Clinical Reproductive Biologist Scientist License
āThank you for your interest in the California Clinical Reproductive Biologist Scientist license. Laboratory Field Services (LFS) requires applicants to submit documentation of academic coursework, clinical training, or work experience to qualify for licensure.ā
Please note that biotech/pharmaceutical, forensic, academic, veterinary, research, and student laboratory experience cannot count as work experience or training for any clinical license.
Scope of Practice
This license permits you to perform testing in all areas of the specialty of reproductive biology.
Academic Requirements
- Bachelor's degree (baccalaureate) or an equivalent or higher degree in Reproductive Biology or field related to Reproductive Biology
Transcripts
Laboratory Field Services Personnel Licensing Section requires you to provide your official transcript from an accredited academic institution to determine whether you meet the degree and coursework requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be signed by the school registrar, indicate date of graduation and degree awarded, and postal mailed to LFS in a sealed envelope directly from the college or university. We do not accept scanned, or photocopies of transcripts uploaded or emailed by the applicant for authentication purposes. If your transcript is under a different last name, you must upload legal proof of name change to associate the name discrepancy.
Mail the official transcripts to:
Laboratory Field Services ā PLS Program
850 Marina Bay Parkway
Bldg. P, 1st Floor
Richmond, CA 94804
Non-US transcripts
All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an LFS approved evaluation service to determine if your education is equivalent to an accredited college or university education in the U.S. LFS will accept educational transcript evaluations by āCurrent Members" of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), and āEndorsed Members" of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) if completed on or after August 15, 2016. Evaluations completed before August 15, 2016, will only be accepted if completed by AACRAO. The evaluation service will send an evaluation of your educational institution and academic courses directly to LFS. Official transcript from the university is required in addition to the evaluation.
To obtain an application, instructions, and information, visit them on the web:
If you are an applicant whose education is from a non-U.S. school, college, university, please make sure that your name is printed in English on all your transcripts and supporting documents and that it matches the name on the application.
Request the evaluation company to postal mail the evaluation directly to:
Laboratory Field Services ā PLS Program
850 Marina Bay Parkway
Bldg. P, 1st Floor
Richmond, CA 94804
Training or Experience
- One (1) year of post-baccalaureate training.
Special Condition(s):
- Training requirements may be waived in lieu of one (1) year of work experience.
- Training must be comprehensive to cover all areas of clinical reproductive biology.
- Training must be in a laboratory acceptable to the Department.
OR
- One (1) year of experience.
Special Conditions:
- Experience requirements may be waived in lieu of one (1) year of training.
- Work experience must be comprehensive to cover all areas of clinical reproductive biology.
- Work experience must be in a laboratory acceptable to the Department.
Examinations
LFS Interim Steps in the Review of Applications for New Limited Scientist License Types
Pursuant to Section 1261.5 of the Business and Professions Code, as of January 1, 2023, LFS is authorized to issue limited clinical laboratory scientist license in reproductive biology.
In response to the increased interest in these new limited clinical laboratory scientist categories and the anticipated influx of applications, LFS is announcing the following interim steps it will take during the license application review process for these new limited scientist categories. These interim steps are consistent with the language and intention of Chapter 473 of the Statutes of 2022, which added reproductive biologists to the types of clinical laboratory personnel licensed and regulated by LFS.
LFS Certifying Examination Policy for Clinical Reproductive Biologist Scientist
LFS will work on the process of approving the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) to administer its Embryology Laboratory Scientist and Andrology Laboratory Scientist certification examinations. In the interim, it will consider and accept, on a case-by-case basis, applicants with either of the following:
- AAB certifications in Embryology Laboratory Scientist or Andrology Laboratory Scientist.
- American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) certifications as a Technical Supervisor in Embryology or Andrology.
Applicants will also have to complete the online California quiz on state laboratory laws and regulations. During the application submission process, you will automatically be required to take and pass the online California Quiz on state laboratory laws and regulations.
For further inquiries pertaining to the scientist new license types, please contact LFSscientist@cdph.ca.gov.
Renewal
Once you receive your license you will need to renew it every two years. To renew, you must pay a fee and submit documentation of continuing education. For information about the renewal process please visit the LFS renewal web page.
Resources
Helpful links
CLS Training Programs
LFS Approved Certification Examinations
Statutes and regulations
California Business and Professions Code, Clinical Laboratory Technology, Licensing
California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 1031.3, Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientists
āThe requirements listed may not be comprehensive.ā
How to Apply
Visit the LFS online application website to create an account and submit an application.
Apply Online *You will need to pay your application fee online.
Additional Information:
- Official verification of training or work experience must be on letterhead and signed by the training coordinator or laboratory director and must show the beginning and ending dates of the training or experience. This information should cover all areas in which the rotation was completed with a description of the clinical laboratory tests or examinations performed.
- Applicants are automatically required to take and pass the online California Quiz on state laboratory laws and regulations during the application submission process.
*Incomplete application packages may be considered abandoned. All applicants whose applications have been abandoned who wish to re-apply must pay a new non-refundable application fee.
Documents you may need for your application
- Official transcript showing your baccalaureate degree or higher in reproductive biology or field related to reproductive biology.
- NACES or AICE course-by-course evaluation.
- Verification of one year of post-baccalaureate training.
OR
Verification of one year of on-the-job experience in a laboratory acceptable to the Department. - Verification of certification examination for the license type.
- Online California quiz on state laboratory laws and regulations.
For additional information you may contact LFSscientist@cdph.ca.gov. ā