Many healthcare professionals, in specialty fields such as Hyperbaric medicine, Cardiovascular Perfusion, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Laboratory Safety, Cytology, Blood Banking, and others, wonder if their specialized medical role can qualify for TN status under the Medical Technologist/Technician category of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), formerly NAFTA.
This blog explains how to test your eligibility using the official regulatory criteria and guidance from USCIS and 8 CFR § 214.6.
Step 1: The Core Definition
Under the USMCA, the Medical Laboratory Technologist/Technician (MLT) category applies to professionals who:
- Perform diagnostic testing and analysis on biological or medical specimens.
- Work in clinical or research laboratories (such as chemistry, hematology, microbiology, or pathology).
- Hold a baccalaureate or licenciatura degree in a laboratory science field, or a post-secondary diploma plus three years of experience.
If your daily work focuses on testing, analyzing, and reporting lab results, you may qualify.
If your duties are primarily clinical, procedural, or therapeutic, your occupation likely does not fit the TN technologist category.
Step 2: USCIS and Regulatory Criteria
According to USCIS policy and 8 CFR § 214.6, the TN category for Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada) and Medical Technologist (Mexico and the United States) is defined as follows:
8 CFR § 214.6(b) – Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada) / Medical Technologist (Mexico and the United States)
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years of experience. A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a laboratory, chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases.
USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part M, Ch. 2(A)(1)(i)
An alien in this category must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a laboratory chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases. The alien must present the health care worker certification described in this chapter.
Taken together, these definitions make clear that a Medical Technologist or Technologist (Canada/Mexico/United States) under the USMCA must:
- Hold a qualifying post-secondary degree or diploma (plus experience, if applicable).
- Perform laboratory-based diagnostic testing or analysis for medical purposes.
- Provide proof of a valid health care worker certification (such as a VisaScreen).
This category is limited to professionals engaged in laboratory testing and analysis, not direct patient care, therapeutic procedures, or equipment operation.
Step 3: The Exclusion Test
Even if your work is science- or health-related, specific specialty fields are excluded from the Medical Technologist category. The USMCA and VisaScreen guidelines state:
Applicants whose entry-to-practice education is in a specialty field such as Cardiovascular Perfusion, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Laboratory Safety, Cytology, Blood Banking, etc., do not fall within the technologist category. These occupations fall outside the purview of the certification requirement.
This means that if your professional training or certification is focused on a single medical subspecialty rather than general laboratory testing, you are likely outside the TN classification.
Step 4: The VisaScreen Alignment Test
The VisaScreen: Visa Credentials Assessment Service, administered by CGFNS International, provides a useful checkpoint. Only the following healthcare professionals are eligible for VisaScreen certification, and therefore, potential TN recognition:
- Registered Nurses
- Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurses
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physician Assistants
- Audiologists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Clinical Laboratory Technicians / Medical Laboratory Technicians
- Clinical Laboratory Scientists / Medical Laboratory Technologists
If your profession is not on this list, or if your entry-to-practice education is in a specialized non-laboratory field, your occupation may not qualify for TN status as a Medical Technologist/Technician.
Step 5: The Real-World Example
Let’s test this rule with a Hyperbaric Medicine Technologist:
- Primary duties: Administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy, operate chambers, monitor patients, and ensure safety.
- Qualifications: RN, EMT, or RT license plus Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) credential.
- Core function: Therapeutic patient care, not diagnostic testing.
Result: This role does not qualify for TN status as a Medical Technologist/Technician because it focuses on patient therapy rather than laboratory analysis.
The same reasoning applies to Cardiovascular Perfusionists, Respiratory Therapists, and other similar specialty roles.
Step 6: The Practical Takeaway
If you are trying to determine whether your healthcare role qualifies for TN status, ask yourself:
- Do I perform chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease? If the answer is no, and your work involves therapy, procedures, or equipment operation, then your position does not qualify under the TN Medical Technologist/Technician category.
Final Thought
Not all healthcare professionals fit neatly into TN categories, and that is okay. The key is understanding how your education, licensure, and core job duties align with both the USCIS TN criteria and the 8 CFR § 214.6 regulatory definition. When in doubt, consult with an experienced immigration attorney who can evaluate your credentials and guide you toward the correct visa classification.
Citation
- Who can order the VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment Service?
- § 214.6 Citizens of Canada or Mexico seeking temporary entry under USMCA to engage in business activities at a professional level.
We Can Help!
If you have questions regarding an immigration matter, we invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Please read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
