Laboratory Accreditation Program

The CAP's Laboratory Accreditation Program is unlike any other. It’s an engaging, dynamic, collaborative experience that fosters continuous improvement. Top-ranked hospitals prefer our program. Why? We help them manage changes in laboratory medicine and technology, as well as the regulatory landscape.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) granted the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program deeming authority, which allows CAP inspection in lieu of a CMS inspection. In addition, the CAP retains deemed status with the Joint Commission, United Network for Organ Sharing, the National Marrow Donor Program, the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapies, and many US state agencies.

Annual checklist updates incorporate the latest best practices. Developed with input from more than 500 pathologists, our checklists provide a clear roadmap for achieving accreditation and running a high-quality laboratory.

The CAP’s unique peer-inspection model benefits both the laboratories being inspected and the laboratories providing the inspection teams. Our inspection teams are trained, practicing laboratory professionals who understand the workflows and challenges you face because they face them every day as well. In addition, only the CAP offers specialty inspectors for key, high-complexity disciplines.

CAP Laboratory Accreditation helps laboratories:

• Maintain accuracy of test results and ensure accurate patient diagnosis
• Meet required standards from CLIA, FDA and OSHA. CAP requirements commonly exceed the standards, bolstering patient care and safety.
• Manage rapidly evolving changes in laboratory medicine and technology
• Exchange ideas and best practices among pathology and laboratory medicine peers
• Offer professional development and learning opportunities for laboratory staff

• On-site inspections occur every two years using CAP Accreditation Checklists to assess compliance with program requirements.
• Participating laboratories can access the checklists through e-LAB Solutions Suite and non-accredited laboratories may purchase the checklist.
• Peer-based inspection model uses teams of practicing professionals qualified through a CAP inspector training program.

• The CAP accredits laboratories performing testing on specimens from human beings or animals, using methodologies and clinical application within the expertise of the program. Laboratories must be appropriately licensed to perform testing when required by law.
• For international laboratories seeking CAP accreditation, enrollment is required for a minimum of six months in our EQA/PT prior to requesting an accreditation application.

The graphic below captures the accreditation and inspection cycle for CAP-accredited laboratories. The initial inspection is announced, thereafter, all US inspections are unannounced due to the CAP’s deemed status with the Joint Commission. Subsequent international inspections are announced.

Use our database to search for CAP-accredited laboratories.