How to Become a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Ontario
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario to work as a medical laboratory technologist in Ontario or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- medical laboratory technologist
Show the source
“9. (1) No person other than a member shall use the title “medical laboratory technologist”, a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language. 1991, c. 28, s. 9 (1)”
From cmlto.com/laws-legislation-governing-mlt-practice, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps
- Licensed in another province: 6 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 8 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
-
Provide proof that you are eligible to work in Canada, such as a passport, birth certificate or permanent resident card.
Source
“1. have proof of eligibility to work in Canada (i.e., passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates -
Obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or Vulnerable Sector Check within the six months before applying.
Source
“2. obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or Vulnerable Sector Check within the six months preceding the application”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates -
Show active engagement through a clinical placement, employment letters or approved refresher courses within the three years before the application.
Source
“3. provide proof of active engagement: - Medical Laboratory Science clinical placement in the preceding three years proven through submission of an EQual accredited MLT program degree/diploma, transcript, etc.; or - Employment letter(s) with employer address, job title, list of duties performed, practice hours, and dates employed demonstrating the applicant was engaged as a MLT in the three years preceding their application; or - Successful completion of refresher courses approved by the CMLTO within the three years preceding the date of the application.”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates -
Demonstrate that you successfully passed the CSMLS MLT exam or the CAMLPR MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s).
Source
“4. demonstrate proof that you successfully passed a Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLT exam or Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates -
Provide proof of MLT education such as an EQual accredited program degree or diploma, official transcript, letter of completion, or an equivalent Prior Learning Assessment.
Source
“5. provide proof of MLT education - EQual accredited MLT program degree/diploma, official transcript, or letter of completion; or - Equivalent Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) completed by the CSMLS or CAMLPR”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates -
Wait for an approval notice and pay the applicable registration fee before working or using the title.
Source
“REMEMBER: YOU CANNOT WORK AS A MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST NOR USE THE TITLE “MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST” IN ONTARIO, UNTIL YOU RECEIVE AN APPROVAL NOTICE AND YOU PAY THE APPLICABLE REGISTRATION FEE”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
-
Provide proof that you are eligible to work in Canada, such as a passport, birth certificate or permanent resident card.
Source
“1. have proof of eligibility to work in Canada (i.e., passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants -
Obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or Vulnerable Sector Check within the six months before the application.
Source
“2. obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or Vulnerable Sector Check within the six months preceding the application”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants -
Show active engagement through a clinical placement, employment letters or approved refresher courses within the three years before the application.
Source
“3. provide proof of active engagement - Medical Laboratory Science clinical placement in the preceding three years proven through submission of an EQual accredited MLT program degree/diploma, transcript, etc.; or - Employment letter(s) with employer address, job title, list of duties performed, practice hours, and dates employed demonstrating the applicant was engaged as a MLT in the three years preceding their application; or - Successful completion of refresher courses approved by the CMLTO within the three years preceding the date of the application”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants -
Obtain a Letter of Standing from the Canadian regulatory body where you currently hold equivalent registration.
Source
“4. have a Letter of Standing from a Canadian regulatory body in which you have current registration that is equivalent to the CMLTO Practising certificate”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants -
If applying through As of Right, complete and submit the CMLTO Attestation Form.
Source
“5. If applying through As of Right, complete and submit the CMLTO Attestation Form”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants -
Submit an application and pay the application assessment fee to the College before working as an MLT in Ontario under the As of Right exemption.
Source
“submit the attestation form, an application and pay the application fee to the College prior to working as an MLT in Ontario,”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 8 done
- 8 steps without a listed fee
-
Complete a Prior Learning Assessment demonstrating equivalence to the national competency profile(s), a process completed by CAMLPR.
Source
“Please note that these individuals must complete a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) demonstrating their equivalence to the national competency profile(s). The PLA process is completed by the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professions Regulators (CAMLPR).”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduates -
Provide proof that you are eligible to work in Canada, such as a passport, birth certificate or permanent resident card.
Source
“1. have proof of eligibility to work in Canada (i.e., passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduates -
Obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or Vulnerable Sector Check within the six months before your application.
Source
“2. obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or Vulnerable Sector Check within the six months preceding your application.”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduates -
Show active engagement through a clinical placement, employment letters or approved refresher courses within the three years before the application.
Source
“3. provide proof of active engagement - Medical Laboratory Science clinical placement in the preceding three years, proven through submission of an EQual accredited MLT program degree/diploma, transcript, etc.; or - Employment letter(s) with employer address, job title, list of duties performed, practice hours, and dates employed demonstrating the applicant was engaged as a MLT in the three years preceding their application; or - Successful completion of refresher courses approved by the CMLTO within the three years preceding the date of the application”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduates -
Demonstrate that you successfully passed the CSMLS MLT exam or the CAMLPR MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s).
Source
“e proof that you successfully passed a Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLT exam or Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduates -
Provide proof of MLT education such as an EQual accredited program credential, transcript, letter of completion, or an equivalent Prior Learning Assessment.
Source
“5. provide proof of MLT education - EQual accredited MLT program degree/diploma, official transcript, or letter of completion; or - Equivalent Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) completed by the CSMLS or CAMLPR”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduates -
Provide evidence of reasonable fluency in English or French.
Source
“6. provide evidence of reasonable fluency in English or French.”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduates -
Wait for an approval notice and pay the applicable registration fee before working or using the title.
Source
“REMEMBER: YOU CANNOT WORK AS A MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST NOR USE THE TITLE “MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST” IN ONTARIO, UNTIL YOU RECEIVE AN APPROVAL NOTICE AND YOU PAY THE APPLICABLE REGISTRATION FEE”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduates
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
8 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Job posting fee: $357.14
Source
“Did you know that The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) will post employment opportunities for medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) in Ontario? The fee for this service is *$357.14 + HST.*”
cmlto.com/job-posting-resources-2
Requirements
Education
Applicants must provide proof of MLT education from an EQual accredited program or an equivalent Prior Learning Assessment.
Source
“5. provide proof of MLT education - EQual accredited MLT program degree/diploma, official transcript, or letter of completion; or - Equivalent Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) completed by the CSMLS or CAMLPR”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates
Experience
Applicants must show active engagement as an MLT, through a clinical placement, employment or approved refresher courses, within the three years preceding the application.
Source
“3. provide proof of active engagement: - Medical Laboratory Science clinical placement in the preceding three years proven through submission of an EQual accredited MLT program degree/diploma, transcript, etc.; or - Employment letter(s) with employer address, job title, list of duties performed, practice hours, and dates employed demonstrating the applicant was engaged as a MLT in the three years preceding their application; or - Successful completion of refresher courses approved by the CMLTO within the three years preceding the date of the application.”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates
Police check
Applicants must obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or Vulnerable Sector Check within the six months preceding the application.
Source
“2. obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or Vulnerable Sector Check within the six months preceding the application”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates
Insurance
Applicants using the As of Right exemption must hold Professional Liability Insurance that extends coverage to Ontario.
Source
“hold Professional Liability Insurance that extends coverage to Ontario.”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants
Other
Applicants must have proof of eligibility to work in Canada, such as a passport, birth certificate or permanent resident card.
Source
“1. have proof of eligibility to work in Canada (i.e., passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduatesApplicants must demonstrate that they successfully passed the CSMLS MLT exam or the CAMLPR MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s).
Source
“4. demonstrate proof that you successfully passed a Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLT exam or Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduatesApplicants must provide evidence of reasonable fluency in English or French.
Source
“6. provide evidence of reasonable fluency in English or French.”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduatesLabour mobility applicants must be in good standing with their current regulatory body, with no professional conduct or registration concerns.
Source
“medical laboratory technologists registered in another Canadian province or territory may start working in Ontario if they are in good standing with their current regulatory body (i.e., no professional conduct or registration concerns)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
An MLT registered in another Canadian province or territory may apply for registration with the CMLTO and, as of July 24, 2023, may start working in Ontario if in good standing after completing a CMLTO application and paying the application assessment fee, with no entry-to-practice exam or competence assessment mentioned. Source
“Also, as of July 24, 2023, medical laboratory technologists registered in another Canadian province or territory may start working in Ontario if they are in good standing with their current regulatory body (i.e., no professional conduct or registration concerns) and must have completed a CMLTO application including payment of the application assessment fee.”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
Exams
-
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLT exam
Source
“4. demonstrate proof that you successfully passed a Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLT exam or Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates -
Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s)
Source
“4. demonstrate proof that you successfully passed a Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLT exam or Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s)”
cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $23.00 | $42.00 | $50.00 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $25.13 | $39.00 | $49.00 | — |
Medical laboratory technologists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Compare medical laboratory technologist licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Laws & Legislation Governing MLT Practice – CMLTO cmlto.com/laws-legislation-governing-mlt-practice · fetched October 10, 2026
- Registration Requirements for EQual Accredited Program Graduates – CMLTO cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-equal-accredited-graduates · fetched October 10, 2026
- Registration Requirements for Labour Mobility Applicants – CMLTO cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-labour-mobility-applicants · fetched October 10, 2026
- Registration Requirements for Non-EQual Accredited Program Graduates – CMLTO cmlto.com/registration-requirements-for-non-equal-accredited-graduates · fetched October 10, 2026
- CMLTO Job Board and Posting an MLT Job – CMLTO cmlto.com/job-posting-resources-2 · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a medical laboratory technologist in Ontario?
Yes. Registration with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario is required to practise in Ontario, and to use the title medical laboratory technologist.
Which exams are required?
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLT exam, Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) MLT Field(s) of practice examination(s).
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