Fields-of-practice competency assessments (Examinations)
How can I prepare myself for the CAMLPR Exam?
To prepare for the CAMLPR Exam, start by reviewing the CAMLPR Competency Profiles and the Weighting of Content Areas. The Weighting of Content Areas describes the specific knowledge and skills that you will be tested on by indicating the percentage of questions dedicated to each competency category. The Competency Profiles outline the essential skills, knowledge, and judgment required to practice as a Medical Laboratory Professional in Canada. They are used to assess and evaluate applicants’ qualifications and performance, making them a valuable study tool for the Field of Practice Exams. These two items together will help you decide how much to review and which areas to concentrate on as you prepare for the exam.
In addition, the DACUM (Developing A Curriculum) charts expand on each Field of Practice by breaking down the specific tasks and responsibilities involved. Reviewing the DACUM can help you understand what is expected in each area and guide your preparation more effectively.
Does CAMLPR have a study guide or practice exams that I can use to prepare?
Currently, CAMLPR does not offer a dedicated study guide or official practice exams. However, you can find sample questions in the Self-Administered Readiness Assessment (SARA), which is part of the application process. The SARA can help you better understand the types of questions you may encounter and assess your readiness for the Field of Practice Exams.
How are the exams created and maintained?
The starting point for all CAMLPR exam items is the CAMLPR Competency Profile. This profile outlines the key competencies required by entry-level medical laboratory technologists to be effective professionals in Canada. This profile was developed through a two-year consultation process that included experts in education and testing, subject matter experts, practicing MLTs, and educators in MLT education programs. Contributors came from diverse provinces and professional contexts including rural labs, metropolitan hospitals, educational institutions, and regulatory bodies.
The competency profile was used to develop the examination blueprints. Each blueprint is field-specific and guides exam content by ensuring that relevant competencies are incorporated. The blueprints also ensure that competencies accurately reflect their importance to effective practice in that field. All exam items are referenced to a specific competency within the framework and are not referenced to any individual program, school, textbook, or resource. This approach ensures that no candidates are advantaged or disadvantaged based on their educational institution, program, or the resources selected by their instructors.
Subject matter experts, nominated by CAMLPR, play a key role in creating and ensuring questions accurately assess the relevant competencies in each field of practice. The questions will be regularly reviewed and revised to reflect advancements in medical laboratory technology, healthcare practices, and professional standards. This process will help maintain the currency and relevance of the examinations.
How much do the exams cost?
Please refer to the Application Fees section here.
What exams do employers require for MLTs?
Employers require MLTs to be registered with their regulatory body in provinces where Medical Laboratory Technologists are regulated. Registration indicates that you have successfully met all necessary requirements, including passing the required examinations. While the specific examination provider may vary, the most important factor is being registered and in good standing with the regulatory body, as this is necessary to be eligible to work as an MLT.
In provinces where Medical Laboratory Technologists are regulated, employers will specify the field-of-practice designations that must be included on an MLT’s registration for them to be eligible for a given position. In jurisdictions where MLTs are not yet regulated, employers will specify the examinations that must be passed for eligibility.
Do I need to pass the Molecular Diagnostics exam to work with molecular diagnostics techniques?
Molecular Diagnostics techniques are included in multiple fields of practice. Consider these examples:
- Preparation and Testing Competency 12—“ Prepares nucleic acid specimens for analysis to detect genetic variations or mutations using PCR and/or nucleic acid sequencing techniques”—is included in the Clinical Microbiology, Cytogenetics, and Molecular Diagnostics competency profiles.
- Evaluation Competency 37—“ Processes specimen for molecular testing by extracting, quantitating, evaluating, setting up, and visualizing nucleic acids” — is included in the Clinical Microbiology, Cytology, Cytogenetics, and Molecular Diagnostics competency profiles.
The competency profiles outline the molecular diagnostic techniques required in each field of practice. If the field you plan to work in (e.g., Clinical Microbiology) includes molecular diagnostics competencies, you must take the corresponding exam for that field. You do not need to take the Molecular Diagnostics exam in addition to the exam for your intended field of practice.
Alternatively, applicants who intend to specialize in molecular diagnostic techniques can take the Molecular Diagnostics exam exclusively. This pathway is most suitable for those with non-traditional education (e.g., genetics, molecular biology). However, registration in Molecular Diagnostics alone limits practice to molecular-focused labs; working in other fields that incorporate molecular techniques requires passing the relevant exam for that field.