| The need for state licensure in themedical laboratory professionhas been the subject of debate for many decades. Major issuesinclude: patient safety, quality of testing, appropriateness of qualifications, scope of practice, professional recognition, impact on wages, limited state-to-state mobility, and personnel shortages. The majority oflaboratory analyses are performed in states that do not require a licensure. Many healthcare facilitiesprefernational certification for employment, but, as this is not required,facilities are free to foregocertification requirements. This thesis provides areview of the literature withevidence forthe importance of requiring a license for clinical laboratory practice by comparing the quality of results in clinical laboratories requiring certification vs. those that do not employ certified laboratory personnel. This thesis will also demonstrate the methods and efforts madein an effort to obtain licensure for laboratory professionals in the State of Idaho. Key Words: Licensure, certification, medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science |