Application is available from mid-February each year. Applicants must be an Associate member of NZIMLS, and need to have exam applications to the Executive office by 15 April. No late entries are accepted.

It is not compulsory for trainee technicians to sit a QMLT after six months of practical experience. You may sit the following year.

The cost of the 2026 QMLT Examinations is $390.00.

You must also be an Associate Member of NZIMLS, which is an additional annual cost of $60.00

Your supervisor/employer will arrange a room for you to sit your examination along with any other candidates from your workplace. They will also organise an invigilator to supervise the exam.

NZIMLS does not offer 'courses' as all training is 'on the job'. Your Supervisor should be helping with your training.

• You can study from previous examinations, available from our website (we do not provide answers)
• Download the Practical Assessment for your discipline - working through this will help with your study
• Download and follow the curriculum for your discipline
• Use the NZIMLS QMLT resources page

Provision is made for you to withdraw from/rollover your examination under special circumstances. Please refer to the QMLT Prerequisites document for further information. Requests for withdrawal must be received, in writing to the Executive Office, no later than 1st September in the year you are sitting your exam.

Rollover of fees may only be granted once.

The Practical Assessment is to be completed, and the entire document is to be emailed to the NZIMLS office within 12 months of passing your exam.

Ensure you have provided NZIMLS with your completed, signed Practical Assessment. Scan and send the entire document to admin@nzimls.org.nz

Complete your hours. You are required to complete 2,000 hours  for your qualification to be finalised. Once you have finished your hours, download a Completion of Hours form (available here), fill in and email to the Executive Office.

Apply for Registration as a Medical Laboratory Technician or Medical Laboratory Pre-analytical Technician with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand.

Once the Executive Office receive your signed Completion of Hours and Practical Assessment forms your Certificate and badge will be posted to you. This completes your qualification.

All those practising as a Medical Laboratory Technician or Scientist must hold a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC) and Registration with the Medical Sciences Council. In order to keep your APC current, you need to participate in a Competency and Professional Development Programme (CPD). NZIMLS offers programmes both for Scientists and Technicians.

Membership with NZIMLS is voluntary, however keeping your membership is a good way to stay in touch with other professionals working in the field of medical laboratory science. As an Associate member you will receive discounted rates to NZIMLS Special Interest Group meetings and Conferences.

NOTE: You must remain a financial member of NZIMLS until the time you fully complete your qualification (i.e. passed the examination AND provided us with your Completion of Hours and Practical Assessment sign-offs.)

YES! You must let the Executive Office know if you no longer wish to be a member. Reminder notices are sent out via email at the beginning of each year, and you are potentially liable for that year's fees unless you have resigned your membership.