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CLS National Certification, Licensure, and Placement
 National Certification Many organizations/institutions require national certification as a condition of employment. There are multiple routes for an individual to obtain national certification, but the most popular route includes successful completion of the pertinent examination, along with a bachelor's degree and completion of a CLS program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), such as the University of Minnesota's nationally accredited CLS program. NAACLS accreditation assures that the CLS program has met specific national Standards that have been developed through a process that requires the input and review of peer groups, sponsoring and participating organizations, affiliating organizations and other interested professional groups. Obtaining the Bachelor of Science degree in CLS is not contingent on passing any type of national certification or licensure examination. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) provides the Board of Certification exam which when successfully completed grants the graduate national certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP). Certification by ASCP denotes official recognition of the graduate’s qualifications to work as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in a variety of work environments. Students are encouraged to visit the NCA and ASCP web sites. Licensure Licensed clinical laboratory scientists practice in accordance with the requirements of individual state laws. In some states, continuing education courses are required for license renewal. At the present time, Minnesota does not require a license to practice. Placement Graduates of the University of Minnesota's CLS Program are assisted in finding employment by the CLS program advisor. Notices of employment opportunities in the field are received from all parts of the United States and are posted in the CLS office. There is currently a critical national shortage of CLS professionals, and placement is essentially 100%.
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