Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologist (IEMLT) Credential Assessment and Education Bursary Program
On July 19, 2022, the Province of British Columbia announced $4.5M in bursary funding to support high priority internationally educated allied health professionals (IEAHPs) that want to work in BC’s healthcare system. This program is administered by Health Match BC (HMBC) and is designed to retain allied health professionals in the public sector. HMBC acts in an advisory capacity to support IEAHPs throughout their journey to practice in British Columbia (BC), Canada.
A bursary of up to $6,153 CAD, plus applicable taxes, is available to assist internationally educated medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs) with the costs associated with becoming registered to work in BC. HMBC, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health (MoH), supports eligible IEMLTs who want to work in BC by offering financial support to help cover costs associated with the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) Flexible Pathways. These costs may include account creation, Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), English Language Proficiency (ELP) testing, Education Plan–required bridging courses, and travel subsidies.
This bursary was first introduced on January 15, 2024, for applicants pursuing MLT certification through the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). As of November 1, 2025, the bursary was revised to align with new provincial requirements to support MLTs seeking registration through CAMLPR. The revised bursary became available on February 2, 2026.
IEMLT Bursary Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this bursary, IEMLTs will need to meet all of the following criteria:
- Provide a copy of their English-translated Passport as a supporting identification document. This document must contain a photo, full legal name, date of birth, and signature.
- Provide proof of a college or university diploma or degree from a medical laboratory technologist program from a country other than Canada.
- Have completed a CAMLPR PLA through the International MLT Education category and be eligible to write a Fields-of-Practice (FoP) exam(s) or hold eligible CSMLS application history recognized by CAMLPR’s CSMLS-to-CAMLPR Transition Guide.
- After being deemed eligible by CAMLPR, declare and sign a Return of Service (ROS) Agreement indicating their intention to complete the full credentialing and entry-to-practice process. This includes:
- Satisfying any Education Plan requirements by completing required courses within 12 months of the PLA Assessment Report date; and
- Working with a Qualifying Employer in BC’s public healthcare sector for one year (if employed at more than 0.5 FTE) or two years (if employed at 0.5 FTE or less).
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Please note a SIN is not required to register for the bursary. If you are not currently residing in Canada and are eligible for the bursaries, you will be reimbursed once you obtain your SIN, a Canadian address and phone number, and Canadian bank account information for direct deposit as it is necessary for any reimbursements.
- The applicant must not:
- Have completed the CAMLPR FoP exam(s) and be currently employed as an MLT in BC’s public health sector or with publicly funded private laboratory providers (e.g., LifeLabs or Dynacare Valley Medical Laboratories).
- Currently hold or have previously held MLT certification/registration in Canada (via CSMLS or any provincial regulator).
- Be deemed non-traditionally educated (e.g., individuals who have not completed a recognized MLT credential and would be assessed under CAMLPR’s Non-Traditional Education category).
- Be an IEMLT whose CSMLS PLA Technical Report requires completion of a full Canadian EQual™ accredited MLT program to be exam-eligible and who chooses not to complete that program (e.g., seeks to begin a new PLA with CAMLPR instead).
- Be an IEMLT who is not a general MLT, including but not limited to: diagnostic cytology technologists, clinical genetics technologists, or medical laboratory assistants.
Note: To ensure fair distribution of resources, if an applicant possesses qualifications in more than one profession that is eligible under the Internationally Educated Nurse Bursary Program and/or Internationally Educated Allied Health Bursary Program, the applicant must proceed with an application for only one profession (i.e., eligible for one funding stream only). Please contact your recruitment consultant for additional information, as multiple applications may result in funding being denied or returned to the Province.
Return of Service
IEMLTs must commit to a Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the BC Ministry of Health to receive financial support through this program. The ROS agreement states that you intend to complete the full credentialing and registration process and will work in BC with a public sector employer for a specified length of time.
The ROS is an agreement to work in the public health system for one year, if the participant’s employment is over a 0.5 FTE; or two years, if the participant’s employment is 0.5 FTE or less.
A publicly funded health sector employer includes a regional health board designated under section 4(1) of the Health Authorities Act, Provincial Health Services Authority, First Nations Health Authority or Providence Health Care; or (b) a publicly funded private laboratory provider that is approved by the Province in writing. For reference, LifeLabs and Dynacare Valley Medical Laboratories are the approved publicly funded private laboratory providers as of September 1, 2023. Qualifying employers EXCLUDE contract agencies supplying temporary and/or short-term staffing solutions to eligible facilities.
Note: Once eligibility has been confirmed, HMBC will send a ROS agreement to the applicant which must be signed and returned.
Financial Support (Bursaries)
Bursary amounts that may be available to the Participant, as applicable, relating to the IEMLT credentialing and registration process. All amounts are contingent on a signed ROS before obtaining Registration.
Registration Process Steps Eligible for Bursary Program
Bursary Amount
Requirements for Reimbursement
CAMLPR Account Creation
$175 CAD
Upon proof of payment and account confirmation provided to Health Match BC.
CAMLPR Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
$900 CAD
Upon proof of payment provided to Health Match BC. Where the PLA is already completed, include PLA outcome (Education Plan or FoP Exam eligibility).
Credential Evaluation (WES)
Up to $278 CAD plus applicable taxes
Upon proof of payment and evaluation completion provided to Health Match BC.
English Language Proficiency (ELP) testing if required for the credentialing or registration process.
Up to $800 CAD
After proof of payment for CAMLPR PLA. The ELP test bursary is available for up to two (2) attempts of a CAMLPR accepted test, whether an applicant is successful or not.
Funding is up to $400 CAD per test and is based on official receipts and completion of testing from a recognized English Language Proficiency Test.
CAMLPR-recognized MLT Bridging Course(s)
Up to $3,000 CAD
Upon proof of payment and program completion provided to HMBC. Reimbursable only when required by CAMLPR Education Plan and completed within 12 months of the PLA Assessment Report date, and upon commencement of the ROS term with a Qualifying Employer. The applicant must submit the Province’s Return of Service Commencement Form.
Travel bursary for in-person IEMLT bridging courses.
Up to a $1,000 CAD travel subsidy to assist with travel costs for out-of-town applicants.
Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and course completion provided to HMBC, proof of address, and upon commencement of the ROS with a Qualifying Employer. The applicant must submit the Province’s Return of Service Commencement Form.
Maximum Eligible Bursary Amount (with education bursary amount and travel subsidy):
$6,153 CAD plus applicable taxes
Note: Travel subsidies are calculated using estimated ferry costs and fuel consumption based on distance traveled from an applicant’s primary residence in BC.
Documents Required
To be eligible for the Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologist (IEMLT) Bursary through HMBC, applicants must:
- Register for an account with HMBC and complete the IEMLT Bursary Application provided to you by your HMBC recruitment team.
Please note: If you already have an HMBC account and are interested in applying to the bursary program, please contact us via your HMBC account.
- Provide a copy of your Passport as a supporting identification document. We do not need all pages of your passport, only the pages with your full legal name, date of birth, and signature. For example, if your photo, full legal name, and date of birth are on one page and your signature is on another, we will need both.
- Provide a copy of your English-translated college or university diploma or degree from a medical laboratory technologist program from a country other than Canada.
- Provide a copy of your CAMLPR PLA Outcome Letter indicating that you have been assessed as an IEMLT and either require an Education Plan, or that you are eligible to write the CAMLPR Fields-of-Practice Exam(s).
- Provide copies of any, or all, of the following receipts and their supporting documents:
Note: Reimbursement for all eligible costs requires receipts showing a payment date on, or after July 19, 2022.
- CAMLPR Flexible Pathways account:
- A copy of your account creation, and
- A copy of your payment receipt.
- CAMLPR Prior Learning Assessment (PLA):
- A copy of your CAMLPR PLA payment receipt.
- Credential evaluation from World Education Services-Canada (WES):
- A copy of your payment receipt.
- English Language Proficiency (ELP) Testing receipts for up to two (2) tests:
Note: HMBC will only accept language proficiency tests accepted by CAMLPR for the purpose of the assessment process.
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP – General)
- International English Language Testing System – Academic (IELTS AC)
- International English Language Testing System – General Training (IELTS GT)
- IELTS One Skill Retake
- Michener English Language Assessment (MELA)
- Pearson Test of English Core (PTE Core)
- CAMLPR-recognized MLT Bridging Course(s):
Note: CAMLPR-recognized MLT Bridging Courses will be reimbursed after submitting all required documentation and upon commencement of the ROS term with a Qualifying Employer.
- A copy of your payment receipt.
- A copy of your Education Plan.
- Proof of course completion within 12 months of the PLA Assessment Report date.
- CAMLPR Flexible Pathways account:
Note: Payment can be expected within 4-6 weeks of submitting all required documentation.
