CLS National Certification, Licensure, and Placement

National Certification.

Many organizations/institutions require national certification as a condition of employment. Two national certifying agencies, the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), grant a CLS(NCA) and a MT(ASCP) certification, respectively. Most graduates choose to take one examination or the other based on examination format, application fee, opportunities for professional development, the society's commitment to fostering the profession, etc. Students are encouraged to visit the NCA and ASCP web sites.

There are multiple routes for an individual to obtain national certification with NCA or ASCP, but the most popular route includes successful completion of the pertinent examination, along with a bachelor's degree and completion of a CLS program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), such as the University of Minnesota's nationally accredited CLS program. NAACLS accreditation assures that the CLS program has met specific national Standards that have been developed through a process that requires the input and review of peer groups, sponsoring and participating organizations, affiliating organizations and other interested professional groups.

Licensure

Licensed clinical laboratory scientists practice in accordance with the requirements of individual state laws. In some states, continuing education courses are required for license renewal. At the present time, Minnesota does not require a license to practice.

Placement

Graduates of the University of Minnesota's CLS Program are assisted in finding employment by the CLS program advisor. Notices of employment opportunities in the field are received from all parts of the United States and are posted in the CLS office. There is currently a critical national shortage of CLS professionals, and placement is essentially 100%.