Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist Trainee License
Please be aware that you must request your school to postal mail your official transcript directly to LFS. If you have a non-US transcript, additionally, you must also have a course-by-course evaluation mailed by the evaluation service directly to LFS. These steps should be completed prior to submitting your trainee license application to avoid delay and the possibility of your application being considered abandoned if the documents are not received by LFS within 60 days of your application submission date. Please see further details and instructions near the end of this page under Academic Requirements.
Thank you for your interest in the California Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist Trainee license. Laboratory Field Services (LFS) requires applicants to submit documentation of academic coursework to qualify for licensure.
Work experience in California as an unlicensed laboratory staff person will not be accepted as qualification toward any clinical laboratory license. 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:
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Pertains to the diagnosis of human genetic disorders. It is not applicable for the molecular testing of infectious diseases, tissue typing, etc.
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Permits you only to train, not work, as a licensed Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist.
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Permits you to train in clinical genetic molecular biology in
Department-approved CLS training programs.
Academic requirements
Non-US transcripts
All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by "Current Members" of the
National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or "Endorsed Members" of the
Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). This allows LFS to determine if your education is equivalent to a U.S. college or university education.
Official transcript from the university is required
in addition to the
evaluation. The evaluation service will send an evaluation of your educational institution and academic courses directly to LFS.
To obtain an application, instructions, and information, visit them on the web:
If you are an applicant whose education and training/experience is from a non-U.S. school, college, university, or clinical laboratory, please make sure that your name is printed in English on all your transcripts and supporting documents and that it matches your name on the application.
Laboratory Field Services Personnel Licensing Section requires you to provide your official transcript from an accredited institution in order to review and determine your education and course qualifications. 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 source. 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
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, Clinical Laboratory Specialists
The requirements listed may not be comprehensive.
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.
*Incomplete application packages may be 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
For additional information you may contact
LFSscientist@cdph.ca.gov.