Choosing your fields-of-practice exams
Applicants can pursue competency assessment (examinations) and registration in one or more fields of practice.
Competency assessments (examinations) will be available individually for each field of practice or as pre-defined “bundled” exams covering multiple fields.
The individual fields-of-practice exams are:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Hematology
- Transfusion Medicine (Science)
- Clinical Microbiology
- Histology
- Cytology: Gynecologic and Non-gynecologic
- Cytogenetics
- Molecular Diagnostics
‘Bundled’ examinations include several field-of-practice assessments in a single exam session. The bundles include:
| FIELDS OF PRACTICE IN BUNDLED EXAM SESSION | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXAMINATION BUNDLE | Clinical Chemistry | Hematology | Transfusion Medicine (Science) | Clinical Microbiology | Histology | Cytology | Cytogenetics | Molecular Diagnostics |
| MLT Core Lab | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| MLT Core Lab and Clinical Microbiology | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| MLT General | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| MLT Diagnostic Cytology | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| MLT Clinical Genetics | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
Additional bundles may be developed in the future if demand arises.
Applicants may also choose to take multiple fields-of-practice competency assessments across multiple exam sessions. Exam fees will vary based on the combination of fields selected.
MLT applicants who meet the educational and professional requirements for each field and pass the relevant exam can apply to be registered in each field of practice where they have demonstrated competency.
If an applicant takes a bundled exam and does not pass all fields, they may still apply for registration in the fields they successfully passed. However, they must retake and pass the remaining fields to be eligible for registration in those areas.
Selecting the Number of Fields-of-Practice Competency Assessments
In provinces where Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) are regulated, employers specify the required field-of-practice designations on an MLT’s registration for job eligibility. In unregulated jurisdictions, employers indicate the field-of-practice exams that candidates must pass to qualify for employment.
Applicants can pursue as many or as few fields of practice for registration as they choose. However, potential applicants are cautioned that pursuing only limited fields of practice may limit their employment opportunities. Many employers require their employees to hold registration in multiple fields of practice. For instance, MLT employers may specify that employees have the MLT General designation [Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Transfusion Medicine (Science), Clinical Microbiology, and Histology]. Applicants for registration as General MLTs must demonstrate the required education and successfully complete the examinations in these five fields. If, for example, applicants successfully complete the examination in only three of the five fields, they will be able to seek registration to practice in the three successfully completed fields while they continue their studies to successfully complete examinations in the remaining two fields of practice.
It is recommended that applicants take the MLT General bundled examination [Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Transfusion Medicine (Science), Clinical Microbiology, and Histology] for maximum employability.
Exam Content
The CAMLPR Fields-of-Practice Competency Assessments (Examinations) are structured to evaluate the competencies of MLTs in the field(s) of practice in which they are seeking registration and employment.
Topics
Competency assessment (examination) questions, also called items, are based on the CAMLPR Fields-of-Practice Competency Profiles. The assessments in each field-of- practice follow the structure of the competency profiles and will address:
- Specimen Collection
- Preparation and Testing
- Evaluation and Interpretation
- Reporting and Communication
- Equipment and Resources
- Safety
- Professionalism
- Quality Assurance
Each exam includes questions about field-specific competencies and competencies shared across multiple fields of practice.
Questions will focus on high-frequency knowledge in a field of practice.
Weighting of Content Areas
Examination questions (items) in each field of practice will be distributed as follows:
| Item Distribution (Approximate Percentage) | ||||||||
| Competency Group | Clinical Chemistry | Hematology | Transfusion Medicine | Clinical Microbiology | Histology | Cytology | Cytogenetics | Molecular Diagnostics |
| Specimen Collection | 15% | 15% | 15% | 8% | 10% | 10% | 8% | 8% |
| Preparation & Testing | 20% | 20% | 20% | 25% | 35% | 20% | 18% | 25% |
| Evaluation | 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% | 10% | 20% | 24% | 21% |
| Reporting | 15% | 15% | 15% | 20% | 5% | 25% | 25% | 21% |
| Equipment | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Safety | 5% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 15% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Professionalism | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Quality Assurance | 10% | 10% | 10% | 5% | 10% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
The competency groups include the competencies described in the CAMLPR Fields-of-Practice Competency Profiles.
Some questions will address multiple competencies.
Questions in each field-of-practice examination will assess:
- Declarative (theoretical) knowledge (approximately 60% of questions): Declarative knowledge encompasses facts and information that can be articulated and shared. In medical laboratory technology, this includes understanding theoretical concepts such as the purpose of specific tests, the interpretation of results, human biology, and laboratory safety protocols. This type of knowledge is crucial because it provides the “what” and “why” behind the procedures and practices used in the laboratory.
- Practical knowledge (approximately 40% of questions): Practical knowledge, on the other hand, involves the hands-on skills required to perform tasks. It addresses the “how” and “when” aspects of laboratory work, such as how to operate and maintain equipment, conduct experiments, and ensure that safety protocols are followed. Practical knowledge is typically acquired through experience and practice.
Although questions are categorized as assessing either declarative or practical knowledge, the distinction is often blurred because practical application frequently relies on a solid grasp of theoretical principles. For instance, even a question designed to assess hands-on skills may require knowledge of underlying theories to arrive at the correct answer. Conversely, questions aimed at theoretical understanding may involve scenarios where practical implications must be considered. This overlap reflects the reality that declarative and practical knowledge are deeply interconnected in the field of medical laboratory technology.
Exam Format
Number of Questions and Examination Duration
Number of questions and duration: Each field-of-practice competency assessment (examination) will contain 60 items (questions), with 60 minutes provided for completion. The exception is the Cytology (gynecologic and non-gynecologic) exam, which will include 120 questions with 120 minutes provided for completion. If a test taker is writing a bundled fields-of-practice examination, the number of questions and duration will depend on the number of fields.
Breaks: For applicants taking bundled fields-of-practice exams in one session, 15-minute breaks will be provided between each exam. They Cytology exam will also have a 15-minute break during the exam.
Exam day duration: On exam day, test takers should expect:
- Check-in and Setup Time: This includes the time required for test takers to check into the exam session, complete identity verification and security checks, and get set up before starting the exam.
- Exam session duration: The exam session duration includes the total time for answering questions and any scheduled breaks.
The following table summarizes the different types of exams, number of questions, and exam session duration. It does not include check-in and setup time.
| Competency Assessment (Examination) | Fields of Practice in Exam Session | Number of questions | Exam Time for Questions | Number of Breaks (15 minutes each) | Total Exam Session Duration* |
| INDIVIDUAL FIELD-OF-PRACTICE EXAMINATION | |||||
| One of: • Clinical Chemistry, • Hematology • Transfusion Medicine • Clinical Microbiology • Histology • Cytogenetics • Molecular Diagnostics | 1 | 60 questions per field | 60 minutes per field | 0 | 1 hour |
| Cytology (Gynecological and Non-gynecological) | 1 | 120 questions | 120 minutes | 1 | 2.25 hours |
| BUNDLED EXAMINATIONS | |||||
| MLT Clinical Genetics: • Cytogenetics • Molecular Diagnostics | 2 | 60 questions per field | 60 minutes per field | 1 | 2.25 hours |
| MLT Diagnostic Cytology • Cytology (Gynecological and Non-gynecological) • Histology | 2 | 120 questions (cytology) + 60 questions (histology) | 120 minutes (cytology) + 60 minutes (histology) | 2 | 3.5 hours |
| MLT Core Lab • Clinical Chemistry • Hematology • Transfusion Medicine | 3 | 60 questions per field | 60 minutes per field | 2 | 3.5 hours |
| MLT Core Lab and Clinical Microbiology • Clinical Chemistry • Hematology • Transfusion Medicine • Clinical Microbiology | 4 | 60 questions per field | 60 minutes per field | 3 | 4.75 hours |
| MLT General • Clinical Chemistry • Hematology • Transfusion Medicine • Clinical Microbiology • Histology | 5 | 60 questions per field | 60 minutes per field | 4 | 6 hours |
Answering Exam Questions
Question types
The CAMLPR Fields-of-Practice Competency Assessments (Examinations) will consist of multiple-choice questions, including questions based on images and case studies.
Select the best response
Each multiple-choice question will present several answer options. While more than one option may be partially correct, you should select the single best response based on the information provided. Read each question carefully and use your judgment to choose the answer that most accurately or completely addresses the question.
Navigation
You will see only one question at a time. After you answer a question and move on to the next one, you cannot go back to see or change your previous answers. Please read each question carefully and make sure you are satisfied with your answer before you continue.
Exam interface tutorial
Approved test takers will have access to an exam interface tutorial in the CAMLPR Applicant Portal. Please review this tutorial before your scheduled exam date.
In-person and remote testing
You may write your exam in person at a testing centre or remotely from a suitable location of your choice. All exams must be written in Canada. Exams will be proctored by Prometric.
Once CAMLPR approves your application for exam registration, you will receive scheduling instructions and a Prometric booking link. You can then choose in-person or remote testing.
Exam Languages
Exams will be offered in English during the 2025 sessions. Beginning in 2026, all exams will be available in both English and French.