Licensure

New York State Licensure for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (incl. Medical Technology) and Cytotechnology

The State of New York currently licenses 47 professions, ranging from Accounting to Nursing. The clinical laboratory sciences, which include Medical Technologists and Medical Laboratory Technicians, and Cytotechnology, were the latest professions to be licensed. This means that, in order to practice as an MT or CT in the State of New York, you must be licensed, and be currently registered with the Office of the Professions. Registration is renewable every 3 years.

Licensure is governed through the Office of the Professions of the New York State Education Department. The website will be extremely helpful to you for:

• Information regarding limited permits and licensure examinations

• On-line license registration renewal

• On-line license verification

• On-line listings of Professional Disciplinary Actions

How does Licensure differ from the ASCP certification as an MT or CT?

Certification as an MT (ASCP) or CT (ASCP) requires completion of a BS degree, completion of a NAACLS-accredited clinical internship program (MT) or CAAHEP-accredited clinical internship (CT), and successful passage of the ASCP Board or Registry examination in the discipline. (Appropriate clinical work experience of 3+ years may satisfy the internship requirement in some cases). Many employers require job applicants to hold ASCP certification.

Licensure is required by the State of New York to work as a Medical Technologist or Cytotechnologist in NY. You do not have to hold ASCP certification to be licensed. The licensure examination used by NY is, however, the same exam that is used for ASCP certification. Thus, individuals who have passed the ASCP exam since 9/1/2001 can apply to have their ASCP exam score used for licensure purposes.  

In general, the minimum competencies required for NYS licensure are less stringent than those to achieve ASCP certification. Future applicants for NYS licensure in MT and CT must complete a NYS-registered program in MT or CT which may or may not meet ASCP or NAACLS/CAAHEPstandards. I would recommend completion of the ASCP-certified BS program since it will give you far greater opportunities for employment (most employers look for ASCP certification) in and out of New York State, and ASCP certification along with completion of a NYSED-registered MT or CT program makes you eligible for NYS licensure.

What will be required of you to be licensure-eligible?

To be licensure-eligible, you must complete a B.S. degree in your discipline at a program registered with NY state as licensure-qualifying. SUNY Plattsburgh is registered as a licensure-qualifying program. At SUNY Plattsburgh, this involves completion of the requirements for the BS degree in MT or CT, completion of the clinical internship, passing the licensure/ASCP Board exam, and completion of necessary paperwork and payment of fees to NY state. You will also need to be familiar with the laws, rules and regulations governing these professions; for this purpose, you will need to review the regulations listed in the following form and return the signed form to your academic advisor prior to commencing your clinical internship:

• MT/CT form

Useful links

• ASCP Home Page

• ASCP Board of Registry

• NAACLS

• CAAHEP

• Office of the Professions of the New York State Education Department

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