The Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) Training Program at San Jose Staté University

Overview

The Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) Training Program, offered by the Department of Biological Sciences, is a 12 month program that enables students to obtain a Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB) Certificate from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), as well as a California Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) License issued by the California Department of Public Health. The program is approximately 52 weeks long. Students spend 35 hours a week training on site at one of our Bay Area clinical affiliates, and 5 hours a week taking part in formal coursework online. If you are interested in applying to our program, we encourage you to read all of the information on this website.

Dates, Deadlines, and Timelines

• We take one cohort a year in Fall. 

• Application folders will be available beginning in October 2025 for the Fall 2026 Cohort.

• The CGMBS Fall 2026 application deadline is Friday, February 13th, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

• On-site clinical affiliate tours and interviews begin in April. 

• Orientation is in August.

• Coursework and training start in late August.

• Online courses and in-person on-site training lasts for 52 weeks.

Program Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, you must have: 

• A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent higher degree in a biological or clinical laboratory science, or field related to genetics.

• 18 semester units of biology including 

  • 3 semester units of genetics

  • 3 semester units of molecular biology or cell biology

  • Additional units can be in basic biology, genetics, cell biology, microbiology or molecular biology

• 10 semester units of chemistry including biochemistry

• Completion of 10 semester units of upper division biology or chemistry courses with a grade of B or better 

• 12 semester units of upper-division science course work at a United States university

• A minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4 point scale 

• Experience with molecular techniques, either through hands-on work (at least 500 work hours) or through classes (at least 9 semester units of laboratory credits in molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology or genetics related labs) 

• Three (3) letters of recommendation 

• Possession of a Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist Trainee License 

• Acceptance by the SJSU CGMBS Program admissions committee and a clinical affiliate 

• Legal right to work in the United States

• Meet all the requirements of San José State University Admissions Department

• Be able to pass basic health screen, drug test, background check

• Proof of current immunity to Hep B and other infectious diseases as required by our clinical affiliates

Additional Important Information

• Applicants MUST have a CGMBS Trainee license to apply to our program

• Our SJSU CGMBS Training Program Admission Requirements complement the requirements of California Laboratory Field Services (LFS) for a CGMBS Trainee License

Additional Requirements for Applicants with Degrees from Foreign Countries 

For applicants with prerequisites or a degree from a foreign country, a course-by-course transcript evaluation is required from one of the following agencies:

• National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)

• Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc (AICE)

Program Cost

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Starting in Fall 2025, tuition is $1050 per unit for a total cost of $9450, with a 5% increase every Fall through 2028. Tuition is subject to change. Federal student loans may be available, subject to maximum eligibility for the school year. Other private loans may also be available.  

Every semester you will need to enroll in one 3 unit course. The first course is in Fall semester. The second course in Spring semester.  The final course is in Summer semester. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a CLS and a CGMBS?  

A CLS is licensed to perform all patient testing in every type of clinical lab, while a CGMBS is limited to performing molecular testing. 

Are there jobs available when I complete this program? 

Yes. There are clinical laboratory workforce shortages throughout California and the country, so our graduates have many job opportunities. For example, a typical Indeed.com search for CGMBS jobs within 25 miles of San José yields over 35 job listings. Typical starting pay for a new CGMBS is approximately 50 dollars an hour. 

What are the final steps in determining who is accepted into the program, and ultimately placed at a particular training site?

1. Only selected candidates will be invited to tour and interview with representatives of our participating clinical sites. 

2. Candidates will be ranked and matched per our matching protocol outlined in the Scoring and Matching Process Document.

3. Candidates who are matched with clinical sites will need to be admitted to San Jose State University by using Cal State Apply. 

Program Outcomes

Prospective students can be confident that our program will prepare them for a career performing molecular diagnostic testing as a CGMBS. We are proud of the success of our graduates.

Graduation Rates

• 100% of admitted students from 2018 to present successfully graduated from the program.

Board of Certification Pass Rate

• 100% of graduates from 2018 to present passed the ASCP certification exam within one year of graduation.

Job Placement Rates

• 100% of graduates from 2018 to present found employment in a related field and/or continued their education within one year of graduation.

How to Apply

Please refer to drop down tab on the left of this page, underneath Home - CGMBS. 

Contact

After reading all of the information on this website, specific questions can be emailed to cls-group@sjsu.edu