How to Get a CLIA License

A trip to the doctor often ends with lab work of some kind. The doctor's staff administers tests that screen for a variety of issues. The doctor's office and any other facility that administers tests of any kind must be licensed to perform testing. The organization that offers this license is called the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Here are the steps needed to acquire CLIA licensure.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact the state or regional office that coordinates licensure. The federal government has allowed the control of these licenses to be held at the state level. Most states have a Department of Health and Human Services that mirror the federal office of the same name. This is where the specifics of the licensure process will be handled.

• 2

  Determine the level of testing licensing needed. Some organizations, such as home health agencies, need only a "Waived" status for CLIA. The lab work that they perform is very minimal and has a low risk of exposure. The status is based on the knowledge, experience and steps involved in testing. The remaining levels include moderate and high complexity.

• 3

  Review requirements for licensure at state levels. Different states may require higher or lower levels of CLIA licensure based on the medical facility. It is important to know how state requirements and CLIA licensure relate to one another.

• 4

  Access the CLIA website for general information and updates on CLIA regulations. New tests may be categorized at specific licensure levels. CLIA may also provide information related to natural disasters and medical triage support that is provided by the government. Contact CLIA at fda.gov.