Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologists (IEMLT) Credential Assessment and Education Bursary Program
On July 19, 2022, the Province of British Columbia announced $4.5 million in bursary funding to support high priority internationally educated allied health professionals (IEAHPs) that want to work in B.C.’s health-care system. This program will be administered by Health Match BC (HMBC) and will be designed to recruit allied health professionals to the public sector. HMBC acts in an advisory capacity to support IEAHPs throughout their journey to practise in B.C., Canada.
A bursary of up to $13,204 CAD, plus applicable taxes, is available to assist internationally educated medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs) with the costs associated with becoming certified to work in B.C. HMBC, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health (MoH) will support eligible IEMLTs who want to work in B.C. by offering financial support to help pay for costs associated with credential assessment, English language proficiency testing, refresher, subject-specific or comprehensive courses, and optional bridging education
IEMLT Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this bursary, internationally educated medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs) must meet all of the following criteria:
- The applicant provides a supporting identification document. This document must contain legal first and last names.
- The applicant provides proof of a college or university diploma or degree from a medical laboratory technologist program from a country other than Canada.
- Acceptable education and work experience must be at the technologist level for clinical/diagnostic human testing not for research, plants, or animals.
- The applicant has initiated or will be initiating the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS).
- The applicant declares and signs a Return of Service (ROS) Agreement indicating that they intend to complete the full credentialing and certification process.
- This includes completion of the CSMLS Online Self-Assessment (OSA) and PLA, including satisfying any Learning Plan requirements by completing courses where directed, obtaining certification as a general Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) with CSMLS and working with a Qualifying Employer in B.C.’s public health-care sector for one year (if employment is over 0.5 full-time equivalent), or two years (if employment is 0.5 full-time equivalent or less).
- The applicant has a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Please note a SIN is not required to register for the bursary. If you are not currently residing in Canada and are eligible for the bursary, you will be reimbursed once you obtain your SIN, a Canadian address and phone number, and Canadian bank account information for direct deposit which are necessary for any reimbursements.
- The applicant must not currently hold (or have previously held) certification as an MLT in Canada with CSMLS and/or registration or licensure with any provincial MLT regulator.
Note: To ensure fair distribution of resources, if an applicant possesses qualifications in more than one profession that is eligible under the Internationally Educated Nurse Bursary Program and/or Internationally Educated Allied Health Bursary Program, the applicant must proceed with an application for only one profession (i.e., eligible for one funding stream only). Please contact your recruitment consultant for additional information, as multiple applications may result in funding being denied or returned to the Province.
What is the process for Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologists?
In B.C., general Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) must have certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) in order to practice as MLTs. For IEMLTs to work in B.C., the process begins through CSMLS, where the IEMLT will complete a required online Self-Assessment (OSA) to assess basic level knowledge about medical laboratory practice and identify knowledge gaps. After, the IEMLT will submit a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for evaluation and review. The PLA process has three (3) stages: 1) Pre-assessment, 2) Assessment, and 3) Post-Assessment. The CSMLS will review an IEMLT’s theoretical and clinical (practicum/internship) education, clinical work experience, academic credentials, and English or French language proficiency. Participants should follow the detailed instructions provided on the CSMLS website and in the most recent version of the CSMLS Prior Learning Assessment Medical Laboratory Technologist Information Handbook.
After reviewing the PLA, the CSMLS will provide the IEMLT with one of three possible responses:
Once an IEMLT has satisfied any assigned Learning Plan requirements, or was initially CSMLS Recognized, they will receive an exam eligibility statement and must successfully challenge the CSMLS MLT Certification exam. There is a maximum of three exam attempts allowed, and exam eligibility status is valid for 12 months after the date of issue. If the IEMLT is not successful on their first exam attempt, they must complete their second attempt within 12 months of initial exam eligibility. If the IEMLT is not successful on their second exam attempt, they will be placed into a Re-establishing Eligibility Learning Plan which must be completed before they can attend their third and final exam attempt.
Return of Service
IEMLTs must commit to a Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the B.C. Ministry of Health to receive financial support through this program. The ROS agreement states that you intend to complete the full credentialing and certification process and will work in B.C. with a public sector employer for a specified length of time.
The ROS is an agreement to work in the public health system for one year, if the participant’s employment is over a 0.5 full-time equivalent; or two years, if the participant’s employment is 0.5 full-time equivalent or less.
A publicly funded health sector employer includes regional health board designated under section 4(1) of the Health Authorities Act, Provincial Health Services Authority, or Providence Health Care; or (b) a publicly funded private laboratory provider that is approved by the Province in writing. For reference, Lifelabs and Dynacare Valley Medical Laboratories are the approved publicly funded private laboratory providers as of September 1, 2023. Qualifying employers EXCLUDE contract agencies supplying temporary and/or short-term staffing solutions to eligible facilities.
Note: Once eligibility has been confirmed, HMBC will send a ROS agreement to the applicant which must be signed and returned.
Financial Support (Bursaries)
Bursary amounts that may be available to the Participant, as applicable, relating to the IEMLT credentialing and certification process. All amounts are contingent on a signed ROS.
| Certification Process Steps Eligible for Bursary Program | Bursary Amount | Requirements for Reimbursement |
|---|---|---|
| Online Self-Assessment (OSA) through CSMLS | $60 CAD plus applicable taxes | Upon proof of payment to HMBC. |
| Application for CSMLS Prior Learning Assessment | Up to $1,850 CAD (PLA Stage 1 Fee: $975) (PLA Stage 2 Fee: $875) | Upon proof of payment for Participants who have submitted a PLA to CSMLS and are waiting for the results. A positive result letter (e.g., a Technical Report stating Learning Plan requirements or granting Exam Eligibility) from CSMLS is also required for Participants who have already completed the PLA with CSMLS. IEMLTs who have previously paid PLA Stage 1 Fee may be eligible for reimbursement of this cost, in addition to reimbursement of their PLA Stage 2 fee. |
| Credential Evaluation (WES or ICES) | $269 CAD plus applicable taxes | Reimbursement can occur upon completion and proof of payment provided to HMBC. |
| English Language Proficiency (ELP) testing if required for credentialing or certification process | Up to $800 CAD | After proof of payment for CSMLS assessment. The ELP test bursary is available for up to two (2) attempts of a CSMLS accepted test, whether an applicant is successful or not. Funding is up to $400 CAD per test and is based on official receipts and completion of testing from a recognized English Language Proficiency Test. |
| Refresher, Subject-Specific Courses and/or Comprehensive Courses Required by CSMLS (as outlined in Learning Plan) | Up to $3,000 CAD Courses range in cost and length, and students may need to take several to meet their Learning Plan requirements. | Upon proof of payment, copy of assigned Learning Plan, and course completion submitted to HMBC. |
| IEMLT Bridging Program offered by the Michener Institute (Optional, possible alternative to taking courses noted in the IEMLT’s Learning Plan) | $6,200 CAD | Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and course completion provided to HMBC, and upon commencement of the ROS with a Qualifying Employer. The applicant must submit the Province’s Return of Service Commencement Form |
| Travel bursary for optional in-person IEMLT Bridging Program offered by the Michener Institute. | Up to a $1,000 CAD travel subsidy to fund travel costs for out-of-town applicant | Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and course completion provided to HMBC, proof of address, and upon commencement of the ROS with a Qualifying Employer. The applicant must submit the Province’s Return of Service Commencement Form. |
| Maximum eligible bursary amount (with maximum education bursary amount and travel subsidy): | $13,204 CAD plus applicable taxes |
Note: Travel subsidies are calculated using estimated ferry costs and fuel consumption based on distance travelled from an applicant’s primary residence in B.C.
Documents Required
Bursary participants who are somewhere along the pathway to certification with CSMLS can submit receipts for eligible expenses incurred on or after July 19, 2022. To be eligible for the Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologists (IEMLTs) Bursary through HMBC, applicants must:
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