How Registration Reforms Are Tackling Canada’s MLT Shortage
Streamlining the MLT registration process to make it more accessible, transparent, and efficient will help get qualified professionals into the workforce faster
Adam Chrobak, BSc, MBA, MLT, is the registrar/CEO of the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the vice-chair of the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR), and one of the project leads on the Flexible Pathways to Registration for MLTs project.
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Remember when getting a driver’s license meant standing in line for hours, filling out piles of paperwork, and hoping everything went smoothly? Now, thanks to digital transformation, we can schedule tests online, upload documents with a few clicks, and track our progress—And it’s about time that Canada’s medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) could do that too.
At the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators, also known as CAMLPR, we’ve been working on streamlining the MLT registration process to make it more accessible, transparent, and efficient.
The shortage of MLTs in Canada is real, and these reforms will help get qualified professionals into the workforce faster. Let’s take a closer look at what’s changing and why it matters.
A smarter, more flexible registration process
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all registration. Our new process is built to recognize diverse applicant backgrounds and create clearer pathways to registration.
Here’s what’s new:
- Personalized applicant portals—Your application, progress, and next steps all in one place.
- Self-assessment tools—A way to check your readiness (optional for Canadian-trained applicants).
- Education and prior learning assessments—Helping internationally educated MLTs (IEMLTs) and nontraditional applicants qualify.
- Competency-based exams—Choose exams based on specific fields of practice to tailor your certification.
The goal? A system that makes sense, eliminates unnecessary roadblocks, and gets more skilled professionals into labs where they’re urgently needed.
Empowering educators with the right tools
To ensure new MLTs are prepared for the demands of the field, we’ve released Field-of-Practice Competency Profiles—detailed outlines of what entry-level MLTs should know and be able to do.
We’ve also developed tools to support educators, including:
- Exam Blueprint—Indicates the percentage of questions dedicated to each competency category.
- DACUM (Developing A Curriculum) Framework—A breakdown of MLT responsibilities to help shape better training programs.
- Recommended textbooks & resources—Ensuring students have the materials they need to succeed.
Competency-based exams will test both theory and practical skills, allowing applicants to take individual or bundled exams depending on their background and career goals.
Fair and transparent fees
Cost is sometimes a barrier for applicants. Our new fee structure ensures applicants only pay for the assessments they need, based on their fields of practice. It’s clear, it’s fair, and it makes it less costly to pursue registration.
Bridging gaps with education & training
For internationally prepared MLTs and those from nontraditional backgrounds, the path to registration can be challenging. That’s why CAMLPR is partnering with The Michener Institute of Education at UHN to offer field-of-practice bridging courses. This initiative helps qualified professionals get up to speed and into the workforce more quickly.
IEMLTs and nontraditional applicants who demonstrate the competencies to work in a field but may have a gap in skills or education can take the bridging courses to help them bridge the gap.
Bridging education can also be used by MLTs wishing to enhance their knowledge and practice.
How this addresses the MLT shortage
The demand for MLTs outpaces the supply, causing delays in diagnostics and increased pressure on existing staff. Here’s how these reforms will help:
- More qualified professionals—Expanding the talent pool by making registration more accessible.
- Faster registration—A streamlined system means applicants can start working sooner.
- Targeted workforce solutions—Field-of-practice registration ensures specialists fill the most urgent gaps.
- Attracting more people to the profession—A transparent, supportive process encourages more applicants.
Strengthening the healthcare system
This is a major step forward for MLTs in Canada. By removing barriers and modernizing the registration process, we’re helping individuals join the professional and strengthening the entire healthcare system.
For more details, check out our resources or reach out at info@camlpr.org. Let’s work together to build a stronger, more resilient MLT workforce in Canada.