R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17-33: Pap smears — Quality assurance standards.

Any licensed health care facility in which pap smears are taken shall submit the smear for processing only to a laboratory which is licensed by the department of health specifically to perform cervical cytology, or is accredited by the American Society of Cytology, or is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, or is a hospital accredited by the joint commission for the accreditation of health care organizations, or is a hospital accredited by the American Osteopathic Association.