Clinical Laboratory Scientist Program

The mission of the Scripps Health Clinical Laboratory Scientist Training program is to provide a program that uses proven educational methodologies to teach best practices in clinical laboratory medicine in both theory and practice, to continuously strive for improvement in outcomes, and to graduate competent, highly skilled professionals who are passionate about quality patient care and outcomes. 

Program goals were developed in alignment with our program’s mission, vision and objectives. The goals of the training program are to provide an educational experience for the clinical laboratory science trainees so that graduates will:

• Demonstrate entry-level technical competence and sound, independent judgment and problem-solving abilities in clinical laboratory professions.
• Successfully pass licensing and certification examinations and successfully compete for entry-level employment positions as a contributing member of the healthcare community.
• Demonstrate high standards of professional behaviors and ethics, and a passion for continuous learning.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will transition to a contributing member of the healthcare team, providing quality, timely and cost-effective laboratory results and consult to healthcare providers. The graduate will continue to grow in knowledge and skills, become involved in process improvements, and support the profession through mentorship and publicity.

Class of 2026-2027

Intent to apply deadline: before January 1, 2026

Application deadline: before January 8, 2026

Offer to interview: first or second week of March 2026

Interview dates for select candidates: mid-March 2026

Completion of pre-requisite degree and coursework: By June 30, 2026

• TRL Generalist license must be obtained before mid-August 2026

Program dates: August 2026 - August 2027

See our program's admission requirements (PDF, 780 KB).

The knowledge and skills of a clinical laboratory scientist are in high demand and valued not only by hospital clinical laboratories, but also by other employers in research, forensics, physician office laboratories, veterinary laboratories, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and in other health care industries, such as those in marketing, sales, service, product development, equipment and supplies. 

There continues to be a critical need for medical professionals with MLS certification and/or CLS licensure, as laboratories strive to keep up with the demand of new and more complex tests and to replace retirees.

Clinical laboratory scientist jobs are stable and satisfying. In San Diego, salaries for new graduates typically exceed $100,000 per year.

Successful completion of our 12-month CLS certificate program leads to conferring of a certificate of completion and qualifies you to sit for an approved certifying organization examination, such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) MLS generalist examination.

For a comprehensive list of other approved examinations, see the California Department of Public Health website.

Completion of the Scripps Health CLS Training Program and receipt of a passing score on the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) MLS generalist exam, or other California qualifying certification exam, meets CLS licensing requirements in California as well as confers a national MLS certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Refer to the ASCP BOC State Licensure information page.

A California CLS license (CLS generalist license) allows you to work and report results in all specialty areas of a clinical laboratory. A CLS limited license allows you to work and report results in a specialty or subspecialty section of a clinical laboratory defined by the license.

Refer to the CDPH-LFS website for specifics on generalist and limited licenses, scope of practice, academic requirements, training or experience, and examinations.

CLS licensure is required in California. Other states may require only medical laboratory scientist (MLS) certification, which may be referred to as medical technologist certification or MLS certification. Programs that offer training for certification are known as medical laboratory scientist (MLS) or clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) training programs.

A CLS Trainee License (TRL) allows you to train or intern (not work) as a licensed clinical laboratory scientist trainee in a CDPH-LFS department approved CLS training program. The TRL is required by all CLS training (internship) programs in California. 

Refer to the CDPH-LFS website on how to obtain a TRL.

Clinical laboratory scientists find challenging employment positions in a variety of laboratory settings. As vital members of the health care team, they enjoy assisting practitioners during the care, diagnosis and treatment of patients. Lab scientists can work in all areas of laboratories or specialize in one of several sections of a clinical lab, such as chemistry, transfusion medicine, hematology, immunology or microbiology.

Clinical laboratory scientists can be employed in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, research facilities, industry (such as biotech), public health institutions, forensic or pharmaceutical laboratories, and veterinary or zoological animal clinics.

Of the many science careers you may have considered, being a CLS offers broad and unique opportunities. The role is becoming more visible and respected among all medical careers. And for health care jobs in San Diego, Scripps Health is a local leader.

Essential functions are non-academic skills for which you must be competent in order to successfully participate in the CLS training program. These are often required for many medical technology careers, and include:

• Visual skills — Differentiating colors and stained vs unstained materials. Distinguishing solution clarity. Reading charts, graphs, rulers and scales. Reading print on paper and computer screens. Locating veins for venipunctures.
• Manipulative skills
• Mobility — Sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting and reaching. Lifting and carrying objects up to 20 lbs. 
• Fine Motor— Operating microscopes and pipettes, using lab instruments such as wire loops and centrifuges, manipulating tubes and containers into racks and trays.
• Cognitive skills — Communicating with others using direct conversation, telephone and email. Prioritizing high-level tasks. Recognizing and responding to emergency situations. Following directions and maintaining personal behavioral control.
• Affective skills — Practicing respect, honesty and accountability. Complying with professional standards. Accepting change.

Read Assess the Strength of Your Candidacy (PDF, 130 KB) to learn about past candidates who were granted an interview for our program.