CAMLT Board Affirms Commitment to Califo

CAMLT Board Affirms Commitment to California Licensure and Long-Term Workforce Stability

Marc Bernaldez, Interim-Chair CAMLT Legislative Committee

The California Association for Medical Laboratory Technology (CAMLT) remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for a strong, well-regulated, and sustainable clinical laboratory profession in California. In keeping with this mission, the CAMLT Board of Directors has carefully considered recent requests to sign on to letters calling for the repeal of AB 144 and a rollback of increased licensure fees. After thoughtful deliberation, the Board has voted not to add CAMLT’s name to these letters.

This decision was not made lightly. CAMLT recognizes that licensure fee increases place a real financial burden on laboratory professionals, many of whom are already navigating rising costs of living and workplace pressures. However, the Board ultimately determined that repealing AB 144 or reversing the fee structure could pose significant long-term risks to the profession and to patient care across the state.

Protecting California Licensure and State Oversight

CAMLT’s position is rooted in its continued support for California laboratory professionals maintaining state licensure and oversight. The Clinical Laboratory Field Services (LFS) program plays a critical role in regulating laboratory practice, ensuring competency, and upholding quality standards that exceed federal minimums. If licensure fees are not adequately structured to support this program, LFS may face serious financial instability.

An underfunded LFS raises the possibility that California could revert to reliance on federal CLIA regulations alone. While CLIA establishes essential baseline requirements, it does not reflect the higher standards that have long defined California’s laboratory workforce. State licensure has been instrumental in promoting rigorous education, competency, and accountability—factors that directly benefit patients, employers, and laboratory professionals alike.

Workforce Consequences of Losing State Licensure

The potential loss of California-specific licensure would have far-reaching consequences. Historically, strong state standards have supported higher wages, clearer career pathways, and professional recognition for laboratory staff. Without these protections, CAMLT is concerned that wages could stagnate or decline as employers default to minimum federal requirements.

Equally concerning is the impact on workforce quality. California’s current framework helps ensure consistent training and competency standards across the state. Eliminating this system could lead to greater variability in training, reduced professional mobility, and an overall erosion of confidence in the laboratory workforce. These outcomes would not only affect professionals but also the healthcare systems and patients who depend on accurate and timely laboratory results.

A Call for Transparency and Collaborative Solutions

While CAMLT did not support efforts to repeal AB 144, the Board strongly agrees that stakeholders deserve greater accountability and transparency from regulatory agencies. Members have repeatedly voiced concerns about how licensure fees are allocated and how LFS resources are prioritized.

To that end, CAMLT believes the most productive path forward is to advocate for:

Reinstitution of the Clinical Laboratory Technology Advisory Committee (CLTAC) as a meaningful forum for stakeholder input, professional expertise, and collaborative problem-solving.

Clear and transparent reporting of LFS operating budgets, allowing licensees and professional organizations to understand how fees are used and to ensure funds are directed toward core regulatory functions.

Ongoing dialogue between regulators and the laboratory community to identify efficiencies, address cost concerns, and explore long-term solutions that do not compromise professional standards.

Centering the Long-Term Interests of the Profession

CAMLT’s decision reflects a long-view approach to advocacy—one that prioritizes professional integrity, workforce stability, and patient safety over short-term relief measures that may carry unintended consequences. Supporting California licensure means supporting a system that has historically elevated the profession and protected both practitioners and the public.

The Board remains committed to listening to its members, engaging constructively with state agencies, and advocating for solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with strong regulatory oversight. CAMLT encourages continued engagement from laboratory professionals as these discussions evolve and reaffirms its role as a voice for a strong, respected, and sustainable laboratory workforce in California.