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Proficiency testing evaluates a laboratory’s ability to achieve a correct test result using their laboratory’s materials, personnel, equipment, environmental conditions, and procedures. In this program, samples are sent to laboratories twice per year for analysis. Each laboratory’s results are then compared with a control lab and other laboratories to verify that results between labs are consistent. Researchers and participating labs will then be assured that their testing is accurate.

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) are U.S. regulations created to provide quality standards for all laboratory testing to ensure accuracy, reliability and timeliness of patient test results. These standards apply to any facility that does laboratory testing on specimens derived from humans to give information for clinical purposes, including the assessment of health. While research laboratories are not required to follow CLIA, it is a good idea to work with labs that, at a minimum, follow quality standards that ensure the results you get are accurate, consistent, and reliable.