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CALAS Registry Committee

The CALAS Registry Committee certifies Animal Technicians to ensure the highest quality care possible for laboratory animals. The certification process includes both a written exam and an oral exam, based on study guides and reference materials provided to eligible applicants.

Registered Technicians

A Registered Laboratory Animal Technician has an animal science education, specific training in the care and use of laboratory animals and on the job practical experience. Continued development of this expertise enables him/her to obtain the knowledge base and practical competency required to meet the high standards set by the CALAS Registry examinations.

Why Should I become a Registered Member?

Registered members are valued nationwide!  They have met the standard for proper laboratory animal care, use, and knowledge.  

Becoming a Registered Laboratory Animal Technician offers:   

1. Higher quality animal care:  Technicians with enhanced knowledge in laboratory animal science can dramatically improve the quality of animal care in Canada. 
2. Career advancement: Achieving registered status can open doors to promotion and the opportunity to take on more varied tasks.
3. Documentation of adequate training: A CALAS Registry Committee Certificate provides formal documentation that you have met a nationally standardized high level of expertise in laboratory animal science. Documentation of such is increasingly being recognized as a requirement by institutional Animal Care Committees.
4. Continued education:  Preparing for examinations acts as a foundation on which many individuals build a program of continuing education for themselves. Involvement in CALAS provides many opportunities for continuing education and keeping abreast of current advancements.
5. Networking:  When you become a registered member of CALAS, you join a nation-wide group of animal care and research technicians across Canada with a common interest in laboratory animal care and well-being.
6. Self-satisfaction: Attaining a personal goal towards excellence in your field is rewarding.  

The CALAS Registry Committee, through its examination process, enables technicians working in a variety of laboratory animal settings to become registered at one or more of the following levels of registration: 

Status	Eligibility
ARLAT Associate Registered Laboratory Animal Technician	1. High school diploma or worked in an animal facility full time for at least 3 years and successfully completed each of three CALAS study programs (ARLAT 1, 2 and 3 Fascicles). NOTE: Upon successful completion of this program, an ARLAT requires 5 years of experience to write the RLAT examination.
RLAT Registered Laboratory Animal Technician	1. A diploma in Animal Health or Veterinary Technology, a related B.Sc., or a 2 year educational program deemed equivalent, and practical experience requiring at least 12 months employment in an animal health research facility prior to the examination. OR 2. Successfully completed the ARLAT Program with a minimum of 5 years work experience. NOTE: Provisional Registration is offered to those graduating from AHT diploma programs. New graduates are able to write the examination and if successful, can be provisionally registered. They can sit the oral examination and become fully registered if they obtain the practical experience within the next two years.
RMLAT Registered Master Laboratory Animal Technician	1.  Successfully completed the RLAT Program and five years of continued employment in the field of laboratory animal science after attaining the RLAT certication.

Continuing Education for Registered Members

Registered members (this includes ARLAT, RLAT, RMLAT designations) must meet annual Mandatory Continuing Education requirements to maintain their status.  Click here for more information.

For more information, please contact:

CALAS/ ACSAL National Office: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Exam Inquiries: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
CALAS/ACSAL Registry Chair: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it