FAQs

The prerequisites for the UCI-CLS program are the same as that used by Laboratory Field Services (LFS), which are set by the State of California. Our program will defer to LFS as to whether a specific course meets the prerequisite requirements. Therefore, questions as to specific prerequisites should be directed to LFS (LFSscientist@cdph.ca.gov) since they ultimately need to approve your courses to issue you a CLS trainee license.

All three describe the same profession. MLS is used by some states and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Personnel (NAACLS), and CLS is the term used by the California Department of Public Health. CLS replaced the older designation: MT.

Yes. You can submit your application as long as you complete all required courses in time to obtain a CLS training license from LFS in the year in which you intend to begin training.

No. All courses must be completed prior to the start of training so you will be eligible for issuance of the CLS trainee license. The license must be in possession and current when training begins.

Yes. We recommend a degree in those sciences because many of their academic requirements overlap with our admissions criteria. Since the training is lab-based, we recommend a background that emphasizes hands-on laboratory courses. However, as long as you satisfy admission requirements, your bachelor’s degree in another discipline from a regionally accredited college/university is acceptable.

Yes, online courses are acceptable.

No. You must have taken a course in medical microbiology (e.g., medical bacteriology or bacterial pathogenesis).

A number of institutions offer these specific courses. Some are in person, and some are offered online. Our CLS program does not recommend institutions or courses, but a few to look into are those offered through UC Berkeley Extension, UC San Diego Extension, UC Davis Extension, and several California State Universities such as Long Beach, Dominguez Hills and San Diego.

Ultimately, it is up to Laboratory Field Services (LFS), the agency that grants CLS training licenses, to approve specific courses. It is always a good idea to check with LFS should you have specific questions regarding courses. We defer to the LFS decision as to prerequisite course acceptability.

Yes. However, you must meet additional admission requirements. Applicants with foreign (non-U.S.) degrees must have their original transcripts evaluated by an acceptable agency and have the evaluation sent directly to the training program. Refer to the information published by Laboratory Field Services regarding transcript evaluation services that will be accepted. The evaluation must include a course-by-course identification of courses, credits and grades. Foreign-degree candidates must complete at least 30 semester units (45 quarter units) at a U.S. college or university in upper division science courses. If the applicant does not have U.S. citizenship, they must have permanent residency in the U.S. or DACA documentation.

All candidates, regardless of credentials, must meet the same admissions criteria. If your credential is from another country, you must also meet the additional requirements stated above.

No. The training program at UCI Medical Center is a postbaccalaureate certificate program. Graduates receive a certificate of completion, but the program does not award a degree.

Clinical laboratory work experience is not a requirement for admission. However, it is much to your benefit to obtain exposure to the CLS profession from the “bench” perspective. The clinical lab environment is quite different from that of a research lab or college laboratory course. These different laboratories may share certain methods and techniques, but working conditions are unique in each situation. Because CLS training does require a full-time, one-year commitment, it is best to see beforehand whether it really is to your liking. Opportunities to obtain such experience may come from volunteering in a clinical lab or working as a phlebotomist, lab assistant or lab technician.

Admission to the program has become increasingly competitive. The number of applications we receive varies from year to year but has been on an upward trend. Since our program only admits up to six students per year, we generally have more qualified applicants than available positions.