Why should I get a CLS license?
There are many reasons as to why California is a great state for Clinical Lab Scientists (CLS) to work in, aside from elevated pay.
California’s fantastic weather, paired with the state’s amazing scenery and attractions, make it a top travel destination. No matter what you choose to do, the one thing we know is you won’t get bored on assignment!
As a laboratory professional, obtaining the license can be tricky. Below are four things to consider when applying for your California license as a CLS.
If you’ve passed the ASCP exam after October 2002, you DON”T have to retake it to be eligible for the CA license. If you became certified before October 2002, retaking the certifying exam is REQUIRED to be eligible to work in California.
Applicant information
To save the headache, organize your documents before starting the application. This mean contacting you’re alma mater to send transcripts and credits earned in rotations, digging out personal ID forms like SSN & birth certificate, and having previous Lab Directors send proof of all work experience/on-the-job training. It is important to note that all documents related to work experience, training, or education must be sent by your employer or university/college to California’s Laboratory Field Services
Education requirements
To meet education requirements for the license, CLS’s must have taken 18 semesters or equivalent quarter hours of Biological science, 16 semester or equivalent in Chemistry, and 3 semester or equivalent in Physics. Click here to see all CLS approved training programs and affiliates.
Training and/or Internship
Training requirements include a minimum of one year of post-baccalaureate clinical training as a CLS or a minimum of one year work experience as a CLS performing high complexity testing in hematology, chemistry, blood bank, and microbiology.
Experience
After you’ve obtained the proper education, you will need one year experience in a clinical setting to be eligible to apply for the California license. Anticipate an application fee that is due at the end of registration.
Expect the application process to take anywhere between 3-6 months. Contact the Laboratory Field Services office after four weeks, and every week after, to check the status of your application. This will ensure it is moving along in the process.
Chase Ahlers is a Social Media Recruiter for the Medical Laboratory division Aureus Medical Group.