| Public health laboratory scientists Public health laboratory scientists are also regulated by the Board.
The table below outlines the various requirements for applicants to receive licensure for a public health laboratory.
Public Health Laboratory RequirementsDirectorFulfill the same requirements as a clinical laboratory directorSupervisorBe certified by National Registry in Clinical Chemistry or American Society for MicrobiologyBe licensed as a technologistHave five year's relevant experiencePass the state examTechnician (microbiology)Have a Bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciencesObtain American Society for Microbiology or the National Registry in Microbiology Certification in Public Health Microbiology
Technician (chemistry)Have a Bachelor's degree in one of the chemical, biological, or physical sciencesObtain National Registry of Clinical Chemistry Certification in Public Health ChemistryTechnician (conditional)Have a Bachelor's degree in one of the chemical or biological sciencesPerform tests only under the direct supervision of a licensed pathologist, director, supervisor, or technologist.Receives a conditional two-year license, which may be renewed only once
A license from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel allows you to work in a public health laboratory at the same level and specialty. | View Page |
| Categories for Specialties When you apply for a license at any level, you must indicate one or more specialties. Each specialty has slightly different requirements, including which exams you can use to qualify for licensure. You can later add more specialties to your license by taking the appropriate exam.
The following is a partial list of specialties available to clinical laboratory personnel:
MicrobiologySerology / ImmunologyChemistry HematologyImmunohematologyRadioassay HistocompatibilityBlood BankingBlood Gas AnalysisCytologyCytogenetics HistologyMolecular PathologyAndrologyEmbryology | View Page |
| Types of licenses Clinical laboratory personnel licenses are divided into four types: director, supervisor, technologist, and technician. Each type has different roles, responsibilities, qualifications, and continuing education requirements. When you apply for a license, you must apply for one of these four types.
All licensed clinical laboratory personnel are permitted to collect, process, store, and ship specimens and perform manual testing procedures. Directors, supervisors, and technologists are permitted to interpret and report test results.
In addition, each license is valid for one or more specialties. Clinical laboratory personnel are only permitted to conduct testing that falls under their specialty. Specialties include microbiology, chemistry, blood banking, immunology / serology, and more. A full list will be presented later in this program. | View Page |
| Description of Specialties (1) Specialists in microbiology perform testing to diagnose and stop the spread of infectious organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Specialists should be able to isolate and identify a wide variety of these organisms. Testing procedures include direction examination and antigen detection methods.
Specialists in serology and immunology measure antibodies to infectious organisms. Specialists should be familiar with all serology techniques (except those specific to immunohematology). This specialty includes all lab procedures performed in the specialty of histocompatibility.
Specialists in hematology must be able to identify and evaluate cells in blood and bone marrow and identify disorders of these cell. Specialists should be familiar with routine and special tests to determine the number, morphology, and function of cells in body fluid. | View Page |
| Description of Specialties (2) Specialists in immunohematology perform all testing prior to blood transfusions and work to prevent transfusion infections. They also investigate any post-transfusion reactions. This specialty includes all lab procedures performed in the specialty of histocompatibility.
Specialists in clinical chemistry analyze body fluids such as blood, urine, and spinal fluid to determine the chemical makeup, including the amount of carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes, and trace elements. The special covers urine microscopics and chemical evaluation of the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and other vital organ systems. This specialty also covers all testing performed in the specialties of radioassay and blood gas analysis.
Specialists in blood banking can perform all immunohematology testing as well as testing from the specialties of clinical chemistry, hematology and serology/immunology that relates to donor blood. Specialists in immunohematology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and serology / immunology may perform all tests in the blood banking specialty. | View Page |
| Description of Specialties (4) Specialists in cytogenetics detect chromosome abnormalities and genetic disorders. Cytogenetics counseling may only be performed by an individual licenses in the cytogenetics specialty at the director level.
Specialists in molecular genetics analyze DNA and RNA to find disease-related genotypes, mutations, and phenotypes in order to detect or predict disease and identify carriers.
Specialists in histocompatibility test to determine tissue compatibility, prevent infections, and investigate and post-transplant problems. Techniques include blood typing, HLA typing, HLA antibody screening, disease markers, flow cytometry, crossmatching, HLA antibody identification, lymphocyte immunophenotyping, immunosuppressive drug assays, allogenic, isogeneic and autologous bone marrow processing and storage, mixed lymphocyte culture, stem cell culture, cell
mediated assays, and assays for the presence of cytokines.
Specialists in andrology and embryology examine gametes and embryos, including production, morphology, number, and motility, to address issues of fertility and infertility. | View Page |
| Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal All licensed clinical laboratory personnel must earn at least 24 hours of continuing education credits every two years. These continuing education hours must be completed by time your license.
Continuing education requirements include:At least one hour for each specialty for which you are licensedA two-hour course on medical errorsA one-hour course on laws and rules of the Florida Board (this course)A one-hour course in administration and supervision (directors and supervisors only)If you have just received your license, you do not need to complete this continuing education requirement during the first two-year period of your license, except for courses that may be required by your specialty. | View Page |
| Technologist Responsibilities Technologists are primarily responsible for performing testing and reporting results. Other duties include:Performing only those tests authorized by the director and for which the technologist is licensed by specialty.Following the laboratory's procedure for specimen handling, running tests, reporting results, and maintaining recordsParticipating in proficiency testing and demonstrating that proficiency samples are tested in the same manner as patient samplesFollowing quality control and instrument calibration policiesDocumenting corrective action taken when results exceed the laboratory's acceptable performance valuesUsing professional judgment to ensure test validity, including recollecting and retesting samples that may be flawed or contaminated | View Page |
| Technician Responsibilities Technicians perform laboratory testing under direct and general supervision, as required by the test and the conditions of the technician's license. Other duties include:Performing tests only as authorized by the director and the technician's licensed specialty.Following the laboratory's procedure for specimen handling and running testsParticipating in proficiency testing and demonstrating that proficiency samples are tested in the same manner as patient samplesFollowing quality control and instrument calibration policiesDocumenting corrective action taken when results exceed the laboratory's acceptable performance valuesIdentifying potential problems with tests or report resultsNotifying a technologist or supervisor if results are outside the laboratory's acceptable performance levels | View Page |
| Competency and Licensing Violations Clinical laboratory personnel must be licensed and competent to perform their duties. This means holding the appropriate type of license for the task being performed (director, supervisor, technologist, or technician) and being certified in the appropriate specialty for any testing being performed. For example, an individual licensed as a technician in hematology may not perform the duties of a technologist in hematology, nor may that individual perform testing in the microbiology specialty.
Showing a lack of competence to perform even licensed duties is a violation of Board rules. Consistent errors can tarnish a laboratory's reputation, and even a single error can harm patient care. Licensed personnel must be certain that they can perform their duties accurately and competently.
All of the following are violations of Board rules:Performing clinical duties for which one does not hold a license.Performing services one knows one is not competent to perform.Showing lack of competence or making consistent errors in testing or reporting.Having a license revoked or suspended in another state. | View Page |
| Specialists in radioassay, blood banking, and histocompatability may perform all tests associated with immunohematology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and serology / immunology. | View Page |