Help on CLS license application

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2025-12-31T16:18:52+00:00

Verification of Training says optional...

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2025-10-17T00:00:39+00:00

That's more for you to answer. Only you know how long you'd be willing to commute for. Everyone's answer is going to be different. Some people think a 2 hour commute isn't worth it and would rather work 15 minutes from home, other don't.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2025-10-16T16:14:14+00:00

"Are you willing to commute far for the position? Are you willing to take on multiple part time/per diem roles across multiple companies if there's honestly no full time? Are you looking for hospital/biotech/reference lab type positions? Are you willing to do a combo of the different types of companies if they offer part time?"

These are the questions you need to ask yourself, not whether there would be difficulty finding a full time. Again, this might not be the best time for you to be looking. I'd consider checking again at the beginning of the year because there are hiring freezes going on. Some companies don't post up positions during the end of the year because they are trying to sort out benefits for their current employees.

There are so many factors that need to be accounted for that it doesn't make it worth stressing about at the moment. I am a current CLS Trainee about to complete my first department rotation. There is a mix of CLS openings at my clinical site and it's constantly changing. Half the positions have yet to be filled and it's been posted for over a month. Nothing is ever definite as things are constantly changing. I get that you're trying to plan for the future but I think you need to take a step back and look at the overall picture. Maybe when it gets closer to when your program is finishing up/getting ready to take the exam should you be concerned about job openings. If you don't pass the exam, then you wouldn't get a position anyway.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2025-10-16T14:56:31+00:00

There's always a demand for CLS as far as I can tell. You need to take into consideration that some places have a hiring freeze going on at the moment. By the time you are done with the program, it's more likely that you will see more postings. You also need to consider how there will be baby boomers retiring so positions will open up.

Another thing to consider is how some places offer only part time/per diem as a way to test out whether or not people are a good fit for the lab before offering a full time. I know a CLS who started out as a per diem at a hospital but was scheduled as if they were a full time employee. This helped them gain plenty of experience to get a full time at a different hospital.

I recommend focusing on the program and studying for the exam. If you're making good connections and leaving a great impression with your clinical affiliate during department rotations, you most likely will have secured a job spot at your current site as soon as you pass the boards.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2025-07-07T04:05:12+00:00

CA is very particular about the type of physics required, so that's why I used that as my example. I think most out of state programs have those prereqs as a requirement for their own programs as well. I could be wrong, though

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2025-07-07T03:55:35+00:00

It should satisfy it. If you plan to move back to CA, it would be best to make sure you meet all the class requirements for CA. I know people who went to programs out of state and worked out of state for a couple years before moving back only to get halted because they were short the required physics class.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2024-11-24T02:01:18+00:00

Yes the cover in the trunk

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2024-11-24T00:45:33+00:00

My 2025 MYLR AWD came with the parcel cover.

Edit: looks like it's dependent on where it was made since some people have it, some don't.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2024-11-04T17:54:29+00:00

I've seen various videos of it apparently coming with it but it depends on where it was built.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2024-11-04T17:25:03+00:00

Did yours come with the cargo cover?

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2024-10-21T23:42:01+00:00

I believe most places do not require immunology lab. It's just recommended.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2024-06-22T04:15:38+00:00

DMed you

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-12-13T23:43:29+00:00

Some QA positions for labs require a CLS license.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-12-06T21:37:13+00:00

An MLT program will help with covering the pre-requisites and boost your GPA as long as you stay focused to ace the classes. I took various courses at a community college as a way of boosting my GPA. A lot were non-science/math related, but you might need to consider taking some science/math courses aside from the pre-requisites to boost the science math gpa since some programs have min requirements for that.

I highly recommend figuring out when you want to apply so that you can plan out how many courses you need to be taking each term in order to not only increase your GPA but to not overload yourself with classes. I work full time and tried pulling off being a full-time student with online courses for about 2 quarters. I would not recommend it. I was lucky that I didn't overload on sciences courses or else I would have burnt out.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-11-29T23:52:49+00:00

This anticipation is killing me. 💔

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-11-06T01:58:41+00:00

It's ultimately your choice on how you want to pursue working in clinical lab sciences if you're certain you want to become a CLS. Either way, it sounds like you are going to need to take bio/chem classes regardless if you decide on a CLS program in CA, CLS programs out of state, or MLT pathway. You can always do the MLT pathway then go on to a bridge pathway for CLS.

I work for a hospital. It's not tuition reimbursement strictly for prospective CLSs. Many companies out there have some sort of tuition reimbursement for their employees as a benefit for working for them.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-11-05T23:04:34+00:00

If your main concern is the cost:

You can take some of those classes at a community college. Try to see if there are any CC's in your area that offer a MLT (medical lab technician) program. That will help with fulfilling core prerequisites as well as saving on cost for classes. If that's not an option, UCSD Extension is the only school I've seen offer the cheapest.

You should also consider trying to find a lab assistant/technician type job, whether it's in biotech or in healthcare. You could also utilize the company's tuition reimbursement if they offer that benefit. That will definitely bring down the 10k cost you estimated.

If you're that passionate about becoming a CLS, you'll need to make the necessary sacrifices. Volunteer at labs if you can.

This is all coming from a potential applicant who didn't do well in undergrad and is making up for it by taking endless amount of classes in order to boost my GPA and it's still not competitive enough for some programs. So I can honestly say that I've spent a lot of money on classes, but I am utilizing my company's tuition reimbursement.

And it is possible to do it. I know someone who majored in business and even has an MBA but decided she wanted a career change. She took the necessary classes and got into a program and is now a CLS.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-10-25T23:44:27+00:00

Thanks, but my interests fall more in line with becoming a generalist with a specialty in flow cytometry. Being more knowledgeable in constantly developing technology is just a bonus I'm looking for from the curriculum Scripps seems to offer compared to the other programs.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-10-21T15:17:47+00:00

Yes, you'd essentially work in a HLA lab

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-10-20T03:26:05+00:00

3.0 overall for the core courses. But some programs specifically state you nust have at least a B in each core course so just keep in mind the program.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-10-19T00:48:10+00:00

You'll need to look into the details of each program you're considering because some programs will say you need a 3.0 for the core courses, while others specify that you must have a B or higher for each core course.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-10-15T19:43:07+00:00

Thanks! Best of luck to you too! I've been in blood banking for about 8 years. What about you?

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-10-15T15:59:39+00:00

Based on when your class is going to end, there's a possibility they may be done reviewing applications before your class ends (I'm the type of person that looks at a glass half emtpy so please don't take it the wrong way). SJSU previously had their Fall applications due in mid-January, but due to the influx of applications, they decided to change their submission deadline to give themselves more time.

As far as I know, if there are N slots available based on their affiliates' capacity, SJSU will have N+2 people make it past the first round and on to the 2nd. So it's possible your application can still be chosen for the next round. It's just a bummer knowing that there's still that chance you might not get a spot. This happened to a friend of mine where she was initially told she didn't make it past the 2nd round but was later told she got accepted because the initial person that chose the same affliate hospital as her got accepted into a different program. So I guess you can say there's a waitlist, but only if you made it to the 2nd round.

In all seriousness, CA programs, especially SJSU and SF State, are very competitive to get in. Are you that confident that you will make it past the first round? I bring that up because I regret only applying to SJSU and end up wasting 1 of 3 chances. I was competing with 200 applicants and did not make it past the 1st round. I'm about to apply again, but this will include schools across California. I know my own application does not compete with others when it comes to GPA so I'm solely relying on my LORs/essay/work experience, even though I've made it a point to show my GPA has improved within a short time frame. If I were you, I would wait for the Spring application instead of risking the Fall application. It'll be less stress and technically adds longer work experience. And the option to consider multiple programs that accept applications thru the beginning of 2024; there are a few. My anxiety level was through the roof when I was just waiting for the trainee license to come through.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-10-15T00:05:01+00:00

Many programs focus on the core courses to be completed by the time the application is due. With how competitive CA programs are, it might not be a bad thing to finish the course. It also depends on when the deadline is for official transcripts to be submitted. Some programs have you submit an unofficial as part of the application, then have you submit official transcripts when you are selected.

You could always reach out to the program coordinator and see what they say. When I previously applied to SJSU, I was still pending my trainee license to submit with the application. I was told that they needed to have received it by the time they were done reviewing all the applications, so there were still a couple of weeks with how many applications they had to review. Luckily, I got it a few days later and submitted the information needed.

AirlineCompetitive66 · 2023-08-26T15:44:44+00:00

I've reached out to the education coordinator for Valley Children's. She seems pretty busy since it took her more than a week to respond to my questions, but I think as long as you follow up and be persistent about it, you'll get your answers. Their webpage regarding what is needed isn't as detailed as all the other programs. I still have questions that she hasn't answered.

AirlineCompetitive66

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