Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulates all laboratory testing (except research) performed on humans in the U.S. through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). In total, CLIA covers approximately 320,000 laboratory entities. The Division of Clinical Laboratory Improvement & Quality, within the Quality, Safety & Oversight Group, under the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ) has the responsibility for implementing the CLIA Program.

The objective of the CLIA program is to ensure quality laboratory testing. Although all clinical laboratories must be properly certified to receive Medicare or Medicaid payments, CLIA has no direct Medicare or Medicaid program responsibilities.

COMPLAINT REPORTING

To report a complaint about a laboratory, contact the appropriate State Agency (PDF) that is found on the State Agency & Regional Office CLIA Contacts page located in the left-hand navigation pane in this section.  See the Consumer Complaints FAQ (PDF) on how to file a complaint. Additionally, see the Temporary COVID-19 Testing Sites (PDF) infographic, which advises those receiving laboratory services of things to be aware of to ensure they are receiving quality laboratory testing.

QUESTIONS ABOUT the CLIA PROGRAM

1. For Questions regarding a CLIA certificate or fees: If you have a question related to CLIA fees or payment, CMS-116 applications, demographic updates, certificate status or upgrades, and/or Laboratory Director changes, please call your local State agency for assistance.  Select the State agency based on the physical location of the laboratory.  The State agency maintains the certificate information for new and existing laboratory providers within their state. For a list of our State agency CLIA contacts (PDF), please visit our website at /Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/CLIA/Downloads/CLIASA.pdf (PDF)
2. All other questions about the CLIA program should be submitted to LabExcellence@cms.hhs.gov.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES FROM CLIA?

Sign up for our CLIA Communications Email List with the link below: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCMS/subscriber/new?topic_id=USCMS_12461