is the national certifying body for medical laboratory technologists. The CSMLS administers the certification exam for medical laboratory technologists. To write the exam, applicants must have graduated from a program accredited by the Conjoint Accreditation Services, Canadian Medical Association or equivalent. All of the regulated provinces (with the exception of Quebec, which has its own regulations) require CSMLS certification, and most employers in the unregulated provinces and territories require CSMLS certification.
Contact the society or licensing body in the province or territory in which you would like to work, to see if they have any other requirements to practice.
Medical Laboratory Technologists from the US or Mexico
Medical laboratory technologists trained outside of Canada must submit a dossier of education, training, and work experience for evaluation (PriorLearning Assessment) to the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Upon receiving a favorable evaluation, technologists can write the certification exam.Note: All of the regulated provinces (with the exception of Quebec, which has its own regulations) require CSMLS certification, and most employers in the unregulated provinces and territories require CSMLS certification. Additionally, you should contact the society or licensing body in the province or territory in which you would like to work, to see if they have any other requirements to practice.
Visa information: Medical laboratory technologists are covered under NAFTA. If you are a citizen of the USA or Mexico, you are eligible for a visa. Permanent Residents of the USA or Mexico are not eligible under NAFTA.
You can obtain an Employment Authorization (NAFTA Professional Status) from any Canadian port of entry, US-Canadian border crossing, or Canadian Consulate (or in Canada, if you are already in the country as a visitor). No sponsorship is required. Job Offer Validation is not required. However, you will still need to provide proof of an offer of employment from your employer in Canada. You must also meet the minimum education, experience, and licensing Requirements set for your profession.
Your documentation* you present must indicate:
- the professional level activity you will carry out
- your job title
- summary of your job duties
- starting date and expected length of temporary stay
- arrangement for remuneration.
*This documentation can include: a signed contract between you and an employer; a letter from your prospective employer confirming that employment has been offered and accepted; a letter from your current employer stating that you are entering another NAFTA member country to render services pursuant to a signed contract between your employer and an enterprise in that country.
The duration of the Employment Authorization is set for an initial period of one year. An unlimited number of one-year extensions may be subsequently obtained so long as you can show that the employment remains temporary, and that you continue to be qualified to work in your profession.
Medical Laboratory Technologists from Outside North America
Medical laboratory technologists trained outside of Canada must submit a dossier of education, training, and work experience for evaluation (PriorLearning Assessment) to the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Upon receiving a favorable evaluation, technologists can write the certification exam.Note: All of the regulated provinces (with the exception of Quebec, which has its own regulations) require CSMLS certification, and most employers in the unregulated provinces and territories require CSMLS certification. Additionally, you should contact the society or licensing body in the province or territory in which you would like to work, to see if they have any other requirements to practice.
Visa information: You are required to have a Canadian Employment Authorization before being allowed employment in Canada. Sponsorship is often required. Note that Human Resources and Social Development Canada/Service Canada (HRSDC/SC) maintain regional lists of occupations under pressure. What this means is that if an occupation is on the list for the region, employers in the region will not be required to undertake lengthy or comprehensive advertising efforts before being eligible to apply to hire a qualified foreign worker, which saves them time. However, the employer will still have to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (also known as an employment confirmation) from SC, which can take weeks. So in a case in which a few provinces have a certain career listed as an "occupation under pressure," but the others do not, a person would more likely find success in finding a job if s/he were to apply for licensure in one of the provinces in which their career is an "occupation under pressure." As of when this was last updated (see date below the box), medical laboratory technologists are included on the lists for Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.
You can also find more information at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
Updated on August 26, 2008.