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Certification

Certification

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Medical Laboratory Assistants

Medical laboratory assistant certification

The society's certification program validates that an individual has attained a recognized level of standards and training through BCSLS approved educational institutions.

Only graduates of BCSLS Approved MLA programs get preferential hiring by health authorities and Lifelabs in BC. Make sure that the MLA program you choose is BCSLS Approved. To see a list of BCSLS Approved MLA programs see below.

To obtain BCSLS certification you have a few options:

1.    BCSLS reviews applications from public and private colleges, to determine whether their MLA programs meet BCSLS Competency Guidelines.  Graduates of the below BCSLS approved programs can apply for BCSLS certification after graduation.

   Suspended, special conditions or on hold:

  • Saskatchewan Polytechnic (After May 2019)

  • MTI (After January 2019) 

2.    Successfully write the MLA certification exam with MLPAO (Ontario Society).  Once you have this, you can apply for BCSLS certification. You will also need to submit proof of industry experiences working in a lab (at least 120 hours) and proof of ECG training or ECG work experience.

If you are interested in writing the MLPAO Medical Laboratory Assistant exam you would have to qualify through the ‘Special Consideration’ or “Out of Province - Special Consideration” application process. More information can be found HERE

  • Please note that the exams are in English so it is your responsibility to ensure that your English Language abilities are good enough to write the exam. There is no English test for you to take to ensure your Language Standards for this exam.

3.    Successfully write the MLA certification exam with CSMLS (Canadian Society).  Once you have this, you can apply for BCSLS certification. You will also need to submit proof of industry experiences working in a lab (at least 120 hours) and proof of ECG training or ECG work experience. CSMLS MLA certification process

BCSLS certification:  Once you have a diploma from one of the above institutions, hold an MLPAO or CSMLS certificate then apply for BCSLS Certification.   

Re-issue your MLA BCSLS certificate for $15 

  • Link to the member page: https://members.bcsls.net/

  • Login to your account.

  • APPLY for the RE-ISSUE of your certification (right side of page), pay by credit card ($15). SAVE AND SUBMIT

  • Optional: Fill in all of your personal, professional, educational information and documentation and SAVE

  • We will mail you another certificate and upload a pdf to your account.

MLA 2022 GRADUATES - Free membership

SPECIAL: Apply for your BCSLS certification ($89) within 4 months of your graduation date and we will give you the current year's membership for FREE!!  When you are BCSLS certified and a BCSLS member, you receive professional liability insurance.

mla certification vs membership

BCSLS MLA Certification is a one-time process in which we validate that an individual has attained a recognized level of standards and training through BCSLS approved educational institutions.  Certification application is a one-time fee of $89.  Please read BCSLS certification options on this page for more specific information.

BCSLS MLA Membership is renewed each year for a 12 month period. Membership has many benefits: Leadership opportunities, significant discounts on educational seminars and Congress, the right to vote at the Annual General Meeting and hold elected office with BCSLS.  Membership is $93 annually. For more information go to our Membership webpage

MLA Professional Liability Insurance

Medical Laboratory Assistants who are current BCSLS members (annual renewal) and are also BCSLS certified are entitled to professional liability insurance. 

Some level of uncertainty is present in all lab work. But your professional status is NOT dependent on random variables.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY - As a Medical Laboratory Assistant, you’re aware that contamination, experimental errors, random errors or even human errors can happen at any time during sample processing or analysis. And that’s despite taking all of the proper precautions. Unfortunately, in your profession, a mistake can pose a great risk. That’s because a doctor’s treatment plan relies on your findings.  This type of coverage protects you against liability or damages due to allegations of a negligent act, error, omission or malpractice arising from your profession as a Medical Laboratory Assistant and within your scope of practice including delegated acts communicated by a Laboratory or Medical Practitioner.

How to apply for bcsls mla certification

  • Link to the member page: https://members.bcsls.net/

  • Press CREATE NEW ACCOUNT or Login to your existing account.

  • APPLY for your certification (right side of page), pay by credit card ($89). SAVE AND SUBMIT

    • APPLY for your membership (right side of page). (Recent MLA grads do not need to do this part)

  • You will need to upload your MLA diploma

  • Optional: Fill in all of your personal, professional, educational information and documentation and SAVE

  • Your certification will be pending until BCSLS has approved your application.

  • We recommend also getting your BCSLS membership too. Remember, if you are BCSLS certified and a current member, then you will have our professional liability insurance

Medical Laboratory Technologists

medical laboratory technologist certification

You must be certified with the CSMLS to work as an MLT in BC.  

Canadian Trained Lab Professionals

Internationally Trained Lab Professionals

Medical Laboratory Technologist membership

You can become a member of BCSLS, regardless of your MLT Certification process with CSMLS. For more information see our Membership page.