MLA/T Certification Exam
ONLINE EXAM
The MLPAO MLA/T Certification Exam is an ONLINE exam.
Registration for the March 21, 2025 exam date is OPEN.
A copy of your MLA/T diploma or graduation letter from your school is required at time of registration or no later than the registration deadline. Please email a copy of your diploma to: exam@mlpao.org.
Registration deadlines and fees are listed below. Deadlines for Testing Centre registrations are two weeks prior to Standard Registration deadlines.
Registered candidates will receive exam information by email after registration closes.
If you wish to withdraw or transfer exam dates, or require special accommodations, please scroll down for more information.
Exam Dates
2025 Exam Dates and Registration Fees
Exam Schedule | Exam Date | Early Registration Dates | Standard Registration Dates | Special Consideration Registration | Withdraw/Transfer Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winter Exam |
Friday March 21, 2025 | Nov 11 to Dec 31, 2024 | Jan 1 to Jan 30, 2025 | Nov 11, 2024 to Jan 17, 2025 | Feb 14, 2025 |
Spring Exam | Thursday June 12, 2025 | Feb 24 to Mar 31, 2025 | Apr 1 to 24, 2025 | Feb 24 to Apr 11, 2025 | May 16, 2025 |
Summer | Friday September 12, 2025 | May 26 to Jun 30, 2025 | Jul 1 to 24, 2025 | May 26 to Jul 11, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
Fall | Friday November 14, 2025 | Aug 11 to Sep 22, 2025 | Sep 23 to 29, 2025 | Aug 11 to Sep 20, 2025 | October 17, 2025 |
2026 Exam Dates and Registration Fees
Exam Schedule | Exam Date | Early Registration | Standard Registration | Special Consideration Registration | Withdraw/Transfer Deadline |
|---|
Eligibility
Online Exam Registration
Please review our Exam General Information & Policies and the Online Exam Technical Requirements carefully before applying to our MLA/T Online Exam. Exam registration is completely online, and no application form is required. If you wish to pay by cheque or money order, please email us at exam@mlpao.org. Please review the exam registration categories and fees carefully before registering to ensure that you select and pay correctly. A copy of your MLA/T diploma or graduation letter from your school is required at time of registration, or no later than registration deadline. This is an exam eligibility requirement. Email to exam@mlpao.org.
Registration Fees
Category | Description | Early - Home | Early - Testing Centre | Standard - Home | Standard - Testing Centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPAO Member - Student | Must be currently enrolled in an MLPAO approved school with a graduation date prior to the scheduled examination date AND an MLPAO Student Member. | $210 | $250 | $310 | $350 |
Non-Member - Student | Must be currently enrolled in an MLPAO approved school with a graduation date prior to the scheduled examination date and are NOT an MLPAO Member. | $375 | $415 | $475 | $515 |
Graduate | Graduated from an MLPAO approved school within the last five (5) years. | $375 | $415 | $475 | $515 |
Re-Write | For eligible exam candidates who were unsuccessful on their previous attempt, eligible candidates must Re-Write within 1 year of their last exam attempt. | $175 | $215 | $275 | $315 |
Special Consideration | If you do not meet any of the other criteria, and have education with experience in the Medical Laboratory field, you may apply as a Special Consideration. | $575 | $615 | $575 | $615 |
Out-of-Province Special Consideration | If you graduated from a formal MLA/T program in Canada (outside of Ontario), you may apply as an Out of Province - Special Consideration. | $475 | $515 | $475 | $515 |
Registration fees include an application and an exam fee.
Application fees are non-refundable; all prices are subject to HST.
We reserve the right to change fees and exam dates without notice.
All fees are in Canadian dollars.
A copy of your MLA/T diploma or graduation letter from your school is required at time of registration, or no later than January 30, 2025. This is an exam eligibility requirement. Email to exam@mlpao.org.
If you have a completion date prior to the exam (including clinical placement) but will not have your graduation document by January 30, 2025, we will accept a letter from your school confirming your completion date. Email letter to exam@mlpao.org.
Competency Guidelines
The Competency Guidelines contain everything the exam will cover. This includes an exam blueprint which outlines the percentage of questions tested in each category.
2024 Revised MLPAO MLA/T Competency Guidelines
Special
Consideration
Candidates who have graduated from a formal MLA/T program in Canada (outside of Ontario) or with qualifications from outside of Canada, and are interested in writing the MLPAO certification exam must apply through the Special Consideration process. The PLA process will determine a candidate’s eligibility to write the MLPAO Certification exam.
Practice Exam
This tool provides students the opportunity to see what sample multiple choice questions could look like from each competency category. It is meant to be used as a supporting mechanism that partners with the students other supporting material such as textbooks and study material. As students prepare for the upcoming exam, this practice exam allows them to see what areas they need to keep reviewing. This is a great way to get a feel for what the exam could look like and allows students to work on timing and how they approach each question. The Practice Exam and Certification Exam use the same platform, this means that the online testing environments are similar. Good luck on the practice exam! PRICE: $45.00 (50 questions)
Request for Special Accommodation
Special Accommodations, Disabilities or Religious Considerations Candidates with special accommodation requirements for the exam day must email exam@mlpao.org no later than the registration deadline and provide verification/assessment from an authorized institution/person if applicable. Eligible Special Accommodations are only available for Online at Home option.
Request to Withdraw
Those wishing to withdraw from the exam must email exam@mlpao.org no later than the withdraw deadline in order to receive a refund of the exam fee only. The application fee is non-refundable. A $50.00 + HST administrative fee will apply. Refunds will be issued after the exam date.
Request to Transfer
For exam candidates who applied for the current exam but wish to transfer to the next available exam date. There is a maximum number of two consecutive transfers permitted. Transfer fees are non refundable. Applicants may pay to transfer a maximum of two consecutive exams before they must reapply in full. Transfer fees are non-refundable.