111Ler1111 +GIO i V 

MASTER OF Alf011ETA 

In Visa Petition Proceedings 

A-13680552 

Decided by Regional Commissioner July 1,1968 

Preference classification under section 203(a) (3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act., as amended, as a medical records librarian is denied sines the 

qualification standards for a medical records librarian (completion of a oneyear specialized academic training program) do not reach the high level of 

academic preparation characteristic of occupations classified as professions. 

ON Beam., or Parrzionrs : Lloyd A. Tasoff, Attorney 

542 S. Broadway, Suite 1220 

Los Angeles, California 90013 

This case comes forward on appeal from the decision of the District 

Director Los Angeles who denied the petition on May 15, 1968 in that 

the petitioner's occupation was not a proiessional occupation and that 

petitioner was therefore ineligible for preference classification under 

section 203 (a) (3) of the Immigration • and Nationality Act, as 

amended.. 

Oral argument was requested and granted. Attorney of record 

appeared as scheduled. 

Petitioner is a 36-year-old single female, a native and citizen of the 

Philippines temporarily in the United States. The petitioner was last 

admitted to the United States at Detroit, June 17, 1966 as a student to 

attend Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California and granted 

extension of stay in that status to June 17, 1967. She had previously 

been admitted to the United States as a visitor in October 1962 and 

was granted a change of status to student on March 4, 1963. She 

subsequently attended school at Fresno City College, Loma Linda 

University, and East Los Angeles College, enrolled in the fields of 

medical secretary and medical records. On January 26, 1968 she obtained an Associate in Arts degree upon completion of a two -year 

course in medical records from the East Los Angeles College. On September 8, 1967 she was issued a certification as an "Accredited Record 

Technician" by the American Association of Medical Record Librar785 
Interim Decision #1879 

fans. The record shows that prior to coming to the United States she 

had obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration 

in May 1962 from the Philippine Women's University in Manila. 

In Form ES-575A, "Statement of Qualifications of Alien," submitted in support of her petition she claims to have worked as a medical 

secretary and laboratory assistant in a sanitarium and hospital in 

Pasay City, Philippines from 1950 to 1962 and that since 1966 has 

worked at a medical center in Los Angeles rendering bedside care to 

patients. She filed the present petition in February 1968 for preference 

classification under section 903 (a) (8) of the Act, as a member of the 

professions as a medical records librarian. A certification from the Secretary of Labor pursuant to section 212 (a) (14) of the Act, as amended, 

has not been obtained or requested. 

Section 101(a) (32) of the Act, as amended, defines the term 

"profession" as including but not being limited to architects, engineers, 

lawyers, physicians, surgeons and teachers in elementary or secondary 

schools, colleges, academies or seminaries. 

Section 203(a) (3) of the Act, as amended, provides that visas shall 

be made available "to qualified immigrants who are members of the 

professions, or who because of their exceptional ability in the sciences 

or the arts will substantially benefit prospectively the national economy, cultural interest or welfare of the United States." 

In Matter of A—, 2I. & N. Dec. 660, it is stated: 

Examination of the occupations named in section 101(a) (32) of the Act, indicates the following characteristics common to all: (1) recognition as a member 

of those professions normally requires the eueeessfai comnletion of a specified 

course of education on the college or university level, culminating in the attainment of a specific type of degree or diploma; and (2) the attainment of such 

degree or diploma is usually the minimum requirement for entry into those 

occupations. 

Volume I of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Third Edition, 

published by the Department of Labor, defines the duties of medical 

record librarian (Code 100.388) as Medical services as follows: 

Compiles and maintains medical records of hospital and Onto patients. Reviews 

clinical records for Completeness and contacts medical personnel to obtain missing data. Codes, indexes, and files records of diagnoses, diseases, and treatments. 

Compiles statistics, such as reports on admissions, births, deaths, transfers, and 

discharges. Releases medical information to staff and authorized governmental 

agencies, insurance companies, physicians, hospitals and medical information and 

research centers. May brief and transcribe records. May testify in court to 

authenticate medical records. May be registered with American Association of 

Medical Record Librarians, and be known as REGISTERED RECORD 

LIBRARIAN. 

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Volume II of the above Dictionary shows that occupations in the 

three terminal digit group of .388 as clerical in nature and states : 

Graduation from high school with successful completion of commercial 

courses and demonstrated familiarity with elementary clerical skills will usually 

qualify an individual for entry into this work. 

A period of on-the-job training ranging up to 3 months is usually sufficient to 

familiarize entry workers with clerical procedures and forms used in specific 

establishments. 

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, also published by the Department of Labor states that 30 schools are approved by the American 

Medical Association for training in Medical Record Library Science 

and that a certificate is issued. upon. the completion of a one year specialized academic training program. 

The qualification standards for a "Medical Records Librarian" do 

not reach the level of the high academic preparation standards characteristic of occupations classified as professions. The occupation in 

which the petitioner seeks employment in the United States cannot 

be considered a professional occupation as contemplated by the statute 

and will not support a petition for classification under section 203 

(a) (3) of the Act, as amended. The decision of the District Director 

was proper. The petitioner is not eligible for the preference classification sought. The appeal will be dismissed. 

The denial of the petition for third preference classification is without prejudice to determining her qualifications for sixth preference, if 

a petition to accord her that classification, supported by the required 

Labor Department certification, is submitted in her behalf by an actual 

or prospective employer. 

ORDER : It is ordered that the appeal be' dismieded. 

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