Clinical Laboratory Scientist Certificate

Confirm Eligibility and Readiness

• Before initiating an application, applicants must ensure they are fully eligible and prepared to enter the CLS Training Program. You must meet all of the following requirements before proceeding:

• Hold a valid CLS Trainee License issued by the California Department of Public Health – Laboratory Field Services (LFS). Requirements and application instructions are available on the LFS website.

• Review the CLS Program Technical Standards in full. These standards define the physical, cognitive and professional requirements necessary to successfully complete the program. Applicants will be required to formally acknowledge these standards later in the application process.

• Have a non-.edu email address that allows reliable access to Google Workspace. (.edu email addresses are not permitted, as they often expire during the application cycle.) You must use the same email address throughout the entire process.

Complete the CLS Application Readiness Assessment

• Complete the CLS Application Readiness Assessment and review your score carefully.

• Purpose of the Readiness Assessment: This assessment is designed to help determine whether you are academically, professionally and logistically prepared to begin the CLS application process. It also assists the program in identifying applicants who do not yet meet minimum readiness or eligibility thresholds.

• Applicants who proceed despite clear readiness deficiencies may be removed from the application cycle.

Submit Intent to Apply

• Send an email to cls-group@sjsu.edu with the following:

  • Subject line: INTENT TO APPLY-Spring 2027- Your Last Name, First Name

  • Attach: A PDF copy of your valid CLS Trainee License

  • Reapplicants: Please indicate that you are a reapplicant in your email.

Application Workspace Setup

• After your Intent to Apply is received and verified:

  • SJSU will provide a shared Google Drive folder for document submission.

  • SJSU will also provide a shared Google Sheet where you will enter:

    • Schools attended

    • License information

    • Contact information for recommenders

    • Application information, including education and course work

• Note: All official communication from you relevant to this application occurs through your shared Google Sheet.

Recommendations

• Enter the names of your recommenders on your shared Google Sheet before requesting recommendations. (Three letters min/max required)

• Send each recommender the newly revised Confidential Recommendation Form.

• Recommenders must return the completed form directly to: cls-group@sjsu.edu

• Important:

  • Recommendations will not be considered unless the recommender is listed on your shared application sheet.

  • Failure to follow this process will result in point deductions.

  • Do not request Letters of Recommendation until after you have received an application folder and filled in the recommender's information on your application sheet.

Required Documents

• Upload PDF versions of the following into your shared Google Drive folder:

  • Technical Standards Acknowledgment

    • Completed Technical Standards Acknowledgment Form

  • Personal Statement

    • Follow the instructions on the Personal Statement Form exactly

    • Answer the assigned essay prompts

    • Generic or reused statements will result in point deductions

    • Personal Statements may be reviewed by the Application Review Committee and participating clinical affiliates

  • Transcripts

    • Include every college or university attended

    • Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at this stage (Unofficial transcripts include copies in your possession, either scanned or printed from a student portal.)

    • Official transcripts will be required only if selected for official admission to SJSU following the interview and matching stage

  • Resume

    • Must be clearly formatted and free of errors

    • Must include month and year for all employment dates

    • Must clearly designate volunteer or part-time positions

    • SJSU and clinical affiliates reserve the right to verify all information

  • Licenses and Certificates (if applicable). Examples include:

    • MLT license

    • CPT-1 license

    • MLS certificates

  • International Course Work

    • Applicants with course work completed outside the U.S., U.S. Territories or Canada must provide a course-by-course WES evaluation.

      • Upload the evaluation only at this stage

      • Do not upload foreign transcripts

      • You must meet the admissions requirements of SJSU Graduate Admissions.

Final Application Tasks

• Address all remaining items listed on your shared Google Sheet.

• Pay the $110 application fee following the instructions provided on your shared Google Sheet.

• Upload a PDF copy of your payment receipt to your shared Google Drive folder.

Submit for Committee Review

• When all required materials are uploaded and complete, send an email to cls-group@sjsu.edu. Subject line should be FOLDER COMPLETE (indicate term applying for, i.e., CGMBS Fall 2027)