Can I apply under NOC 32120 (Medical Laboratory Technologist) if my degree is in Biology?

[JohnMzVz]

Hi everyone,

I’m not from Canada, but I’m planning to apply for Express Entry and I want to use NOC 32120 (Medical Laboratory Technologist), since that’s the one that best reflects my actual work experience. The only thing is that my degree is in Biology, not in Medical Laboratory Sciences or Technology, and I’m worried that might be a problem.

Will IRCC reject my application because of that? My job duties match NOC 32120 and its lead statement, but my education aligns more with NOC 21110 (Biologists and related scientists).

I know that I’ll need to get certified and licensed in Canada before I can actually work as an MLT, but my plan is to do that after I get permanent residence.

Has anyone here applied under a similar situation? Can you use a NOC of a regulated profession before being certified in Canada?
Hope it makes sense.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Naturgrl]

You can use the NOC if your job responsibilities match the NOC but if you aren't licensed as a medical technologist internationally then probably not get licensed in Canada. Read the requirements because having a degree doesn't just let you get licensed. You want international license to transfer some of your credentials to get Canadian license.

 

[JohnMzVz]

You can use the NOC if your job responsibilities match the NOC but if you aren't licensed as a medical technologist internationally then probably not get licensed in Canada. Read the requirements because having a degree doesn't just let you get licensed. You want international license to transfer some of your credentials to get Canadian license.

Thank you for your response.
Unfortunately, the MLT designation doesn’t exist in my country, although I’ve been doing that type of work for over five years. I understand that I’ll need to complete additional courses and pass an exam to get licensed in Canada, but I plan to do that after (or if) I get permanent residency.
I just want to confirm whether I can use my current work experience to apply, and whether I’ll be required to show a valid license at the application stage, which, of course, I don’t have yet.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thank you for your response.
Unfortunately, the MLT designation doesn’t exist in my country, although I’ve been doing that type of work for over five years. I understand that I’ll need to complete additional courses and pass an exam to get licensed in Canada, but I plan to do that after (or if) I get permanent residency.
I just want to confirm whether I can use my current work experience to apply, and whether I’ll be required to show a valid license at the application stage, which, of course, I don’t have yet.

If your work experience matches the NOC then you can use it. As for MLT, unless you come to Canada and take a medical lab program you will not work as a licensed MLT.

 

[JohnMzVz]

If your work experience matches the NOC then you can use it. As for MLT, unless you come to Canada and take a medical lab program you will not work as a licensed MLT.

Yes, that’s exactly the plan: to take the required program once I’m in Canada as a permanent resident.
Just to confirm, though — will I need to show a license at any point during the application process? Or is my work experience enough for now?

 

[Naturgrl]

Yes, that’s exactly the plan: to take the required program once I’m in Canada as a permanent resident.
Just to confirm, though — will I need to show a license at any point during the application process? Or is my work experience enough for now?

No. What is your CRS score? Want over 500 for a healthcare draw or be fluent in French and English. Do some research on programs too? Some are competitive and assume you have chemistry education too.

 

[JohnMzVz]

No. What is your CRS score? Want over 500 for a healthcare draw or be fluent in French and English. Do some research on programs too? Some are competitive and assume you have chemistry education too.

My CRS score is 482, so I’m not too confident about getting picked in a healthcare draw unless the cut-off drops in the next rounds. That’s why I’m hoping to get in through food French and English scores or by getting a provincial nomination.
I read somewhere that Ontario holds healthcare draws more frequently…
do you think a PNP nomination would be realistic with my score?

 

[Naturgrl]

My CRS score is 482, so I’m not too confident about getting picked in a healthcare draw unless the cut-off drops in the next rounds. That’s why I’m hoping to get in through food French and English scores or by getting a provincial nomination.
I read somewhere that Ontario holds healthcare draws more frequently…
do you think a PNP nomination would be realistic with my score?

What are your CLB French scores. PNP not really an option with 50% cuts and focus on those with job offers. OINP has had only a handful of draws this year and all for those with job offers in specific regions of Ontario. You cannot get a job offer with NOC if you cannot prove that you can get license without going back to school.

 

[JohnMzVz]

What are your CLB French scores. PNP not really an option with 50% cuts and focus on those with job offers. OINP has had only a handful of draws this year and all for those with job offers in specific regions of Ontario. You cannot get a job offer with NOC if you cannot prove that you can get license without going back to school.

So I guess French is my only real shot at this point. Any chance for PNP situation to change in the future? And I’ve got CLB 7 in French, which I understand is the minimum required for that category. Just hoping CRS scores don’t go up too much in the next rounds.

 

[Naturgrl]

So I guess French is my only real shot at this point. Any chance for PNP situation to change in the future? And I’ve got CLB 7 in French, which I understand is the minimum required for that category. Just hoping CRS scores don’t go up too much in the next rounds.

If you have CLB 7 in all sections for French then you will get ITA. Then once in Canada you can figure out your education. Don't count on PNPs.

 

[JohnMzVz]

If you have CLB 7 in all sections for French then you will get ITA. Then once in Canada you can figure out your education. Don't count on PNPs.

Thanks so much for all your answers, I really hope it works out.
Just one last thing I’m wondering about…
Does the fact that I plan to go back to school after getting PR affect my chances in any way? Or is that only something that matters for PNPs? Should I mention it at some point?

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanks so much for all your answers, I really hope it works out.
Just one last thing I’m wondering about…
Does the fact that I plan to go back to school after getting PR affect my chances in any way? Or is that only something that matters for PNPs? Should I mention it at some point?

No issue with education as you need to gain admission to a school based on marks and education.

 

[JohnMzVz]

No issue with education as you need to gain admission to a school based on marks and education.

But what about in the context of the Express Entry application itself?
Is it less likely to get PR if they know your plan is to go back to school once you’re there? I just want to make sure that’s actually a viable plan.

 

[Naturgrl]

But what about in the context of the Express Entry application itself?
Is it less likely to get PR if they know your plan is to go back to school once you’re there? I just want to make sure that’s actually a viable plan.

Once you are PR then pursue post secondary. Has nothing to do with Express Entry.

 

[JohnMzVz]

Once you are PR then pursue post secondary. Has nothing to do with Express Entry.

Ok, we’ll see how it goes.Thanks again for all your help!