I need your OPINION for CLS License. My Long ROUTE!! Yes, very sad!!!

Hi,
I'm a B.S Chemistry at UC Davis, I'm interested in getting the CLS License. However, my GPA is not so promising 2.7/4.00 and I hvn't complete courses such as: Medical Mic, Immunology, and hematology!! Instead, I'm planning to take the long route, 1) getting my Phlebotomy Certification(Cost $2,500-$3000 in 10 weeks) 2) get into MLT program(1.5 Years) 3) take those required courses and
this process will take roughly 2 years. After I have my MLT license, apply for 1-year training program for CLS (If I don't get in), work as MLT in clinical lab. for 3 years then apply to take the ASCP exam. What do you guys think and give me some advices on what to do!! Thank you so much.

Thomas_TheChemist in Davis, California said: Hi,
I'm a B.S Chemistry at UC Davis, I'm interested in getting the CLS License. However, my GPA is not so promising 2.7/4.00 and I hvn't complete courses such as: Medical Mic, Immunology, and hematology!! Instead, I'm planning to take the long route, 1) getting my Phlebotomy Certification(Cost $2,500-$3000 in 10 weeks) 2) get into MLT program(1.5 Years) 3) take those required courses and
this process will take roughly 2 years. After I have my MLT license, apply for 1-year training program for CLS (If I don't get in), work as MLT in clinical lab. for 3 years then apply to take the ASCP exam. What do you guys think and give me some advices on what to do!! Thank you so much.

when did u get your degree?

I'm getting it in June 2010 =)

Courses such as clinical hematology, clinical micro, clinical chem, etc. in the MLT program (De Anza) can be substituted for pre-reqs for CLS programs such as hematology, med micro, quant chem, respectively (according to LFS). So after the MLT program (you may even skip the rotation if the director allows you to just take the classes)you can go straight to applying for CLS programs. Ask the director of the program if you can just attend the didactic part and verify with LFS if it is still acceptable, someone told me it should work.

Why do MLT if you're in CA? It's a waste. Apply straight to CLS programs with your bachelors and you probably would get in somewhere. Even if you do get your MLT license, you probably wouldn't qualify to get a CLS trainee license because your education wouldn't qualify.

Thomas_TheChemist in Davis, California said: I'm getting it in June 2010 =)

exactly, just directly into a CLS school. they'll take as much credits as possible. if your education was like 10 years ago,etc. then that is a different story. good luck!

Do not get your MLT. People will treat you like c rap and blame you for everything that's wrong with the profession. There is definitely a caste system in the lab.

CLS48 in California said: Why do MLT if you're in CA? It's a waste. Apply straight to CLS programs with your bachelors and you probably would get in somewhere. Even if you do get your MLT license, you probably wouldn't qualify to get a CLS trainee license because your education wouldn't qualify.

Wait a minute!! Why won't the MLT License + my bachelors qualify me for a CLS trainee license? The reason why I wanted to do MLT first because my GPA is not that high and I'm afraid I won't get in..if I don't get in what would be the next time??

Thomas_TheChemist in Davis, California said: Wait a minute!! Why won't the MLT License + my bachelors qualify me for a CLS trainee license? The reason why I wanted to do MLT first because my GPA is not that high and I'm afraid I won't get in..if I don't get in what would be the next time??

It COULD work. If you go through with an MLT program and do your rotation at a hospital, this gives you a chance to get to know the education coordinator which are the ones responsible for selecting their interns for CLS programs. This would be your chance to impress and perhaps he/she can sponsor you as an intern for CLS after you have worked for them as an MLT/Lab assistant. But this is a long investment of time and it might not work. Note: Bachelors degree + MLT diploma sets you up for CLS b/c MLT courses covers all of the prereqs for CLS

Thomas,
Unfortunately you are correct about your GPA being a little too low to get accepted into one of the California one-year training programs. They are hyper-competitive with about 100 applicants each year and only 8-10 training spots depending on which school you are interested in. Since only about the top 10% of applicants get in, you really need a GPA of around 3.3 or higher unless you have some massive clinical experience. I think the best bet, although long, would be to go through the MLT route and after the required amount of time as an MLT, get certified as an MT. If you wanted to give the one-year program a shot, you're already on the right track with your B.S. in chemistry. You probably only have about 3 classes left to take (+/- biochemistry) and you can knock that out in a year or less. Of course, it never hurts to apply and see what happens! Hope this helps!

Thomas_TheChemist in Davis, California said: Wait a minute!! Why won't the MLT License + my bachelors qualify me for a CLS trainee license? The reason why I wanted to do MLT first because my GPA is not that high and I'm afraid I won't get in..if I don't get in what would be the next time??

if you really really want to be a CLS still, and i know Kali is competitive - you might need to look at other states.....perhaps NAACLS schools in Nevada? Arizona? Oregon? You will probably be spending a year or two to finish up. These might even have rotational programs included. If not, apply for rotational school in those states too. I hope you become what you want to be.

Well, some CLS programs don't need too many prereqs. I know that Loma Linda's program does not require you to take immunology, hematology, or microbiology before getting accepted. You just need some ochem, chem, bio, and some humanities classes to get accepted. You take hematology, immunology, etc. in the 1st year of the program with your 2nd year as rotations.

It just seems like you're wasting your time for nothing. Forget phlebotomy certification as it is useless to become a CLS.

CLS48 in California said: Well, some CLS programs don't need too many prereqs. I know that Loma Linda's program does not require you to take immunology, hematology, or microbiology before getting accepted. You just need some ochem, chem, bio, and some humanities classes to get accepted. You take hematology, immunology, etc. in the 1st year of the program with your 2nd year as rotations.

It just seems like you're wasting your time for nothing. Forget phlebotomy certification as it is useless to become a CLS.

Okay, I'll try this way instead. However,I totally forgot that I'm color blinded!! Do you think hospitals and other companies will test for color blindness? I'm screwed!! LMAO

Actually in order to get into some CLS programs you cannot be colorblind since some tests rely on color.

Thomas_TheChemist in Davis, California said: Okay, I'll try this way instead. However,I totally forgot that I'm color blinded!! Do you think hospitals and other companies will test for color blindness? I'm screwed!! LMAO

CAP requires testing for color blindness, but it does not advise the overall banning of color blind individuals from working. It may just result in a restriction (depending on color deficiency) and/or extra competencies. It should not stop anyone from attending a CLS program.

I have a degree in MLS and I am ASCP certified as as CLS/MT. I want to get my california license for CLS but this training thing is a hiccup. I was wondering if I can apply for my MLT license based on the fact that I am an MT... so I pretty much know more than I would need to as an MLT.
I'm gettin married which means I have to move to where my fiance is, and currently he's in Med school in Cali and I don't have the funds to go back to school yet again for another 2 years just to satisfy the "yr long probation" that Cali requires. Any suggestions?
PS. our senior yr consisted of rotations and classes as well, MOn-Fri from 6 am-2:30 pm. We didnt have a FULL 52 wks of going to the lab though as it was part didatic/part clinicals

Raina, funny you asked, I had an acquaintance with this exact same problem even a fiance going to med school moving to Cali. She tried for more than a month going through the appeals process only to have her case dropped because the time limit ran out because the beaurocrats took too long to respond. So what did she do? She moved back to her home state, worked part time at a med tech for two or three weeks, then moved back and applied for their license and boom, there it was. Hope this helps, good luck. -Nick