The department may issue limited clinical laboratory scientist’s licenses in chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, histocompatibility, immunohematology, genetic molecular biology, cytogenetics, or other areas of laboratory specialty or subspecialty when determined to be necessary by the department in order for licensure categories to keep abreast of changes in laboratory or scientific technology. Whenever the department determines that a new limited clinical laboratory scientist license category is necessary, it shall adopt regulations identifying the category and the areas of specialization included within the category.

To qualify for admission to the examination for a special clinical laboratory scientist’s license, an applicant shall have all the following:

(a) Have graduated from a college or university maintaining standards equivalent, as determined by the department, to those institutions accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or an essentially equivalent accrediting agency with a baccalaureate or higher degree with a major appropriate to the field for which a license is being sought.

(b) Have one year of full-time postgraduate training or experience in the various areas of analysis in the field for which a license is being sought in a laboratory that has a license issued under this chapter or which the department determines is equivalent thereto.

(c) Whenever a limited clinical laboratory scientist’s license is established for a specific area of specialization, the department may issue the license without examination to applicants who had met standards of education and training, defined by regulations, prior to the date of the adoption of implementing regulations.

(d) The department shall adopt regulations to implement this section.

(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 510, Sec. 26. Effective January 1, 1996.)