How do I become a clinical chemist?

There are several routes to becoming a Clinical Chemist in Canada.  The most common is first to obtain a Ph.D. in a branch of chemistry or life science (often biochemistry or physiology) and then to enter a two-year Postdoctoral Training Program in Clinical Chemistry (one centre has a 3-year program).  Such programs, available at 6 universities in Canada are directed toward acquiring professional competence as well as a small research complement. 

Professional competence is assessed through written and oral examinations set and supervised by the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (CACB), a body within the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC).  A Specialty Certificate is awarded following successful completion of the examinations.  

Postdoctoral Training Programs

University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario
Program Directors: 
Dr. Vathany Kulasingam (vathany.kulasingam@uhn.ca)
Dr. Paul Yip (paul.yip@utoronto.ca)

McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario
Program Director:  Dr. Cynthia Balion  [balion@hhsc.ca]

Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec
(D.E.P.D.; Diplôme d'Études Post-Doctorales)
Program Director: Dr Jean-Pierre Émond :  [[jean.pierre.emond.chum@ssss.gouc.qc.ca] 

University of Manitoba, Winnipeg Manitoba
Program Driector:  Dr. AbdulRazaq Sokoro [asokoro@sharedhealthmb.ca] 
Call for applicants

University of Calgary and Alberta Precision Labs
Program Directors
Dr. Hossein S.M. Sadrzadeh and Dr. Jessica Boyd, co-directors; Shawna Pitman, program coordinator 

University of Alberta, Edmonton Alberta
Program Driectors:  Dr. Anna Füzéry [clinbioc@ualberta.ca]

Foreign Credentials

If you have a university degree from a university outside Canada or the USA, and need your credentials assess and recognized for one of these programs, please consult the Government of Canada Foreign Credentials  Referred Office (1-888-854-1805).

For more detailed information on the examination process, go to the Certification page, which includes the Syllabus (English and French versions), and copies of recent examinations.