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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO)?

To work as a medical laboratory technologist (MLT) in Ontario, you must be registered with the provincial regulatory body, the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO). The CMLTO was established in 1993, by a law titled, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. The CMLTO membership is composed approximately 7,000 regulated MLTs who serve Ontario’s citizens.

Once registered, MLTs must practice their profession in accordance with the CMLTO regulations and standards. This process protects the public’s right to safe, effective, ethical service from MLTs.

Only members of the CMLTO may use the restricted title medical laboratory technologist, the designation MLT and work, in Ontario, as medical laboratory technologists.

Learn about applying to the CMLTO in the Applicant’s Section .  If you have any questions, please contact the CMLTO office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 416-861-9605 [toll-free in Canada: 1-800-323-9672] ext. 221 or 226.

 

How is an application processed?

Please view our process map that outlines the major steps and timelines for processing an application.

 

What is required to register?

The CMLTO has two classes of registration : Practising and Non-Practising. To register in the Practising class of registration, an applicant must:

• be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or have an authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)

AND

• obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check within the six months preceding application

AND

• Successfully complete a Health Standards Organization (HSO)-accredited MLT education program.

 

OR

• Graduate from a baccalaureate degree program from a Canadian university, whose major course content, both lecture and practical, is relevant to medical laboratory technology, and has been approved by the Registration Committee of the CMLTO.

OR

• Show proof of graduation from a program assessed as equivalent to a Canadian MLT program. This assessment must be made by the CSMLS Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) within the past two years.

AND

• Show proof of a certificate or statement of passing grade (successful completion) of the certification examination offered by the CSMLS, in the specialty/specialties in which registration is being sought.

AND
All applicants for registration with the CMLTO must meet all registration requirements including the ability to provide objective evidence of reasonable fluency in English and/or French.

1. Successful completion of a medical laboratory science program that was accredited by the Health Standards Organization (HSO) (or its predecessor, the Canadian Medical Association conjoint accreditation services) at the time the applicant completed their medical laboratory science program; or

2. Achievement of the minimum scores outlined below in one of the Registration Committee (RC) approved language fluency tests;

Test section TOEFL iBT CELPIP - G IELTS – GT TEF     TCF
MELA*
Listening 24 8 7.5 280-297
503-522 8
Reading 23 8 6.5 233-247
499-523 8
Writing 21 7 6.0 310-348
10-11 7
Speaking 24 8 6.5 349-370
12-13 8
Overall/Total 92 - - 500-532
-









Language fluency test results provided to the CMLTO as part of an application for registration must not be more than two years old at the time of application to the CMLTO. 

For more information, please refer to the Registration Committee Policy 03: Language Fluency Requirements available here / Pour plus d'informations, allez ici.

AND

• Show proof of active engagement (use of knowledge, skills, and judgement as a medical laboratory technologist) in medical laboratory technology in the three years preceding the application.

OR

• Show proof of successful completion of a CMLTO-approved refresher course in the three years preceding the application.

Please note, an applicant who has not been actively engaged in medical laboratory technology may need to take a refresher course. The required number of refresher course hours depends on the number of years since the applicant last practiced as an MLT.

 

Where can I find the registration application?

Access the online CMLTO registration application at www.cmlto-onlineservices.com Please read the application instructions before completing the application. If you meet all the requirements, please complete the application online and send the required documentation to the CMLTO.

 

How do I apply for the CSMLS Examination?

To obtain information about the CSMLS certification examination, please contact the CSMLS at 1-800-263-8277 or visit www.csmls.org.

 

What happens if I cannot get the documents required for registration with the CMLTO?

The application for registration and instructions clearly state which documents are required for registration. When the required official documents are not available, and the applicant has made reasonable attempts to secure the paperwork, the CMLTO will consider a number of alternative documents.

 

How long does it take to process an application?

In most cases, applications can be processed within three weeks provided the application is complete and the applicant meets all criteria.

Applications that do not meet the specified criteria are referred to the Registration Committee for a decision that could result in a longer processing time.

Applicants should take note that incomplete applications will lapse 35 calendar days after the applicant is notified, e.g., if supporting documentation or payment of the required fee is not received.

 

How do I get access to my records at CMLTO?

Upon written request, the CMLTO will provide an applicant, at no charge, with his or her application material and a copy of each document the College has on file that is relevant to the application. Call the CMLTO office at 416-861-9605 [toll-free in Canada: 1-800-323-9672] ext. 221 or 226.

 

What if I do not meet all of the registration requirements?

The Registrar & CEO refers the application to the Registration Committee (RC). This is called an internal review. The RC normally meets every two months. A decision from the RC is mailed within four weeks of the meeting date.

Applicants seeking clarification of a RC decision may call the CMLTO office. Applicants who submit additional information after the decision has been made may be referred back to the RC. This is called an internal appeal. The case is normally reviewed at the next scheduled meeting of the RC.

You can appeal any RC decision to the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB). Information on the HPARB appeal process is posted at www.hparb.on.ca under FAQs.

Flowchart showing the process of referring an application to the Registration Committee

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