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Governor Signs Bill Expanding Career Pathway for Medical Laboratory Technicians

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Earlier this week, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 334 (Chapter 144, Statutes of 2019), which requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to establish a pathway program that allows licensed medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) to apply their MLT work experience and training toward the completion of a clinical lab scientist (CLS) training program. 

Historically, MLTs have not been able to apply their work experience toward licensure as a CLS, creating an unnecessary and redundant hurdle for MLTs seeking to advance their training. Allowing MLTs to apply their clinical training toward CLS licensure, while retaining the additional educational and training requirements to obtain a CLS license, will create a career ladder in the laboratory field that is essential to addressing the lab personnel shortage. 

CDPH has until Jan.1, 2022, to establish this new pathway.