Canadian Educated

What is the CMLTO?

To work as a medical laboratory technologist (MLT) in Ontario, you need to be registered with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO). While called a college, the CMLTO is a regulatory body rather than an educational body. The CMLTO was established in 1993 by a law titled, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. The CMLTO registration is composed of more than 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.

The CMLTO produced a short video describing the registration requirements and process for Canadian-educated MLTs in Ontario.

To access this video please click here. Sign-in registration is required.
Webinar Script in English (PDF) / En français (PDF)

How do I become eligible for a Practising Certificate of Registration?

You must:

1. be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or have an authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
2. obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check within the six months preceding application. For more information, please refer to the Registration Committee Policy 16: Background Check of Applicants available here (English) and Vérification des antécédents des candidats en français ici. 
3. have successfully completed a Health Standards Organization (HSO)  accredited MLT education program or equivalency, according to the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
4. have Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) certification (formerly CSLT)
5. a) have been actively engaged (used your knowledge, skill and judgement as an MLT) in the practice of medical laboratory technology during the three years immediately preceding the date of the application OR b) have successfully completed refresher courses approved by the CMLTO within the three years preceding the date of the application.

How do I become eligible for a Non-practising Certificate of Registration?

You must:

1. be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or have an authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
2. obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check within the six months preceding application. For more information, please refer to the Registration Committee Policy 16: Background Check of Applicants available here in English and Vérification des antécédents des candidats en français ici. 
3. have successfully completed a Health Standards Organization (HSO)  accredited MLT education program or equivalency, according to the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
4. have Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) certification (formerly CSLT).

Note that members with Non-Practising certificates of registration:

1. may not practice medical laboratory technology in Ontario
2. may call himself/herself a medical laboratory technologist (MLT) in Ontario
3. must upgrade to a Practising certificate of registration before starting to work as an MLT.

How do I apply for CMLTO registration?

1. Complete the online registration application.
2. Pay the registration application fee online (VISA or MasterCard accepted).
3. Print the Guarantor's verification form via the online application process.
4. Mail the supporting documentation along with the completed Guarantor's verification form to CMLTO.

Please refer to the Registration process map for further clarification.

How do I contact the CMLTO?
For further information, please contact the CMLTO Registration Department at 416-861-9605 [toll-free in Canada: 1-800-323-9672] ext. 1, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To apply for membership, please complete the online registration application.

View the complete Registration Regulation.

View the Frequently Asked Registration Questions.