1VAC30-45-500: Laboratory enrollment in proficiency testing program

A. Required level of participation.

1. To be certified initially and to maintain certification, a laboratory shall participate in PT studies as specified in 1VAC30-45-520 B for the fields of certification (FoC) for which the laboratory seeks or wants to maintain certification.

2. The applicant laboratory shall obtain PT samples from a PT provider approved by TNI. If a PT sample is not available from a TNI-approved provider, the laboratory shall consult DCLS for an approved provider.

B. Requesting certification.

1. When applying for certification, the laboratory owner shall notify DCLS of the fields of certification for which the laboratory chooses to become certified and shall participate in the appropriate PT studies.

2. For all fields of certification for which PT samples are not available, the laboratory shall ensure the reliability of its testing procedures by maintaining a quality system that meets all applicable requirements of Article 4 (1VAC30-45-600 et seq.) of Part II of this chapter.

C. Reporting results. Each laboratory shall authorize the PT study provider to release the results of the final evaluation report of the laboratory's PT study directly to DCLS, in addition to the laboratory.