Update for the 2026 Admission Cycle
In alignment with new California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulations for Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) licensure, the department will begin phasing out the BIOL 400: Principles of Biology prerequisite and phasing in BIOL 430 and BIOL 431 (Anatomy and Physiology).
For the 2026 admission cycle, applicants may meet the biology prerequisite with either BIOL 400 or BIOL 430 and BIOL 431. In addition, all students, including previous applicants, must complete either BIOL 440 (General Microbiology) or BIOL 442 (General Microbiology and Public Health).
Beginning with the 2027 admission cycle, BIOL 400 will no longer be accepted for new applications. Applicants who applied in prior cycles and met the minimum requirements at that time, including completion of BIOL 400, will be grandfathered in and will not be required to complete additional coursework to maintain eligibility.
MLT Trainee License Requirement
Students accepted into the MLT program will be required to apply for, and obtain, a valid MLT Trainee License from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). This requirement applies only after a student has been accepted and is not part of the application process.
The MLT Trainee License requirements can be somewhat unclear; however, according to CDPH, accepted candidates need only demonstrate completion of 6 units of Chemistry and 6 units of Biology to qualify. These requirements are already included within the MLT program prerequisites. That said, CDPH may request additional documentation or clarification during its review and could, in theory, determine that an accepted candidate is not eligible for the trainee license. Consequently, any accepted student deemed ineligible for the MLT Trainee License by CDPH will have their admission rescinded, as they cannot legally participate in clinical training in California.
Additional information about the MLT Trainee License process will be provided to candidates who are accepted into the program.
Analytical Chemistry or Quantitative Analysis for preCLS students
Per CDPH requirements, students pursuing Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) licensure must complete either an Analytical Chemistry course or a Quantitative Analysis course. Folsom Lake College offers CHEM 410: Quantitative Analysis through the Chemistry Department to satisfy this requirement.
Additional information about CLS licensure is available on the CDPH Laboratory Field Services website.
Individuals preparing to apply to a CLS training program should also review the CLS Trainee License guidelines.