Please see Apply to the MLT Program.
Unlike MLT, the department does not have a formal application process for pre-CLS students. Instead, the appropriate courses are simply opened to the general public, and students can enroll following the typical college course enrollment process. Once full, a waitlist will be implemented. We typically have some spots beyond the class cap, so being on the waitlist is important.
The MLT/pre-CLS trainee didactic courses also have general chemistry and biology prerequisites and it is strongly advised to do those first. These course prerequisites are also required to apply for the CLS trainee license from the State of California. So taking the general chemistry/biology courses first will ensure students are equipped with the tools they need to do well in the MLT/pre-CLS trainee didactic courses.
The following courses are offered for pre-CLS students
| Spring | |
|---|---|
| MEDTEC 310 Intro to Medical Laboratory Technology (2 units)* | |
| MEDTEC 323 Clinical Chemistry (5 units) | |
| MEDTEC 330 Hematology (5 units) | |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
| MEDTEC 324 Urine and Body Fluid Analysis (2 units)* | |
| Fall | |
|---|---|
| MEDTEC 340 Immunology and Immunohematology (5 units) | |
| MEDTEC 350 Clinical Microbiology (5 units) | |
* Not required for a CLS trainee license from California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
The requirements depend on your goal.
If you're pursuing an MLT certification, you must complete all MLT program courses at FLC, regardless of prior coursework. This is due to licensing and accreditation standards, as MLT programs are approved as a whole. Courses taken outside the program are not considered equivalent since they haven't undergone the same state and national accreditation review.
If your goal is CLS, most pre-CLS students have already taken applicable courses while earning their bachelor's degree and may only need a few additional classes from our offerings. While we've never encountered issues, the final decision rests with the CDPH and each individual CLS program regarding whether they accept courses from another university. Pre-CLS students have the flexibility to take only the courses they need for CLS school/CLS trainee license applications.
No. As long as the student has taken the MLT courses at Folsom Lake College, the course does not have to be repeated. We do however reserve the right assess the readiness of students to enter a clinical rotation if considerable time has passed since the didactic course was taken.
The preCLS certificate is a non-credentialed recognition with no formal academic or professional value. Many students pursuing the preCLS path have already completed some required coursework at other institutions and only need one or two of the specialized, hard-to-find courses we offer.
Due to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulations, we cannot substitute or equate external coursework toward our MLT curriculum—or by extension, the preCLS certificate. As a result, only students who complete all designated preCLS courses at FLC are eligible for the certificate, limiting its applicability to a very small group.
Ultimately, the core purpose of the preCLS pathway is to support students on their journey toward CLS licensure by providing access to those essential, hard-to-find courses. The preCLS certificate does not enhance or influence admission into CLS or MLT programs; and should not be pursued as a primary goal.
No. However, it is strongly recommended that students are aware of their Hepatitis B immunity since blood and body fluids are processed. We also encourage students to know their Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella immunity, as well as be current on their TDAP. All of the above are also required for any education that occurs in a hospital setting. However, the department will not be checking pre-CLS trainee students’ immune status.
In contrast, since MLT students are ultimately entering a clinical practicum at a hospital site, the department will take steps to ensure students meet all background, drug, and immune checks prior to entering a clinical site. More information on this is given at the MLT orientation.
Both MLT and pre-CLS trainee students will receive Blood Borne Pathogen training, and practice universal precautions.
The Chemistry department at Folsom Lake College offers CHEM 410: Quantitative Analysis. This course should meet the new requirements set by CDPH for CLS licensure. It is a 5-unit course with both lecture and in-person laboratory components. It is typically offered in the Fall semester (subject to change). Search for course offerings.
No, FLC does not have a standalone phlebotomy program. MLTs must be trained in the practice of phlebotomy per state and national licensing requirements; hence the presence of phlebotomy courses in the FLC catalog. However these courses cannot be used toward state phlebotomy CPT-1 certification per the State of California.
At the present time, our phlebotomy courses are only for students admitted into the Medical Laboratory Technician program.
CLS's or Clinical Laboratory Scientists are laboratory workers capable of completing high-complexity testing in the laboratory. CLS's require a Bachelor’s of Science degree and a one year internship at a participating CLS program. MLTs on the other hand, cannot do high-complexity testing and are directly supervised by a CLS in the laboratory. MLTs require an Associates of Science degree but not a Bachelor’s of Science degree. For more information on the differences between CLSs and MLTs, please visit California Association for Medical Laboratory Technology and California Department of Public Health.
As of January 1, 2025, new CDPH regulations permit the creation of a bridge program from MLT to CLS. However, it remains to be seen whether any institutions will step forward to establish such programs. A key challenge lies in securing clinical affiliates—resources that are already in short supply for existing CLS and MLT programs.
Yes, currently MLTs must complete 12 CE units annually to maintain their license.
Please see How will my Application to the MLT Program be evaluated?
Typically, we admit 10 to 15 students. However, the number varies cohort to cohort, and is entirely limited by clinical site availability for student rotations.
Please see Apply to the MLT Program.
Unfortunately, the program requires a minimum letter grade of “C” or better in all prerequisite courses, in addition to a prerequisite GPA of 2.5 and an overall GPA of 2.0. Students who have received a “C–” will need to retake the course, typically at another institution, as most colleges do not allow retakes for grades higher than a “D”.
All transcript-related questions are answered by Counseling Services.
International students have the same application process as non-international students. However, foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES approved independent agency. As with all applicants outside of the Los Rios Community College District, individuals seeking prerequisite equivalency must provide course descriptions for the semester in which the course was taken. For more information please call Counseling Services to schedule an appointment:
Main Folsom campus: (916) 608-6510
El Dorado Center: (530) 642-5645
Rancho Cordova Center: (916) 361-6321
Yes, financial aid is available to students in the MLT Program. Please visit the Financial Aid Department for more information.
Yes, scholarships may be available for students in the MLT Program. Please visit our Scholarships Page often as the website updates frequently.
No, unfortunately not all background checks are the same. To ensure uniformity we require a new background check through our current background check vendor.
To be officially admitted into the program you MUST pass a background check from our vendor. Our clinical sites will not train anyone with a criminal history, nor will they consider anyone with a failed background check for employment.
Students accepted into the MLT program will be required to successfully pass background, drug, and immune screens through an approved vendor. A valid social security number is required per background check requirements and in order to obtain MLT licensure in the State of California (pursuant to the authority found in section 1224 of the Business and Professions Code and in section 100275 of the Health and Safety Code, and as required by section 17520 of the Family Code), providing the social security number of the applicant is mandatory for MLT licensure.
Students are required to demonstrate immunity (serological testing or proof of adequate vaccination, or current immunization) to the following:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Varicella Zoster
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
- Hepatitis B (Can be declined with a signed waiver)
- Influenza
Students must also demonstrate the absence of Tuberculosis with a Two-Step process PPD, or chest x-ray (if individual has a document PPD response).
FLC Health and Wellness Services can provide information about obtaining these services at a low cost. All documentation of immunizations MUST go through the MLT program's current vendor. Information and instructions will be made available to students upon acceptance into the MLT program.
Yes, please visit our Application Requirements page.
No, however the prerequisites courses must be met before you are able to apply to the MLT Program.
Please see the current MLT Program Handbook.
If you are already a certified Phlebotomist by the State of California you will not need to retake the Phlebotomy portion of the program provided you maintain your certificate. Exemption from the Medical Language course must be pre-approved by the MLT Program Director on a case-by-case basis, but typically requires graduation/licensure from another program in the Allied Health field.
The MLT Program consists of two semesters of didactic course work followed by one semester of clinical rotations at one of our affiliate sites. We make every effort to ensure students are able to enter their clinical rotations within a few weeks of completing their didactic coursework. However, applicants should be aware that unforeseen circumstances can result in a delay of the clinical rotation portion of the program. Should this occur, we will make every effort to ensure this delay does not exceed six months.
Yes and no. While in the didactic portion of the program, you may work or take other courses to fulfill any degree requirements provided there are no scheduling conflicts. However, be advised the MLT courses are very demanding of your time and should be your top priority. It is highly unlikely you will be able to take courses or work during the clinical rotation periods as you must be on-site at a clinical affiliate for 40 hours per week for the entire semester.
The didactic portion of the program is offered in a hybrid format, with lectures delivered online and in-person laboratory sessions held one day per week. To reduce commute time, the department has consolidated lab sessions on Fridays, allowing students to complete all in-person lab requirements from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm in a single day.
Please refer to the current class schedule for up-to-date, dynamic schedule information. Students should plan to dedicate an additional 10 to 15 hours per week outside of class for studying, assignments, and projects.
For MLT students only: After completing the didactic courses, MLT students begin the practicum portion of the program. This full-time clinical internship requires a commitment of 40 hours per week at an off-site clinical affiliate. Practicum schedules typically run Monday through Friday for 8.5-hour shifts between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm, though variations may occur based on the clinical site.
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate all applicants. As such, we typically are required to hold a lottery among qualified applicants at the end of the application period to place students into the MLT Program. The lottery is conducted by a third party.
Re-applicants are given extra entries into the random lottery corresponding to the number of years they had previously applied. In other words, an applicant who has applied two times will receive two additional entries, an applicant who applied three times will receive three additional entries, and so forth. This system does not guarantee entry, but gives previous applicants a slightly better chance of acceptance during the next lottery.
Qualified applicants have:
- Completed a Pre-Application meeting with Counseling Services.
- Completed prerequisite coursework with a letter grade of “C” or better.
- A prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or above.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
Folsom Lake College does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, or sex.
Unfortunately, due to a limited number of clinical sites, the MLT Program cannot guarantee placement based on student preference or proximity. Students should be prepared to travel for their clinical rotations if necessary. Clinical site assignments are based on several factors, including location and overall fit. When all other considerations are equal, a random lottery is used to determine placement.
Upon completing the MLT program, graduates must pass the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) national licensing examination. After passing the exam, they can then apply to the State of California for their MLT license. Since each state has its own licensing requirements, graduates who wish to relocate must ensure they meet the specific requirements of that state.
While the MLT program, along with its prerequisite courses and general education requirements for the A.S. Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, typically aligns with state licensing standards, it is the student’s responsibility to confirm they meet all individual state requirements.
Current California regulations regarding MLT licensure can be found in Title 17, Section 1030.6 of the California Code of Regulations. Students are encouraged to review this section to understand the most up-to-date licensing requirements as set by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).