Renewal of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Licenses and Certificates

Starting January 1, 2026, all newly issued and renewed licenses and certificates will transition to a one-year renewal period. However, due to ongoing IT system upgrades, licenses and certificates submitted before March 19, 2026, may still show a two-year expiration date. If your license or certificate currently displays a two-year term, that expiration and renewal date remains valid only if the expiration falls before January 1, 2026.

For licenses with expiration dates on or after January 1, 2026, and renewed between January 1, 2026, and March 18, 2026, your next renewal will shift to an annual cycle. Even if your documentation lists a two-year expiration, you will receive notification about this transition to a yearly renewal.

All new licenses issued and renewals submitted from March 19, 2026, onward will follow the annual renewal cycle. This means you’ll need to complete and provide 3 continuing education (CE) units for certified phlebotomists or 12 CE units for licensed Scientists, Directors, Cytotechnologists, and MLTs, with all courses completed within the past 12 months.

Licenses issued or renewed in 2025 with an expiration date in 2027 remain valid and will not transition to a one-year renewal period until after the renewal in 2027.

It is strongly suggested to submit your renewal application at least 30 days prior to the expiration date to ensure that your renewal is processed before your license expires.

Renewal of national certification is optional and can only be done by contacting the national certifying organization directly.

Continuing Education Requirements

Phlebotomy Certificates

Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) and Certified Phlebotomy Technicians (CPT I and CPT II ) must complete a total of 3 contact hours of continuing education provided by a Department-approved accrediting agency or an accredited academic institution within the last year. Renewal of expired certificates require completion of 3 contact hours within the last 12 months.

All Other Clinical Laboratory Personnel Licenses

All licensed clinical laboratory personnel (including cytotechnologists, medical laboratory technicians, scientists, and directors) must complete a total of 12 contact hours of continuing education provided by a Department-approved accrediting agency or an accredited academic institution within the last year. Renewal of expired licenses require completion of 12 contact hours within the last 12 months.

All renewal applications submitted via the online system must include applicants' continuing education (CE) certificates and/or unofficial transcripts.

Transcripts are only acceptable if from an accredited school. Transcripts or lists of CE courses completed from a CE provider are not acceptable. Each certificate of completion must include the following information: Provider's name, your name, course name and number, number of CE credits, date of completion, and accredited agency number.
The first name and last name on each continuing education certificate must match the first and last name of the renewal applicant on the online system.

How to Renew Personnel Licenses and Certificates

Complete the required number of continuing education credits during the 12 months prior to submitting a renewal application (See the continuing education requirements above). Be sure to keep copies of your continuing education certificates and/or transcripts, as they will be required to be uploaded with your renewal application. Check your address and communication details in the system, so that your renewed license/certificate is sent to the correct address and to allow LFS to contact you if necessary.

If you have an existing account for the online application system, PERL:

Log in to the online application system, select your expiring license/certificate or the “Renew Licenses” button, and follow the prompts to complete and submit your renewal application.

If you have never used the online application system, PERL:

Create an account by visiting the online application system, and log in to your account. Follow the prompts to match your account to your license or certificate record in the system. Then, click the microscope icon on the homepage. Next, select your expiring license/certificate or click the “Renew Licenses” button, and follow the prompts to complete and submit your renewal application. If you have trouble in this area, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below. For technical issues, please send a request for assistance to our Cherwell help desk by using our Contact Us link.