Legal issues relevant to clinical laboratory education program admissions.
OBJECTIVE
To address the basic legal requirements for admissions, admissions standards, student and applicant records, and discrimination in admissions for clinical laboratory science (CLS) and clinical laboratory technician (CLT) educational programs.


METHODS
Recent academic literature and legal precedents.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Not applicable.


RESULTS
CLS and CLT educational programs typically practice selective admissions. Program directors and faculty need to be aware of the issues relating to student selection that may have legal implications. Admissions practices should be guided by three basic legal requirements: that the selection process not be arbitrary or capricious, that the program adhere to its published admissions standards and honor admissions decisions, and that the program not have admissions policies that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, or citizenship. Specific guidelines are offered for applying these legal requirements to the admissions practices typically used by CLS and CLT programs, including published admission policies and standards, application forms, interviews, rating of noncognitive attributes, and communication with applicants.


CONCLUSIONS
Admissions practices in CLS and CLT programs need to be guided by the three basic legal requirements.
Laudicina
R J
RJ
Department of Medical Allied Health Professions, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7145, USA.
Legrys
V A
VA
Beck
S J
SJ
D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education*; D011287:Prejudice; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012576:Schools, Health Occupations / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States