exam info
The CLSO and CMLSO exams are primarily based upon the ANSI Z136
Series of Laser Safety Standards. The parent document, ANSI Z136.1-2007
Safe Use of Lasers has been recently revised. This standard
is the primary source of information for the CLSO exam and a major
source of information for the CMLSO exam. The primary source of
information for the CMLSO exam is the ANSI Z136.3-2005 Safe
Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities standard. Laser Institute
of America is the publisher of the ANSI standards and they can
be obtained at their website www.laserinstitute.org.
Below are links to each of the exams reference guides in pdf
format:
Certified
LSO Exam Reference Guide
Certified
Medical LSO Exam Reference Guide
The exam is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions.
The questions are grouped into areas of practice. Each question
has five (four for CMLSO exam) possible answers from which to
choose. The total allotted time to take the exam is three hours.
Examinees may bring a simple scientific calculator (non-programmable)
and spare batteries if desired. (Calculators are not necessary
for the CMLSO exam). Personal computers, books, manuals, notes
or other reference materials may not be brought into the exam
room.
Materials will be inspected on site, and proctors can refuse
to allow examinees to bring certain calculators or other materials
into the examination room. If you have any questions about what
types of calculators or other materials are permitted, please
contact the BLS in advance.
Exam dates, locations and delivery method (pencil and paper, web,
computer, etc.) are administrative decisions and will be at the
discretion of the BLS staff. There will be a minimum of 2 pencil
and paper exam dates per year, in the spring and fall. Other exam
dates throughout the year may be added at the discretion of the
BLS staff.
Once an examinee has been accepted to take the exam they will
receive a username, password and website address via email. The
attendee then goes to the website and requests a date and location
to take the exam. Once this is confirmed the attendee will be
sent an email with instructions on where to go and when to check
in. Each examinee must provide a picture ID such as a driver's
license or a state identification card, and should also bring
his or her letter of admission from the BLS.
Once an examinee has been accepted to take the exam they will
receive a letter of acceptance from the BLS via mail or email.
Registration for exams will begin promptly one hour prior to exam
start time. For example an exam that is scheduled to begin at
9:00 am local time will start registration at 8:00 am local time.
Exam times are posted on the website and included in the attendee's
letter of acceptance. Each examinee must provide a picture ID
such as a driver's license or a state identification card, and
should also bring his or her letter of acceptance from the BLS.
Within two years of notification of acceptance to sit
for the exam, an applicant who wishes to retake the exam due to
cancellation or failure must notify the BLS in writing. Applicants
may only take the exam two (2) times in a two-year period. There
is a $100 fee to retake the exam. Written notification must be
received within this two-year period.
An applicant who was originally accepted more than two years
previously must follow the new applicant procedures, including
payment of a new fee.
There are nine (eight for CMLSO exam) areas of practice on the
subject matter of laser safety. Each area of practice is broken
down into tasks needed to be performed by an LSO. To assist you
in understanding the subject matter the areas of practice are
provided here.
Area of Practice I - Lasers & Optics Fundamentals
- 11%
Area of Practice II - Laser/Optical Radiation Bioeffects - 11%
Area of Practice III - Non-beam Hazards Associated with Lasers - 8%
Area of Practice IV - Laser Control Measures - 17%
Area of Practice V - Regulations and Standards - 14%
Area of Practice VI - Hazard Evaluation & Classification - 15%
Area of Practice VII - Maximum Permissible Exposures (MPE) - 11%
Area of Practice VIII - Laser Safety Program Administration - 10%
Area of Practice IX - Laser Measurements - 3%
Area of Practice I - Lasers & Optics Fundamentals
- 13%
Area of Practice II - Laser Tissue Interactions- 13%
Area of Practice III - Laser Beam Hazards of Eye & Skin-16%
Area of Practice IV - Non-beam Hazards Associated with Lasers- 11%
Area of Practice V - Regulations and Standards - 15%
Area of Practice VI - Laser Hazard Class & Controlled Areas- 13%
Area of Practice VII - Procedural Control Measures- 12%
Area of Practice VIII - Administrative Control Measures- 7%
Click here to
request more detailed information about the CLSO program including
a complete application package.
