Clinical laboratory scientists who are certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry can now work in California without taking the state’s CLS exam.

The California Department of Health Services now allows qualified people to submit an application for state licensure documenting their education, training and successful passing of the ASCP medical technologist certification exam. California-based applicants who meet ASCP certification requirements can chose to be ASCP certified and work in other states.

ASCP BOR is the first national accrediting body whose examination is approved for California licensing, but other certifying examinations are under review for CLS and other specialties.

In the next few years the state plans to stop offering state-administered licensing examinations in favor of approved certification ones.

To qualify to take the ASCP BOR MT examination, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree and completed an accredited medical technologist program. California applicants may complete a CLS training program approved by the state.

www.ascp.org