Renewal of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Licenses and Certificates

California law requires license and certificate holders to renew California licenses and certificates every two years. 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 6 contact hours of continuing education provided by a Department-approved accrediting agency or an accredited academic institution within the last 2 years. Renewal of expired certificates require completion of 6 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 24 contact hours of continuing education provided by a Department-approved accrediting agency or an accredited academic institution within the last two years. 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 24 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. Please send a request for assistance to our Cherwell help desk by using our Contact Us link.