PRACTICE ACT
The Clinical Laboratory Science Practice Act will require that individuals performing clinical laboratory tests on blood and other body fluids meet minimum education and/or experience requirements, demonstrate initial competence through written examination, demonstrate continued competence through continuing education programs or courses and be regulated by the Department of Professional Regulation.
Senate Bill
House Bill
Declaration of Policy
and Statement of Purpose as written in the
Clinical Laboratory Science Practice Act:
“The purpose of this part is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state from the hazards of improper performance by clinical laboratory personnel. Clinical laboratories provide essential services to practitioners of the healing arts by furnishing vital information that is essential to a determination of the nature, cause and extent of the condition involved. Unreliable and inaccurate reports may cause unnecessary anxiety, suffering, and financial burdens and may even contribute directly to death. The protection of public and individual health requires the licensure of clinical laboratory personnel who meet minimum requirements for safe practice. The Legislature finds that laboratory testing technology continues to advance rapidly. Therefore, continuing education for clinical laboratory personnel is imperative.”
Frequently Asked
Questions about the Clinical Laboratory Science Practice Act:
Why is licensure being pursued?
Licensure
will improve the quality of laboratory testing by ensuring that only
appropriately educated and qualified laboratory personnel perform critical
testing. Licensure will also raise the
professional status and recognition level of the laboratory professions by putting
them on the same playing field as other major health professions, of whom are
already licensed in
What exactly will passage of the Act mean?
If we are successful in passing the Act, then clinical
laboratory scientists/medical technologists, categorical scientists/technologists, and clinical
laboratory technicians/medical laboratory technicians must meet the specified
criteria to be licensed to perform moderate and high complexity testing in
Will currently certified/registered clinical laboratory science practitioners need to take a state administered examination?
No. The Act establishes a Clinical Laboratory
Science Board that will recommend certification examinations administered by
national clinical laboratory science organizations. The recommended examinations must then be
approved by the Missouri Department of ?????
How will the Act affect individuals who are currently performing laboratory tests, but are not certified by any recognized organization?
The Act
contains a grandfather clause which provides a mechanism for individuals
currently practicing without certification to be licensed if they submit
documentation of experience. Individuals
not meeting the education, training and experience qualifications who have at
least three years of documented experience will not be excluded.
Will individuals
performing waived tests or point of care testing require a license under this
Act?
Any person
solely performing waived tests under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Amendment (CLIA) will not require a license.
Also, personnel performing point of care testing in an acute care
facility that complies with specified requirements of the Act will not need to
be licensed.
Can this legislation affect personnel who work in laboratories, but do not perform laboratory testing?
No. Individuals such as phlebotomists and clerks,
who do not perform, interpret or report laboratory tests will not be
licensed under this Act.
Will the state require a
fee for licensure?
Yes. Every type of professional licensure within
the state requires that the individual pay a fee as determined by the Missouri
Department of ????and that the license be renewed.
How will a laboratory practitioner who held licensure in
These
individuals will apply for restoration through the Department of Professional
Regulation.
Do other states have
practice acts for clinical laboratory professionals?
Currently,
there are 11 states with laboratory personnel licensure (
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The following organizations support licensure for
clinical laboratory practitioners in American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science American Society for Clinical Pathology Clinical Laboratory Management Association |
Licensed Health Related Professions in
Athletic Training Cosmetology Massage Therapists
Contact Lens Nail Technician Nursing
Occupational Therapy Optometry Orthotics, Prosthetics
Perfusion Dietician /Nutrition Physical Therapy
Podiatry Physician Assistant Respiratory Care
Pharmacy Dentistry Medical Physicians
Esthetics Naprapathy Veterinary Medicine
Speech Pathology & Audiology Funeral Director/Embalming
Nursing Home Administration Home Medical Equipment Service Provider
Ø Over 70% of Medical Diagnoses rely on Clinical Laboratory Test Results
Ø 11.9 M Dollars will be allocated by the Federal Government to Fund the Title VII allied health training programs due to personnel shortages in many of the healthcare fields, one of which is Clinical Laboratory Science.