Before creating a CAMLPR Flexible Pathways account, review the requirements below to help you determine if this process is right for you.
- Do you want to work as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT)?
- What is your educational background?
- Where do you plan to work?
- Are you already working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist?
- Have you written and passed a CSMLS exam?
- Have you written a CSMLS exam, but did not pass?
- Have you received a Statement of Eligibility for a CSMLS exam, but haven’t written the exam yet?
- Summary
Do you want to work as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT)?
In Canada, jobs are grouped using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) are classified under NOC 32120.
The CAMLPR Flexible Pathways process is designed only for individuals who want to work as Medical Laboratory Technologists.
Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120) conduct medical laboratory tests, experiments and analyses to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prevention of disease.
There is a related profession, medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (NOC 33101). In these professions, individuals perform pre-analysis and pre-testing tasks such as collecting blood and other samples, processing specimens, and preparing special chemicals called reagents for use in testing. They also conduct routine medical laboratory tests and set up, clean and maintain medical laboratory equipment
While some tasks overlap, Medical Laboratory Technologists and Medical Laboratory Assistants are different professions. Only those seeking to work as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (NOC 32120) should apply through the CAMLPR Flexible Pathways process.
What is your educational background?
To work as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada, you should have one of the following education backgrounds:
- Canadian MLT Education: Completed a CAMLPR-approved Canadian medical laboratory technology/science program (Health Standards Organization (HSO) EQual-accredited, accredited with condition, or admitted medical laboratory technology, clinical genetics technology, or diagnostic cytology programs).
- International MLT Education: Completed a medical laboratory technology/science program outside of Canada.
- Non-traditional Education: Completed a program (e.g., BSc, MSc, PhD) related to medical laboratory technology/science.
Educational background is verified or assessed by CAMLPR. Depending on your MLT background, you will either follow the pathway for recent graduates of a Canadian MLT program or the pathway for applicants who require a prior learning assessment.
If you do not meet the educational requirements, you will need to complete a relevant educational program before applying through the CAMLPR Flexible Pathways process.
Where do you plan to work?
In most provinces, Medical Laboratory Technologists must be registered with a regulator before they can begin working. Depending on where you plan to work, you’ll either follow the CAMLPR Flexible Pathways process or a different process.
I plan to work in…
| Province/Territory | Should I follow the CAMLPR Flexible Pathway? | Do I need to apply for registration with a regulator? |
| Manitoba | Yes | Yes |
| New Brunswick | Yes | Yes |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Yes | Yes |
| Nova Scotia | Yes | Yes |
| Ontario | Yes | Yes |
| Prince Edward Island | Yes | Yes |
| Saskatchewan | Yes | Yes |
| British Columbia | Yes | No (not regulated) |
| Northwest Territories | Yes | No (not regulated) |
| Nunavut | Yes | No (not regulated) |
| Yukon | Yes | No (not regulated) |
| Québec | No, contact OPTMQ | Yes |
| Alberta | No, contact CMLTA | Yes |
Are you already working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist?
If you are currently registered or practicing as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada, you do not need to apply through the CAMLPR Flexible Pathways process or create an account.
Do you want to work in a different province?
If you are currently registered or practicing as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada and
- plan to work in a different province where MLTs are regulated, you should contact the province’s regulatory body for next steps.
- plan to work in a province or territory where MLTs are not regulated, you should contact potential employers for their position requirements.
Have you written and passed a CSMLS exam?
You do not need to apply through the CAMLPR Flexible Pathways process if you have passed a Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Sciences (CSMLS) Competency Exam in one of the following areas:
- General Medical Laboratory Technology
- Diagnostic Cytology Technology
- Clinical Genetics Technology
Instead, please contact the regulator in the province where you plan to work for details on how to register.
Have you written a CSMLS exam, but did not pass?
Please review the CSMLS to CAMLPR Transition Guide.
Applicants are allowed up to three attempts to pass a CAMLPR exam in each field of practice.
For the following applicant categories, if you wish to attempt an exam again, you are required to take your next exam through CAMLPR if the exam date is on or after November 1, 2025:
- International MLT Education: You completed a medical laboratory technology/science program outside of Canada.
- Non-Traditional Education: You completed a program (e.g., BSc, MSc, PhD) related to medical laboratory technology/science.
- Canadian MLT Education (over 24 months ago): You did not attempt your first national exam within 24 months of completing a CAMLPR-approved Canadian medical laboratory technology/science program.
Please note that additional documentation must be submitted to CAMLPR before you may be granted eligibility to write the CAMLPR Fields-of-Practice Exam(s).
If your most recent CSMLS exam report was more than two years before your planned CAMLPR exam date, you will have additional requirements before you can be granted eligibility to write the CAMLPR exam.
After you create a Flexible Pathways account, you will complete an information survey where you can indicate if you have written, but not passed, a CSMLS exam. CAMLPR will then review your account and contact you to provide instructions on how to upload or request the required documentation.
Have you received a Statement of Eligibility for a CSMLS exam, but haven’t written the exam yet?
Please review the CSMLS to CAMLPR Transition Guide.
If you are a CSMLS Prior Learning Assessment client and CSMLS has issued your Eligibility Statement, you have 12 months from the eligibility date to take your first exam attempt.
- If you write on or after November 1, 2025, you are required to take your exam through CAMLPR.
- If you cannot write your exam within 12 months of your CSMLS Eligibility Statement date, you may be eligible for a time extension. Please contact applicants@camlpr.org for guidance on next steps.
Summary
Create a CAMLPR Flexible Pathways account if you:
- Want to work as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada
- Have completed a Canadian or international MLT program or a program in a related medical/health science
- Plan to work in a province or territory that requires the CAMLPR Flexible Pathways process
- Have written, but not passed, a Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Sciences (CSMLS) MLT exam up to three times, and intend to write the CAMLPR Fields-of-Practice Exam(s).
When you create a CAMLPR Flexible Pathways account, you will be asked to upload at least one piece of government-issued identification (ID).
Please note that there is a non-refundable fee to create an account.
Do not create an account if you:
- Are already registered or practicing as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada
- Want to work as a medical laboratory assistant or medical laboratory technician
- Plan to work in Alberta or Québec
- Plan to write a Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Sciences (CSMLS) MLT exam.
This page is for information only. Requirements are subject to change. Creating an account does not guarantee eligibility to write the CAMLPR Fields-of-Practice exams.