What is the difference between the CSMLS and a provincial regulatory body?
CSMLS is the national certifying body for medical laboratory technologists and medical laboratory assistants in Canada. It is also a voluntary professional society for medical laboratory professionals. CSMLS represents 14,000 members in Canada and around the world. Provincial regulatory bodies (also called regulatory colleges) establish the rules and regulations that determine who may practice as a medical laboratory technologist. Their primary role is to protect the public. CSMLS works in partnership with provincial regulatory bodies but is a completely separate organization. Regulatory bodies exist in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. If you wish to work as an MLT in any of these provinces, you must be registered with the provincial regulatory body. Medical laboratory assistants are not a regulated health profession in Canada at this time.
