Medical Technology and pre-Clinical Laboratory Science Department

Welcome to the Medical Laboratory Technician and pre-Clinical Laboratory Science department. This website contains detailed information related to the MLT program, such as costs, application requirements, how to apply, etc. Applicants are also asked to consult the current version of the MLT Program Handbook (PDF). The Folsom Lake College MLT program is accredited by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Laboratory Field Services (LFS), and National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

The department has also created a pre-CLS trainee certificate aimed at guiding individuals who are hoping to become a licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist in California. As part of that process, one must first obtain a CLS trainee license from the State, which also requires some prerequisite coursework. Several of these prerequisite courses are difficult to find and often very expensive. Fortunately, many of the didactic courses currently offered through the college’s MLT program have also been approved by the State to meet said prerequisite requirements for the CLS trainee license.

More information on the pre-CLS training license requirements can be found on the California Department of Public Health Department of Laboratory Field Services (CDPH-LFS). It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to ensure they meet all pre-CLS trainee requirements, and also ensure their prospective CLS programs accept the courses offered.

To be clear, pre-CLS trainee certificate is not a CLS program, does not grant entry into a CLS program, nor does it specifically allow graduates to work in the clinical laboratory upon graduation. Pre-CLS trainee students do not receive a clinical rotation, and do not gain any advantage if also applying to the MLT Program.

The pre-CLS certificate is simply a collection of difficult-to-find prerequisite courses which allow students to move closer to their goal of becoming a CLS. For more information on the pre-CLS trainee certificate, please refer to the department’s FAQ and Overview (Degree’s and Certificates) webpages.    

View the MLT Information Session Presentation