NBSMLT Legislative Updates
NBSMLT Rules
As part of our legislative review, our Rules required updating once our Bylaw amendments were officially approved in March 2026. The requirements and guidelines for temporary licence application have been clarified and amended to reflect alignment with the field of practice examinations.
The Rules were amended in collaboration with our legal consultants and approved by the NBSMLT Board of Directors on September 9, 2026.
The Rules are available for review on our website. NBSMLT Rules Sept 2026
Medical Laboratory Technology Act Amendments
The NBSMLT is reviewing proposed draft amendments to the 1991 Act, and is anticipating finalizing a draft for member review in the fall of 2026.
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As previously published, the NBSMLT AGM was held on Wednesday, October 1. The motion to approve the proposed bylaw amendments was carried. The Ministry of Health provided approval on March 9th.
Our Bylaws are available for review on our website here: https://nbsmlt.nb.ca/en/public-protection/policies-and-legislation
Notable amendments included the removal of Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) membership as a condition of initial and ongoing registration with the NBSMLT.
What does this mean for registrants?
New Registrants
New registrants will no longer be required to be a member of the CSMLS. They will however be required to obtain and provide proof of professional liability insurance (PLI), complete the initial application and license application form and pay annual dues to the NBSMLT.
Existing practicing members
Your CSMLS membership including PLI is valid until December 31, 2026.
When registration renewal for 2027 opens in fall of 2026, you will be required to complete your online renewal form, pay your NBSMLT 2027 dues of $315, ensure your PDP is valid, and provide proof of professional liability insurance (PLI) coverage from your chosen service provider to
For a general MLT, you are required to hold a minimum PLI of $2 Million. For members working outside their competency profile (for example, a General-license MLT working in genetics and performing tasks outside their competency profile) $5 Million PLI coverage is suggested, and additional documentation will need to be provided at the time of renewal.
For your PLI, you will need to pay your insurance fees to that provider. You may wish to only secure PLI through insurance providers like Harvard Western, or become a member of an association such as CSMLS and/or MLPAO for their vast membership benefits. The choice is yours.
PLI is now available through multiple providers such as:
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS)
The CSMLS is the national professional association for Med lab professionals and offers independent PLI coverage as an option with membership. They also offer a range of additional membership benefits, including:
- Continuing education, research, member discounts on learning & events (like LABCON), and a subscription to the Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science
- Professional networking opportunities and access to a national med lab Job Bank
- Discounts from corporate partners like GoodLife Fitness, TD Insurance, Perkopolis etc.
The annual membership fee for a practicing MLT in 2027 is $179.00 plus PLI of $15/$2 million coverage or $30/$5 million coverage. The membership fee is pro-rated based on the month you join.
To learn more about CSMLS Membership and PLI coverage, please visit here: CSMLS Membership
Harvard Western Insurance
Harvard Western Insurance is an insurance company that provides PLI coverage to MLTs across the country. They are an insurance company only. There is no membership and no benefits. They are strictly insurance coverage provider. Their policy defends professionals by providing for:
- Malpractice insurance for events such as misconduct or errors causing patient harm,
- Legal defense, which covers you against challenges brought by your provincial regulator.
• Individual coverage, not group coverage
To learn more about Harvard Western PLI coverage, please visit here: Malpractice Medical Lab Professionals | Harvard Western Insurance
Costs for PLI is $50.00 for $2 Million coverage and $60.00 for $5 Million coverage.
Medical Laboratory Professionals Association of Ontario (MLPAO)
MLPAO is the Ontario provincial advocacy body for Med lab professionals and offers PLI coverage as part of membership to the Association. Membership is not limited to Ontario. They also offer a variety of additional membership benefits, including:
- Continuing education, research, learning opportunities and the ADVOCATE publication
- Professional networking opportunities and job board
- Professional discounts from corporate partners, awards, and member engagement contests
The membership cost for a registered practicing MLT for 2026 including PLI coverage is $139.99 for $2M per claim coverage with $5M aggregate for the policy period.
To learn more about MLPAO Membership and PLI coverage, please visit here: MLPAO Membership
