Medical laboratory assistant certificate
Facts checked 7 September 2026
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Part of the route toMedical Laboratory Assistant·Certificate
A 6 to 8 month college program training you in blood collection (phlebotomy), specimen processing, and medical laboratory safety.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
WorkBC training funding
Up to $7,500 tuitionIf you are out of work or underemployed, a WorkBC case manager can approve and pay for this training. Get approval before you pay.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
BC Access Grant
Up to $4,000 a yearFor low and middle income students in full-time programs under two years at public schools. Assessed when you apply through StudentAid BC.
THE ROUTE
How this program works, step by step
Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.
The route (8 steps)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- Chemistry 11. Requirement varies by school (British Columbia Institute of Technology, College of New Caledonia). Strictest requirement: C.
- Pre-Calculus 11. Requirement varies by school (British Columbia Institute of Technology, College of New Caledonia). Strictest requirement: C.
- Life Sciences 11. Requirement varies by school (Stenberg College, Vancouver Community College, Camosun College, and 1 others). Strictest requirement: C.
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 school year- BC High School Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Requirement varies by school (Stenberg College, Thompson Rivers University). Strictest requirement: C.
- Biology 12. Requirement varies by school (Stenberg College, Vancouver Community College, Camosun College, and 3 others). Strictest requirement: C.
- English 12. Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Camosun College, British Columbia Institute of Technology, and 1 others). Strictest requirement: C.
Step 3 of 8
What you need to get in
- Standard First Aid with CPR-C and clear Criminal Record Check
- Typing test (minimum 30 wpm)
- Criminal Record Check and CPR Level C / BLS
- Medical terminology coursework strongly recommended
- CPR-C and BC Criminal Record Check
Step 4 of 8
How to apply
- Apply online directly to BCIT, College of New Caledonia, or Stenberg College
- Cohorts start in September and January depending on the institution
- Submit academic transcripts and completed applicant questionnaire
- Provide immunization documentation and undergo criminal record clearance
Step 5 of 8
Medical laboratory assistant certificate
⏱ 6–8 months (24–30 weeks)- Phlebotomy: vacuum tube blood collection, capillary micro-collection, and order of draw
- Specimen triage: accessioning, centrifuge separation, and distribution to lab departments
- Clinical microbiology: inoculating culture plates and preparing Gram stains
- Histopathology and cytology: tissue cassette preparation and slide mounting fundamentals
- Full-time hospital clinical practicum in acute hospital diagnostic laboratories
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 6 schools in BC- British Columbia Institute of Technology — 6 months (Tuition not yet verified)
- Camosun College — 10 months (About $15,900 for the whole program)
- College of New Caledonia — 6 months (About $3,600 per level)
- Thompson Rivers University — 6–12 months (Not published on the school page)
- Vancouver Community College — 6 months (About $6,500 for the whole program)
- Stenberg College — 7 months (Tuition not yet verified)
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- BC Society of Laboratory Science (BCSLS) MLA Certification Examination
Step 8 of 8
Leads to: Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Explore Medical Laboratory Assistant wages, job outlook, and career pathways
SCHOOLS
Where you can take this(6 schools)
Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.
We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Checked 7 September 2026; the school does not list a figure. Ask the school.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.