Licensing guide · Nova Scotia

How to Become a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Nova Scotia

Last checked October 10, 20265 sources checkedNOC 32120

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences to work as a medical laboratory technologist in Nova Scotia or to use a protected title.

Protected titles: Not listed in the sources checked

Show the source

“This means that you must hold a license to be able to practice medical laboratory technology in Nova Scotia.”

From nscmlt.org/guide-to-working-in-nova-scotia, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status: Licence required See the source
Routes: Trained in Canada: 3 steps, listed one-time fees $410

Licensed in another province: 1 step

Trained outside Canada: 3 steps
Annual fees: Additional renewal fee (Nov. 1 - 15 2026): $100
Source
“| Nov. 1 - 15 2026 | $100.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Additional renewal fee (Nov. 15 - 30 2026): $250
Source
“| Nov. 15 - 30 2026 | $250.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Practicing MLT/CLXT: $410
Source
“| Practicing MLT/CLXTPractising MLANon-Practicing \*\*(No longer offered for 2027) | Active or Provisional Active or Provisional <br>Provisional | | 410.00 400.00 205.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

Listed one-time fees: $410
2 steps without a listed fee
Annual fees: $760
Listed time: 0.5 months (only 1 of 3 steps state a time)

Complete accredited program
You must enrol in and successfully complete a Canadian accredited educational program in medical laboratory technology.

Source
“The requirements to apply for a NSRMLS license in Nova Scotia include enrolment and successful completion of a Canadian accredited educational program in one of the program categories below.”
nscmlt.org/licensing
Challenge national exam
After completing the educational program, you must successfully challenge the required national exam.

Source
“Once an educational program is completed, a graduate must successfully challenge the required national exam.”
nscmlt.org/licensing
Apply online for license
You apply online for the NSRMLS license to practice and allow two weeks for processing once all documents and payment are received.
- Pro-rated initial application fee (January): $410
  Source
  “| January | $410.00 | $400.00 | July | $205.00 | $200.00 |”
  nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Time: 2 weeks
Time source
“For licensing please allow 2 weeks for processing once all documents and payment are received.”
nscmlt.org/licensing/apply-for-a-license

Source
“All applications are online and you will receive a confirmation email when your application is complete or requires further attention. For licensing please allow 2 weeks for processing once all documents and payment are received.”
nscmlt.org/licensing/apply-for-a-license

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $410

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee type	Amount	Share
Application	$410	100%
One-time total	$410	100%

2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $760 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Additional renewal fee (Nov. 1 - 15 2026): $100
Source
“| Nov. 1 - 15 2026 | $100.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Additional renewal fee (Nov. 15 - 30 2026): $250
Source
“| Nov. 15 - 30 2026 | $250.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Practicing MLT/CLXT: $410
Source
“| Practicing MLT/CLXTPractising MLANon-Practicing \*\*(No longer offered for 2027) | Active or Provisional Active or Provisional <br>Provisional | | 410.00 400.00 205.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

1 step without a listed fee
Annual fees: $760

Apply online for license
As a new registrant from a regulated province, you apply online for the NSRMLS license to practice.

Source
“All applications are online and you will receive a confirmation email when your application is complete or requires further attention.”
nscmlt.org/licensing/apply-for-a-license

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $760 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Additional renewal fee (Nov. 1 - 15 2026): $100
Source
“| Nov. 1 - 15 2026 | $100.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Additional renewal fee (Nov. 15 - 30 2026): $250
Source
“| Nov. 15 - 30 2026 | $250.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Practicing MLT/CLXT: $410
Source
“| Practicing MLT/CLXTPractising MLANon-Practicing \*\*(No longer offered for 2027) | Active or Provisional Active or Provisional <br>Provisional | | 410.00 400.00 205.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

3 steps without a listed fee
Annual fees: $760

Be eligible for immigration
You must be eligible for immigration to Canada.

Source
“1. You must be eligible for immigration to Canada.”
nscmlt.org/guide-to-working-in-nova-scotia
Complete prior learning assessment
You need to complete a prior learning assessment through the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Sciences and successfully pass the national certification exam.

Source
“2. You need to complete a prior learning assessment (PLA) through the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Sciences (CSMLS) and successfully pass the national certification exam.”
nscmlt.org/guide-to-working-in-nova-scotia
Register with the college
You must register with the Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists to be licensed.

Source
“3. You must register with the Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists (NSCMLT) to be licensed.”
nscmlt.org/guide-to-working-in-nova-scotia

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $760 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Additional renewal fee (Nov. 1 - 15 2026): $100
Source
“| Nov. 1 - 15 2026 | $100.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Additional renewal fee (Nov. 15 - 30 2026): $250
Source
“| Nov. 15 - 30 2026 | $250.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Practicing MLT/CLXT: $410
Source
“| Practicing MLT/CLXTPractising MLANon-Practicing \*\*(No longer offered for 2027) | Active or Provisional Active or Provisional <br>Provisional | | 410.00 400.00 205.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Administration Application fee: $175 (nonrefundable)
Source
“| Administration Application fee (nonrefundable) | $175.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (February): $376
Source
“| February | $376.00 | $367.00 | August | $171.00 | $167.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (March): $342
Source
“| March | $342.00 | $333.00 | September | $137.00 | $133.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (April): $307
Source
“| April | $307.00 | $300.00 | October | $102.00 | $100.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (May): $273
Source
“| May | $273.00 | $267.00 | November | $68.00 | $67.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (June): $239
Source
“| June | $239.00 | $233.00 | December | $35.00 | $33.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (July): $205
Source
“| July | $205.00 | $200.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (August): $171
Source
“| August | $171.00 | $167.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (September): $137
Source
“| September | $137.00 | $133.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (October): $102
Source
“| October | $102.00 | $100.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (November): $68
Source
“| November | $68.00 | $67.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated initial application fee (December): $35
Source
“| December | $35.00 | $33.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
License Reactivation (Re-Licensure) for Active Practising MLT/CLXT: $700
Source
“| 700.00 690.00 320.00 310.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Non Sufficient fund cheque/credit card: $75 (when a cheque or credit card payment is not sufficient)
Source
“| Non Sufficient fund cheque/credit card | $75 plus bank charges |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Letter of Standing Application (Registrant): $75 (for registrants)
Source
“| Registrant | $75.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Letter of Standing Application (Former Registrant): $100 (for former registrants)
Source
“| Former Registrant | $100.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Seal of the College: $62
Source
“| Seal of the College | $62.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated fee MLT/CLXT July: $205
Source
“| January | $410.00 | $400.00 | July | $205.00 | $200.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated fee MLT/CLXT August: $171
Source
“| February | $376.00 | $367.00 | August | $171.00 | $167.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated fee MLT/CLXT September: $137
Source
“| March | $342.00 | $333.00 | September | $137.00 | $133.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated fee MLT/CLXT October: $102
Source
“| April | $307.00 | $300.00 | October | $102.00 | $100.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated fee MLT/CLXT November: $68
Source
“| May | $273.00 | $267.00 | November | $68.00 | $67.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure
Pro-rated fee MLT/CLXT December: $35
Source
“| June | $239.00 | $233.00 | December | $35.00 | $33.00 |”
nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

You must have successfully completed a Canadian accredited educational program in medical laboratory technology, or, if educated internationally as an MLT, successfully complete a prior learning assessment.
Source
“The requirements to apply for a NSRMLS license in Nova Scotia include enrolment and successful completion of a Canadian accredited educational program in one of the program categories below. For those educated internationally as a MLT, a prior learning assessment (PLA) must be successfully completed.”
nscmlt.org/licensing

Police check

You must provide a copy of a criminal records check with a vulnerable sector check.
Source
“- Copy of criminal records check (CRC) with vulnerable sector check (VSC)”
nscmlt.org/licensing/new-registrant

Insurance

You must provide proof of professional liability insurance of $2,000,000.
Source
“- Proof of Professional Liability Insurance of $2,000,000”
nscmlt.org/licensing/new-registrant

Other

You must provide evidence of successful completion of an entry to practice exam.
Source
“- Evidence of successful completion of an entry to practice exam”
nscmlt.org/licensing/new-registrant
You must provide evidence of meeting the NSRMLS English language requirements.
Source
“- Evidence of NSRMLS English language requirements (refer to the English Language Proficiency policy)”
nscmlt.org/licensing/new-registrant
Internationally educated applicants must be eligible for immigration to Canada.
Source
“1. You must be eligible for immigration to Canada.”
nscmlt.org/guide-to-working-in-nova-scotia

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

Once you are eligible to work in one regulated province of Canada, you can transfer to another province.

Source

“Once you are eligible to work in one regulated province of Canada, you can transfer to another province.”

nscmlt.org/guide-to-working-in-nova-scotia

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Exams

MLT national exam

Source
“For the requirements to write a MLT national exam”
nscmlt.org/licensing
national certification exam

Source
“You need to complete a prior learning assessment (PLA) through the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Sciences (CSMLS) and successfully pass the national certification exam.”
nscmlt.org/guide-to-working-in-nova-scotia

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 32120, Medical laboratory technologists. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Nova Scotia and Canada
Where	Low	Median	High	Outlook
Nova Scotia	$30.00	$35.00	$42.56	Good (4 of 5)
Canada	$25.13	$39.00	$49.00	—

Wages by region and job outlook in Nova Scotia

Wages in every province and territory

Medical laboratory technologists in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 7 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

British Columbia Not confirmed yet
Alberta Licence required
Saskatchewan Licence required
Manitoba Licence required
Ontario Licence required
Quebec Licence required
New Brunswick Licence required
Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
Yukon Not confirmed yet
Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare medical laboratory technologist licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

Step-by-Step Guide to Working in Nova Scotia nscmlt.org/guide-to-working-in-nova-scotia · fetched October 10, 2026
Apply For A License - Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists nscmlt.org/licensing/apply-for-a-license · fetched October 10, 2026
Licensing - Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists nscmlt.org/licensing · fetched October 10, 2026
Fees - Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists nscmlt.org/licensing/fee-structure · fetched October 10, 2026
New Registrant - Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists nscmlt.org/licensing/new-registrant · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a licence to work as a medical laboratory technologist in Nova Scotia?

Yes. Registration with Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences is required to practise in Nova Scotia.

Which exams are required?

MLT national exam, national certification exam.

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