The goal of the Flexible Pathways to Registration for Medical Laboratory Technologists project is to implement field-specific registration for each field of practice where jurisdictional legislation permits. MLT registrants will have fields of practice designated on their registration, allowing them to practice within those named fields.
The project involves developing pathways to practice for both internationally and Canadian-educated applicants who seek to register and practice as an MLT in Canada. This includes developing field-of-practice entry-level competencies to reflect current practice requirements, delivering prior learning assessment and competency assessments (examinations), and streamlining the registration process for individuals whose background and education qualify them to work as MLTs.
CAMLPR received a grant from the Government of Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada) for this project. By preventing shortages of highly qualified personnel, the provincial regulatory bodies will help achieve the objective of increasing the supply of qualified health professionals.
In August 2024, CAMLPR released competency profiles for the fields of practice within medical laboratory technology.
Why is this work necessary?
Canada’s health sector is facing a significant shortage of Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), a critical role in healthcare. Well-educated and skilled newcomers face challenges entering the workforce quickly.
The competency profiles, organized by fields of practice, clarify registration requirements and streamline the application process. By doing so, internationally educated MLTs will be able to obtain registration and employment in Canada more quickly, ultimately increasing the number of qualified professionals available to fill vacancies and shortages in the healthcare system. Canadian educated applicants, including those from non-traditional education backgrounds, may have the opportunity to select the fields of practice in which they seek registration.
It is important to maintain a single, unified set of competency profiles for MLTs in Canada, regardless of where they were educated. By implementing these field-specific profiles for all future applicants, CAMLPR, on behalf of the provincial MLT regulators, is fulfilling the mandate to maintain consistent, high standards of practice that apply equally to both internationally and Canadian-educated MLTs.
Flexible Pathways to Registration FAQs
What will change in registration to practice as an MLT?
The regulators of Medical Laboratory Technologists in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan are planning to implement field-specific registration where permitted by jurisdictional legislation. This means that future MLT registrants will have their specific fields of practice designated on their registration, allowing them to practice only within those designated fields. If they wish to practice in additional fields after registration, they can apply for additional designations after demonstrating they have the required education and have passed the competency assessment for each additional field of practice.
What is changing for MLTs who are already registered?
The changes to the competency profiles, prior learning assessments, competency assessments (examinations) and registration processes will not affect the registration status of Medical Laboratory Technologists who are already registered to practice.
What if I have already started an educational program, my prior learning assessment, or the examination process before the changes take effect?
Starting November 1, 2025, all internationally educated MLTs and those with non-traditional education must use CAMLPR’s new application and registration process, including prior learning assessment and CAMLPR Field-of-Practice Exams.
As of March 1, 2026, the new CAMLPR assessments will also apply to all applicants, including those who completed their MLT education in Canada.
If you started your prior learning assessment (PLA) process with Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) before June 1, 2025, you will continue under the CSMLS PLA process. If your PLA is not completed by October 31, 2025, CSMLS will transfer your file to CAMLPR so that you can continue the PLA process without needing to start over.
Is this the same as RT subject registration?
Delivery of laboratory services has changed over the last decade. Previously, many facilities delivered laboratory services in all five fields of MLT General, for example. The Core Lab Survey conducted with MLT employers in 2024 indicated the need for MLTs with expertise in core laboratory fields (Chemistry, Hematology, and Transfusion Medicine (Science)). This feedback informed the creation of the ‘Core’ Lab bundle which was identified as important for rural and remote locations. The development of the eight fields-of-practice competency profiles provides the ability to be nimble and offer various bundles of assessments that may be required in the future.
Will the Flexible Pathways processes for individuals with non-traditional education reduce the quality of MLTs working in the field?
No, the Flexible Pathways processes are designed to maintain high standards. All applicants, regardless of their educational background, must demonstrate the required prior learning and competencies through assessments for each field of practice. Applicants with non-traditional educational background will undergo a prior learning assessment in their chosen fields of practice, and if successful, will be approved to take the applicable competency assessments. If applicants do not meet the required learning and competency standards, they must complete an Education Plan and be reassessed before being approved to take the applicable competency assessments. This ensures that only those who meet the professional standards are allowed to practice, maintaining the quality of MLT practice and public safety.
How will the changes impact MLT employers?
MLT employers will see changes in how new graduates and internationally educated MLTs are assessed and registered once the changes take effect. The fields-of-practice competency profiles mean that MLTs will be registered in specific areas of practice, with their skills and knowledge aligned with the needs of their roles. These changes are also expected to increase the supply of registered Medical Laboratory Technologists for employment, as the processes will make it easier for internationally educated MLTs to demonstrate their competencies in specific fields and become registered to practice.
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 regulated, employers will specify the field-of-practice exams that must be passed for employment eligibility.
Do applicants or registrants of member organization need to become a ‘member’ of CAMLPR?
No, applicants and registrants do not require membership with CAMLPR.
Who is carrying out this work?
CAMLPR is leading this work on behalf of member organizations with the support of Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group, a consulting firm with expertise in healthcare competency development, education, professional regulation, and labour markets. Directions has collaborated with a variety of regulatory and professional bodies across Canada. Their work has focused on competency development and assessment in sectors such as social work, teaching, and speech and audiology. For example, they supported the Canadian Council of Social Work Regulators in defining professional competencies and worked with the Council of Ministers of Education Canada on the development of a language competency framework for teachers.
In healthcare, Directions partnered with the Canadian Alliance of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Regulators, contributing to the establishment of competency standards to ensure that professionals in audiology and speech-language pathology meet rigorous service expectations. Directions has also played a critical role in assessment development, including collaborating with the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities to create practice assessments that uphold the professional standards of pharmacists and with the Council of Ministers of Education Canada on the development of a language competency assessment for the teaching profession.
Directions has been working with a team of CAMLPR-selected MLT subject matter experts from across Canada to develop the field-of-practice competency profiles , DACUM (developing a curriculum), competency assessments (examinations), and resources.
Directions was selected as the lead consultant for the Flexible Pathways to Registration for Medical Laboratory Technologists project through a competitive RFP process for project management and consultation services.