Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants must hold a valid CLS Trainee License issued by California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services (LFS) at the time of application. No exceptions will be made to this requirement.

A pending trainee license application is not considered an approved trainee license and does not satisfy the program's admission requirements. Applicants who have submitted a trainee license application but have not yet received an approved license by the application deadline will not be considered for admission.

Because trainee license processing can take several weeks or longer, applicants should plan accordingly. To be eligible for a CLS Trainee License, all prerequisite coursework and a qualifying bachelor's degree must be completed and posted to official transcripts before submitting a trainee license application.

No. Applicants must hold a valid CLS Trainee License issued by the California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services (CDPH-LFS), at the time of application. A pending trainee license application does not satisfy this requirement.

However, applicants who already hold a valid CLS Trainee License may apply while retaking prerequisite coursework to satisfy the program's recency requirements or to improve a previously earned grade. Any coursework in progress must be disclosed in the application and completed prior to the Selection Committee’s final review.

Applicants whose terminal GPA falls below the minimum 2.8 requirement are not automatically ineligible for admission. However, they must demonstrate successful GPA remediation by completing the program's GPA Calculator and providing all required supporting documentation with their application.

Carefully review the GPA Remediation section of the Admission Requirement page before applying.

Admission to the SJSU Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program is highly competitive. Each application cycle, the program receives approximately 200 applications. Approximately 25 - 30 students are admitted and matched to clinical training sites in each cohort.

Competitive applicants typically demonstrate the following:

• Strong overall academic performance, including a competitive overall GPA, science and mathematics GPA, and GPA in the most recent 60 semester units of coursework.
• Grades of B or higher in Quantitative Analysis (or Analytical Chemistry), Hematology, Immunology, and Medical Microbiology.
• A well-written personal statement that thoughtfully addresses all application prompts and follows all instructions.
• Strong letters of recommendation that provide meaningful insight into the applicant's academic, laboratory, and professional abilities.
• Meaningful laboratory experience gained through coursework and/or employment. In-person laboratory courses are preferred when available.
• At least six months of paid laboratory work experience. Experience may be obtained in clinical, academic, research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, environmental, public health, veterinary, forensic, industrial, or other laboratory settings. Experience in a CLIA-regulated environment is an especially valuable predictor of success in the training program.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and the ability to carefully read and follow application instructions.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission to the program.

No. The SJSU CLS Program and its training affiliates do not sponsor visas

The CLS Training Program at San José State University is designed to meet the licensing requirements for Clinical Laboratory Scientists seeking long-term employment within the State of California. Clinical training affiliates generally do not provide visa sponsorship for trainees, and applicants should not expect sponsorship as part of the training program. Individuals seeking licensure or employment opportunities outside California should carefully evaluate whether the program aligns with their professional and immigration goals.

Applicants must independently possess and maintain the appropriate immigration status and employment authorization required to participate in the program and any associated clinical training experiences.

Applicants seeking biotechnology careers may also wish to consider the San José State University Master of Biotechnology program, which accepts international students and provides advanced training in biotechnology. Additional information is available here: Master of Biotechnology

No. Individual advising appointments are not available. Applicants should review the Admissions Requirements, Application Instructions, and FAQ pages before contacting the program with specific questions. 

No. The CLS Program does not provide pre-application reviews of transcripts, coursework, resumes, personal statements, trainee license eligibility, or overall competitiveness. Applicants are responsible for reviewing the information available on the program website and determining whether they meet admission requirements and are prepared to submit a competitive application.

Regarding specific coursework questions, the requirements listed in the Admission Requirements section of this website reflect the State of California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services requirements for a CLS Trainee License. While the license is required to participate in our program, they are the governing body that approves coursework. We suggest you contact them directly regarding their acceptance of specific coursework at LFSscientist@cdph.ca.gov

No. The CLS Program does not release application scores, rankings, interview rankings, waitlist positions, Selection Committee deliberations, or other internal admissions information.

Because admissions decisions are based on a comprehensive review of the applicant pool during a specific application cycle, numerical rankings and scores are not meaningful outside the context of that year's applicant cohort.

Applicants who are not selected are welcome to reapply in future application cycles. Reapplicants are encouraged to focus on strengthening their application and demonstrating meaningful improvements since their previous submission.

No. Applicants may hold a bachelor's degree in any field, provided they complete all prerequisite coursework and meet trainee license requirements.

Applicants may apply for a CLS Trainee License here. Information about the license and its requirements are also provided. 

Note: Specialist licenses are listed at the top. You will be applying for the generalist CLS Trainee License and will begin that process at the bottom of that webpage.

Hematology, Immunology, and Medical Microbiology must be completed within 5 years of the application deadline and with a grade of B or better. (+/- grades are considered, a B- does not meet the requirement)

• Any regionally accredited college or university is acceptable.
  
  • Examples include SJSU, SFSU, Folsom Lake College, CSU Sacramento, CSU East Bay, UC Berkeley Extension, etc.
  • These are examples only—not an exclusive list.
• Online coursework is acceptable, although courses with laboratory components are generally more competitive.

Extension coursework may be used to fulfill prerequisite requirements. However, Extension or Continuing Education coursework cannot be used to remediate a GPA below the minimum 2.8 requirement. 

No. Laboratory coursework is not required for admission. However, applicants who complete laboratory coursework are generally more competitive. Laboratory courses provide opportunities to develop technical skills, demonstrate proficiency in laboratory methods, and gain experience that is directly relevant to clinical laboratory training. Because laboratory experience is an important component of a successful application, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete laboratory coursework whenever possible.

Applicants whose terminal GPA falls below the minimum 2.8 requirement are not automatically ineligible for admission. However, they must demonstrate successful GPA remediation by completing the program's GPA Calculator and providing all required supporting documentation with their application.

Carefully review the GPA Remediation section of the Admission Requirement page before applying.

Yes. Students with International degrees may apply to the program if they meet all program admission requirements, including eligibility for a California CLS Trainee License and the legal right to work in the United States throughout the training year.

Applicants who completed coursework or earned degrees outside the United States must obtain a course-by-course transcript evaluation from an approved credential evaluation agency. Additional information is available on the Admission Requirements page.

International applicants are responsible for determining their own eligibility for admission, licensure, and employment authorization.

No. The CLS Program cannot determine whether individual courses satisfy California CLS Trainee License requirements. Course approval is determined by CDPH Laboratory Field Services. Applicants should contact LFS directly regarding individual coursework. at LFSscientist@cdph.ca.gov

The requirements listed in the Admission Requirements section of this website reflect the State of California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services requirements for a CLS Trainee License. While the license is required to participate in our program, they are the governing body that approves coursework. 

Applicants must hold a valid CLS Trainee License issued by California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services (LFS) at the time of application. No exceptions will be made to this requirement.

A pending trainee license application is not considered an approved trainee license and does not satisfy the program's admission requirements. Applicants who have submitted a trainee license application but have not yet received an approved license by the application deadline will not be considered for admission.

Because trainee license processing can take several weeks or longer, applicants should plan accordingly. To be eligible for a CLS Trainee License, all prerequisite coursework and a qualifying bachelor's degree must be completed and posted to official transcripts before submitting a trainee license application.

Yes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application well before the deadline. Early submission provides additional time to resolve issues related to transcripts, letters of recommendation, trainee license verification, or other required documentation. 

Early submission also allows the Selection Committee to begin reviewing applications sooner. Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials as soon as their application is complete rather than waiting until the deadline approaches. 

No. Only three letters are accepted. See Application Instructions for complete recommendation letter policies.

"Overwrite" means to replace the existing information in a field with updated information. Applicants should not add a second entry, create a duplicate row, or leave the original text in place.

No. Once your application has been submitted, no further changes will be accepted. The only exception is updating your trainee license expiration date, should it need to be renewed during the evaluation period.

1. Only selected candidates will be invited to tour and interview with representatives of our participating clinical sites. 
2. Candidates will be ranked and matched per our matching protocol outlined in the Scoring and Matching Process Document.
3. Candidates who are matched with clinical sites will be given an invitation code to apply to Cal State Apply for admission to SJSU. Do not apply to Cal State Apply without this invitation code.
4. When requested, candidates will be asked to provide official transcripts in support of their application to Cal State Apply. Do not send these transcripts to admissions and records until you are requested to do so.

Admission to the SJSU Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program is highly competitive. Each application cycle, the program receives approximately 200 applications. Approximately 25 - 30 students are admitted and matched to clinical training sites in each cohort.

Competitive applicants typically demonstrate the following:

• Strong overall academic performance, including a competitive overall GPA, science and mathematics GPA, and GPA in the most recent 60 semester units of coursework.
• Grades of B or higher in Quantitative Analysis (or Analytical Chemistry), Hematology, Immunology, and Medical Microbiology.
• Meaningful laboratory experience gained through coursework and/or employment. In-person laboratory courses are preferred when available.
• At least six months of paid laboratory work experience. Experience may be obtained in clinical, academic, research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, environmental, public health, veterinary, forensic, industrial, or other laboratory settings. Experience in a CLIA-regulated laboratory is particularly valuable because it closely resembles the environment in which CLS trainees will work.
• A well-written personal statement that thoughtfully addresses all application prompts and follows all instructions.
• Strong letters of recommendation that provide meaningful insight into the applicant's academic, laboratory, and professional abilities.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and the ability to carefully read and follow application instructions.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission to the program.

Possibly. Admission to the CLS Program is highly competitive, and there is no single factor that determines whether an applicant will be invited to interview or admitted.

Applicants who meet all admission requirements are welcome to apply. However, because admission is highly competitive, applicants should be aware that laboratory experience is one of several factors considered during the application review process.

Applicants with meaningful laboratory experience, strong academic performance, compelling personal statements, and strong letters of recommendation are generally more competitive. The program does not provide individualized assessments of competitiveness or likelihood of admission.

No, due to the volume of applications received each cycle, the CLS Program is unable to provide individualized feedback, application critiques, ranking information, or admissions counseling to applicants or reapplicants.

Applicants who are considering reapplying should carefully review the Admission Requirements, Competitive Applicants, Application Instructions, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pages and honestly assess their application relative to the information provided.

When evaluating a previous application, applicants may wish to consider the following questions:

• Did I meet only the minimum admission requirements, or did I exceed them?
• Was my academic performance competitive, particularly in prerequisite and core science coursework?
• Did I demonstrate meaningful laboratory experience through coursework, employment, research, or internships?
• Did my personal statement clearly and effectively address all required prompts?
• Were my letters of recommendation strong, current, and provided by appropriate recommenders?
• Did I carefully follow all application instructions and submit all required materials correctly and on time?
• Have I made meaningful improvements to my application since my previous submission?

Applicants should also understand that admission is highly competitive. In some application cycles, many qualified applicants are not invited to interview simply because the number of competitive applicants exceeds the number of available interview and training positions.

No. The CLS Program does not release application scores, rankings, interview rankings, waitlist positions, Selection Committee deliberations, or other internal admissions information.

Because admissions decisions are based on a comprehensive review of the applicant pool during a specific application cycle, numerical rankings and scores are not meaningful outside the context of that year's applicant cohort.

Applicants who are not selected are welcome to reapply in future application cycles. Reapplicants are encouraged to focus on strengthening their application and demonstrating meaningful improvements since their previous submission.

No. There is no limit to the number of times an applicant may apply to the program.

However, reapplicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate meaningful improvements to their application before reapplying. Examples of improvements may include additional laboratory work experience, completion of relevant coursework, GPA improvement, stronger letters of recommendation, enhanced leadership or professional experiences, or a more compelling personal statement.

Applicants who reapply with substantially the same academic record, work experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statement should not expect a significantly different outcome. Because admission is competitive and each application cycle is evaluated independently, previous applicants are reviewed alongside the current applicant pool.

Reapplicants who were previously invited to interview are not guaranteed a subsequent interview invitation. Likewise, applicants who were not previously invited to interview may become competitive if they have strengthened their application since their last submission.

Reapplicants should use their personal statement to highlight any significant updates, accomplishments, and improvements made since their previous application.

No. Each application cycle is evaluated independently. Reapplying does not improve an applicant's chances unless the application itself has been meaningfully strengthened.

No. The SJSU CLS Program and its training affiliates do not sponsor visas

The CLS Training Program at San José State University is designed to meet the licensing requirements for Clinical Laboratory Scientists seeking long-term employment within the State of California. Clinical training affiliates generally do not provide visa sponsorship for trainees, and applicants should not expect sponsorship as part of the training program. Individuals seeking licensure or employment opportunities outside California should carefully evaluate whether the program aligns with their professional and immigration goals.

Applicants must independently possess and maintain the appropriate immigration status and employment authorization required to participate in the program and any associated clinical training experiences.

Applicants seeking biotechnology careers may also wish to consider the San José State University Master of Biotechnology program, which accepts international students and provides advanced training in biotechnology. Additional information is available here: Master of Biotechnology

Yes. Students with International degrees may apply to the program if they meet all program admission requirements, including eligibility for a California CLS Trainee License and the legal right to work in the United States throughout the training year.

Applicants who completed coursework or earned degrees outside the United States must obtain a course-by-course transcript evaluation from an approved credential evaluation agency. Additional information is available on the Admission Requirements page.

International applicants are responsible for determining their own eligibility for admission, licensure, and employment authorization.

No. However, applicants must independently possess and maintain the legal authorization required to complete the clinical training program and to work in the United States throughout the training year. The program does not sponsor visas.

Clinical Laboratory Scientists perform and interpret complex laboratory testing that physicians rely on to diagnose, monitor, and treat disease. In other states and countries, the general job duties of a CLS most closely resemble the job duties of a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or a Medical Technologist (MT).

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) and Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) professions are both licensed laboratory careers in California, but they differ in scope of practice and training focus.

CLS professionals receive broad training across all major areas of the clinical laboratory, whereas CGMBS professionals receive specialized training focused on molecular diagnostics and genetics.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) professionals are trained to perform testing across multiple areas of the clinical laboratory, including:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Hematology
• Immunology
• Medical Microbiology
• Transfusion Medicine (Blood Bank)
• Molecular Diagnostics

CLS licensure provides the broadest scope of practice within the clinical laboratory and allows individuals to work in a wide variety of laboratory settings.

Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) professionals specialize in molecular and genetic testing, including:

• Molecular diagnostics
• Genomic testing
• Genetic analysis
• Precision medicine applications

CGMBS licensure is more specialized and is focused on molecular biology and genetics-based laboratory testing.

Applicants interested in a broad clinical laboratory career with flexibility across multiple laboratory disciplines may find the CLS pathway more aligned with their goals. Applicants whose primary interests are molecular diagnostics, genetics, genomics, and biotechnology may find the CGMBS pathway a better fit.

Prospective applicants should review the admission requirements, curriculum, and career outcomes for both programs before deciding which pathway best aligns with their professional interests.

No. Applicants may have only one active application at a time.

Yes. Clinical Laboratory Scientists remain in high demand throughout California, and graduates have excellent employment opportunities in hospitals, reference laboratories, public health laboratories, biotechnology companies, and other healthcare settings. Typical starting pay for a new CLS is approximately 50 dollars an hour. 

The cost of the program is spread out over three semesters, with students taking 15 units each semester for a total of 45 units. Current tuition information is available on the Gainful Employment page. Tuition is subject to change. Federal student loans may be available, subject to maximum eligibility for the school year. Other private loans may also be available. 

Additional expenses may include required health clearances, transportation to the assigned clinical affiliate, textbooks, and other program-related costs. 

Students should budget approximately $500 for required and recommended textbooks.

Many of our clinical affiliates provide some form of financial support to trainees during the clinical training year. Support may include monthly stipends, hourly wages, housing assistance, or other employment-related benefits. However, compensation varies by affiliate, and some training sites may not offer financial support.

Any stipend, salary, or other compensation arrangement is established directly between the clinical affiliate and the student trainee. Applicants should discuss and confirm the availability, amount, and terms of any stipend or benefits with the clinical affiliate during the interview process.

The CLS Training Program is a 52-week, full-time commitment that combines online coursework with clinical laboratory training. Because of the program's workload, outside employment is strongly discouraged.

Historically, students who worked while enrolled have been more likely to struggle academically and may have difficulty maintaining the minimum GPA required to remain in the program.

Some clinical training affiliates also prohibit or restrict outside employment during the training year. Students assigned to these affiliates must comply with all affiliate policies.

Applicants should carefully consider the program's time commitment and have an appropriate financial plan in place before beginning the program.

No. The CLS Program does not provide pre-application reviews of transcripts, coursework, resumes, personal statements, trainee license eligibility, or overall competitiveness. Applicants are responsible for reviewing the information available on the program website and determining whether they meet admission requirements and are prepared to submit a competitive application.

No. The program does not provide individualized advising or pre-review applications.  Applicants should review the Admissions Requirements, Application Instructions, and FAQ pages before contacting the program with specific questions.