The Indian Confederation of Medical Laboratory Science (ICMLS) has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts to define and protect the Scope of Practice (SoP) for Medical Laboratory Professionals in India. Recognizing that clearly defined professional boundaries are essential for ensuring quality diagnostics, patient safety, and professional recognition, ICMLS has consistently worked with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders to formalize and strengthen the role of Medical Laboratory Technicians, Technologists, and Scientists within the national healthcare framework.

ICMLS’s advocacy focuses on the following key areas:

Professional Recognition and Classification: ICMLS has been actively engaging with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) to ensure that Medical Laboratory Professionals are appropriately classified and recognized according to their education, competencies, and responsibilities. The organization has also raised concerns regarding the inadequate classification under ISCO-08 code 3212, highlighting its adverse implications for professional identity and global mobility.

Defining Core Competencies and Roles: ICMLS advocates for a structured Scope of Practice framework that differentiates between the levels of laboratory professionals—Technicians, Technologists, and Scientists—based on academic qualification, skill, and accountability. This ensures that each professional operates within their authorized domain, contributing to safe, accurate, and ethical laboratory testing.

 Policy Inclusion under the NCAHP Act: Through official submissions and representations, ICMLS has proposed that the Model Curriculum and Practice Regulations under the NCAHP Act should explicitly include Scope of Practice definitions, linking them with national standards of education and training.

Protection of Professional Autonomy: ICMLS emphasizes that defining SoP is critical to prevent role overlap or encroachment by unqualified personnel. The Confederation advocates for a legally enforceable framework that upholds professional autonomy and accountability, ensuring that only qualified laboratory professionals perform and validate diagnostic procedures.

Global Alignment and Best Practices: ICMLS draws on international benchmarks, such as those established by the IFBLS (International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science), to align India’s professional standards with global best practices—facilitating international recognition and mobility of Indian laboratory professionals.

In summary, ICMLS’s advocacy for defining the Scope of Practice is a vital step toward building a competent, accountable, and globally recognized laboratory workforce. By ensuring that each professional’s role is clearly defined and legally protected, ICMLS aims to strengthen the quality, safety, and integrity of diagnostic laboratory services across India.