Licensing: Medical Laboratory Technologists – Canada

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Canadian Medical Laboratory Technologist

The certification exam for medical laboratory technologists is administered by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). The CSMLS general certificate is accepted universally across Canada. However, you should contact the society or licensing body in the province or territory that you are interested in working in, to see if they have any other requirements to practice in that province or territory.

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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 (Prior Learning Assessment) to the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Upon receiving a favorable evaluation, technologists must, like those trained in Canada, write the certification exam for medical laboratory technologists administered by the CSMLS. The CSMLS general certificate is accepted universally across Canada. However, you should contact the society or licensing body in the province or territory that you are interested in working in, to see if they have any other requirements to practice in that province or territory.

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:

*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.

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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 (Prior Learning Assessment) to the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Upon receiving a favorable evaluation, technologists must, like those trained in Canada, write the certification exam for medical laboratory technologists administered by the CSMLS. The CSMLS general certificate is accepted universally across Canada. However, you should contact the society or licensing body in the province or territory that you are interested in working in, to see if they have any other requirements to practice in that province or territory.

Visa information: You are required to have a Canadian Employment Authorization before being allowed entry and employment in Canada. Sponsorship is often required. Please contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate to inquire about obtaining an Employment Authorization.

You can also find more information at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

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