The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) signed and renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 6 June 2023 regarding the practice of a Filipino Registered Medical Technologist (RMT) in Hawaii.
The partnership established through the MOU removes some regulatory barriers that currently apply to Filipino RMTs seeking employment in Hawaii through the recognition of their training and experience by the State of Hawaii.
Pursuant to the Hawaii Administrative Rule (HAR) Chapter 11-110.1, a license to practice as a medical technologist (clinical laboratory scientist) may be issued only to an applicant who is accredited by a certifying agency acceptable to HDOH. Moreover, under HAR 11-110.1-26, an applicant for a medical technologist license who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology needs to complete one (1) year of full-time experience as a medical laboratory technician in a clinical laboratory acceptable to HDOH.
Under the MOU, the above-cited rules shall be waived when the following requirements are met by the applicant:
- Holder of a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from an academic institution in the Philippines that is recognized and accepted by HDOH;
- Completed an internship program from a laboratory in the Philippines which is accredited as a training laboratory by the Philippine Government and affiliated with an academic institution recognized and accepted by HDOH;
- Licensed Medical Technologist in the Philippines; and
- Obtained at least two (2) years of full-time work experience in a tertiary level hospital-based clinical laboratory licensed by the Philippine Government.
The recently signed MOU between PRC and HDOH shall remain in effect for five (5) years from the date of execution unless extended by both parties in writing or earlier terminated.
Interested and qualified Filipino RMTs may now submit their applications to the Regulation Division of the PRC Regional Offices.
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