Practice as a clinical laboratory technician and the use of the title "clinical laboratory technician" in New York State require certification, unless otherwise exempt under the law.
To be certified as a clinical laboratory technician in New York State you must meet all requirements, including:
You must file an application for certification and the other forms indicated, along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at the address specified on each form. It is your responsibility to follow up with anyone you have asked to send us material.
The specific requirements for certification and definition of practice are contained in Title 8, Article 165 of New York's Education Law and Subpart 79-15 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The laws and regulations are available on this website.
You should also read the general licensing information applicable for all professions.
The certification and first registration fee is $245.
The limited permit fee is $50 (the limited permit fee is not refundable).
Fees are subject to change. The fee due is the one in law when your application is received (unless fees are increased retroactively). You will be billed for the difference if fees have been increased.
NOTE: Payment submitted from outside the United States should be made by credit card, check or draft on a United States bank and in United States currency; payments submitted in any other form will not be accepted and will be returned.
Individuals who withdraw their certification application may be entitled to a partial refund.
If you withdraw your application, obtain a refund, and then decide to seek New York State certification at a later date, you will be considered a new applicant, and you will be required to pay the certification and registration fees and meet the certification requirements in place at the time you reapply.
NOTE: Different certification requirements may apply to persons who had applied for certification as a clinical laboratory technician in New York State prior to September 1, 2013. For additional information, email CLINLABD@nysed.gov.
To meet the education or alternative to education requirement for certification as a clinical laboratory technician, you must meet ONE of the six criteria described below.
You must document that:
Note: If you are currently ASCP (MLT) certified, you have already met the examination requirement for certification as a clinical laboratory technician. If you were originally certified ASCPi (MLT) on or after October 1, 2014, and are currently ASCPi (MLT) certified, you have already met the examination requirement for certification as a clinical laboratory technician.
To meet the examination requirements for licensure as a clinical laboratory technician, you must pass ONE of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification's examinations, as described below, with a converted score of at least 75. Refer to the chart below for the effective dates for acceptance of these exams.
Medical Laboratory Technician Examination
Examination Eligibility
Before you will be made eligible to take an examination for New York State, you must:
Reasonable Testing Accommodations
If you have a disability and may require reasonable testing accommodations for the examinations, please contact the ASCP Board of Certification at the website above or at:
ASCP Board of Certification
33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 1-800-267-2727
Fax: 312-541-4845
A limited permit authorizes an individual who has met all requirements for certification as a clinical laboratory technician, except for the examination requirement, to practice as a clinical laboratory technician in a specific setting.
The permit is valid for not more than 24 months and is not renewable. The permit holder shall be under the general supervision of the director of a clinical laboratory. Limited permit holders may not work at more than one clinical laboratory at a time. A limited permit holder who seeks to work in a different clinical laboratory must submit a new limited permit application to practice in such clinical laboratory and may not start practice until the limited permit is issued for the new setting and supervisor.
The supervising clinical laboratory director must serve the laboratory full-time, or on a regular part-time basis; ensure the supervision and technical performance of the limited permit holder, and be readily available for consultation with the limited permit holder, as needed; shall be responsible for the performance and findings of all tests carried out by the limited permit holder, either by directly overseeing such testing or by assigning qualified supervisors to provide onsite supervision of the permit holder.
If the clinical laboratory director named on the limited permit ceases to supervise the limited permit holder or is replaced by another clinical laboratory director, the limited permit holder must submit a new limited permit application form identifying the new director to the Department. The limited permit holder may only practice under the supervision of the clinical laboratory director when the new permit is issued; the limited permit will be issued for the unused portion of the 24-month limited permit period.
You may apply for a limited permit by submitting the Application for Limited Permit (Form 5) and limited permit fee of $50 at the same time or any time after you submit your application for certification (Form 1), $245 certification and first registration fee, and evidence of meeting the education or alternative to education requirements.