42 USC 263a - Certification of laboratories

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 29, 2024

§ 263a.

Certification of laboratories

(a)

“Laboratory” or “clinical laboratory” defined

(b)

Certificate requirement

(c)

Issuance and renewal of certificates

(1)

In general

(2)

Term

(d)

Requirements for certificates

(1)

In general

A laboratory may be issued a certificate or have its certificate renewed if—

(A)

the laboratory submits (or if the laboratory is accredited under subsection (e), the accreditation body which accredited the laboratory submits), an application—

(i)

in such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe,

(ii)

that describes the characteristics of the laboratory examinations and other procedures performed by the laboratory including—

(I)

the number and types of laboratory examinations and other procedures performed,

(II)

the methodologies for laboratory examinations and other procedures employed, and

(III)

the qualifications (educational background, training, and experience) of the personnel directing and supervising the laboratory and performing the laboratory examinations and other procedures, and

(iii)

that contains such other information as the Secretary may require to determine compliance with this section, and

(B)

the laboratory provides the Secretary—

(i)

with satisfactory assurances that the laboratory will be operated in accordance with standards issued by the Secretary under subsection (f), or

(ii)

with proof of accreditation under subsection (e),

(C)

the laboratory agrees to permit inspections by the Secretary under subsection (g),

(D)

the laboratory agrees to make records available and submit reports to the Secretary as the Secretary may reasonably require, and

(E)

the laboratory agrees to treat proficiency testing samples in the same manner as it treats materials derived from the human body referred to it for laboratory examinations or other procedures in the ordinary course of business, except that no proficiency testing sample shall be referred to another laboratory for analysis as prohibited under subsection (i)(4).

(2)

Requirements for certificates of waiver

(A)

In general

A laboratory which only performs laboratory examinations and procedures described in paragraph (3) shall be issued a certificate of waiver or have its certificate of waiver renewed if—

(i)

the laboratory submits an application—

(I)

in such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe,

(II)

that describes the characteristics of the laboratory examinations and other procedures performed by the laboratory, including the number and types of laboratory examinations and other procedures performed, the methodologies for laboratory examinations and other procedures employed, and the qualifications (educational background, training, and experience) of the personnel directing and supervising the laboratory and performing the laboratory examinations and other procedures, and

(III)

that contains such other information as the Secretary may reasonably require to determine compliance with this section, and

(ii)

the laboratory agrees to make records available and submit reports to the Secretary as the Secretary may require.

(B)

Changes

(C)

Effect

(3)

Examinations and procedures

The examinations and procedures identified in paragraph (2) are laboratory examinations and procedures that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for home use or that, as determined by the Secretary, are simple laboratory examinations and procedures that have an insignificant risk of an erroneous result, including those that—

(A)

employ methodologies that are so simple and accurate as to render the likelihood of erroneous results by the user negligible, or

(B)

the Secretary has determined pose no unreasonable risk of harm to the patient if performed incorrectly.

(4)

“Certificate” defined

(e)

Accreditation

(1)

In general

A laboratory may be accredited for purposes of obtaining a certificate if the laboratory—

(A)

meets the standards of an approved accreditation body, and

(B)

authorizes the accreditation body to submit to the Secretary (or such State agency as the Secretary may designate) such records or other information as the Secretary may require.

(2)

Approval of accreditation bodies

(A)

In general

The Secretary may approve a private nonprofit organization to be an accreditation body for the accreditation of laboratories if—

(i)

using inspectors qualified to evaluate the methodologies used by the laboratories in performing laboratory examinations and other procedures, the accreditation body agrees to inspect a laboratory for purposes of accreditation with such frequency as determined by 1

 So in original. Probably should be “by the”.

Secretary,

(ii)

the standards applied by the body in determining whether or not to accredit a laboratory are equal to or more stringent than the standards issued by the Secretary under subsection (f),

(iii)

there is adequate provision for assuring that the standards of the accreditation body continue to be met by the laboratory,

(iv)

in the case of any laboratory accredited by the body which has had its accreditation denied, suspended, withdrawn, or revoked or which has had any other action taken against it by the accrediting body, the accrediting body agrees to submit to the Secretary the name of such laboratory within 30 days of the action taken,

(v)

the accreditation body agrees to notify the Secretary at least 30 days before it changes its standards, and

(vi)

if the accreditation body has its approval withdrawn by the Secretary, the body agrees to notify each laboratory accredited by the body of the withdrawal within 10 days of the withdrawal.

(B)

Criteria and procedures

(C)

Effect of withdrawal of approval

If the Secretary withdraws the approval of an accreditation body under subparagraph (B), the certificate of any laboratory accredited by the body shall continue in effect for 60 days after the laboratory receives notification of the withdrawal of the approval, except that the Secretary may extend such period for a laboratory if it determines that the laboratory submitted an application for accreditation or a certificate in a timely manner after receipt of the notification of the withdrawal of approval. If an accreditation body withdraws or revokes the accreditation of a laboratory, the certificate of the laboratory shall continue in effect—

(i)

for 45 days after the laboratory receives notice of the withdrawal or revocation of the accreditation, or

(ii)

until the effective date of any action taken by the Secretary under subsection (i).

(D)

Evaluations

The Secretary shall evaluate annually the performance of each approved accreditation body by—

(i)

inspecting under subsection (g) a sufficient number of the laboratories accredited by such body to allow a reasonable estimate of the performance of such body, and

(ii)

such other means as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(3)

Omitted

(f)

Standards

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall issue standards to assure consistent performance by laboratories issued a certificate under this section of valid and reliable laboratory examinations and other procedures. Such standards shall require each laboratory issued a certificate under this section—

(A)

to maintain a quality assurance and quality control program adequate and appropriate for the validity and reliability of the laboratory examinations and other procedures of the laboratory and to meet requirements relating to the proper collection, transportation, and storage of specimens and the reporting of results,

(B)

to maintain records, equipment, and facilities necessary for the proper and effective operation of the laboratory,

(C)

in performing and carrying out its laboratory examinations and other procedures, to use only personnel meeting such qualifications as the Secretary may establish for the direction, supervision, and performance of examinations and procedures within the laboratory, which qualifications shall take into consideration competency, training, experience, job performance, and education and which qualifications shall, as appropriate, be different on the basis of the type of examinations and procedures being performed by the laboratory and the risks and consequences of erroneous results associated with such examinations and procedures,

(D)

to qualify under a proficiency testing program meeting the standards established by the Secretary under paragraph (3), and

(E)

to meet such other requirements as the Secretary determines necessary to assure consistent performance by such laboratories of accurate and reliable laboratory examinations and procedures.

(2)

Considerations

In developing the standards to be issued under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, within the flexibility provided under subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1), take into consideration—

(A)

the examinations and procedures performed and the methodologies employed,

(B)

the degree of independent judgment involved,

(C)

the amount of interpretation involved,

(D)

the difficulty of the calculations involved,

(E)

the calibration and quality control requirements of the instruments used,

(F)

the type of training required to operate the instruments used in the methodology, and

(G)

such other factors as the Secretary considers relevant.

(3)

Proficiency testing program

(A)

In general

(B)

Criteria

(C)

Approved proficiency testing programs

(D)

Onsite testing

(E)

Training, technical assistance, and enhanced proficiency testing

The Secretary may, in lieu of or in addition to actions authorized under subsection (h), (i), or (j), require any laboratory which fails to perform acceptably on an individual examination and procedure or a category of examination and procedures—

(i)

to undertake training and to obtain the necessary technical assistance to meet the requirements of the proficency 2

 So in original. Probably should be “proficiency”.

testing program,

(ii)

to enroll in a program of enhanced proficiency testing, or

(iii)

to undertake any combination of the training, technical assistance, or testing described in clauses (i) and (ii).

(F)

Testing results

(4)

National standards for quality assurance in cytology services

(A)

Establishment

(B)

Standards

The standards established under subparagraph (A) shall include—

(i)

the maximum number of cytology slides that any individual may screen in a 24-hour period,

(ii)

requirements that a clinical laboratory maintain a record of (I) the number of cytology slides screened during each 24-hour period by each individual who examines cytology slides for the laboratory, and (II) the number of hours devoted during each 24-hour period to screening cytology slides by such individual,

(iii)

criteria for requiring rescreening of cytological preparations, such as (I) random rescreening of cytology specimens determined to be in the benign category, (II) focused rescreening of such preparations in high risk groups, and (III) for each abnormal cytological result, rescreening of all prior cytological specimens for the patient, if available,

(iv)

periodic confirmation and evaluation of the proficiency of individuals involved in screening or interpreting cytological preparations, including announced and unannounced on-site proficiency testing of such individuals, with such testing to take place, to the extent practicable, under normal working conditions,

(v)

procedures for detecting inadequately prepared slides, for assuring that no cytological diagnosis is rendered on such slides, and for notifying referring physicians of such slides,

(vi)

requirements that all cytological screening be done on the premises of a laboratory that is certified under this section,

(vii)

requirements for the retention of cytology slides by laboratories for such periods of time as the Secretary considers appropriate, and

(viii)

standards requiring periodic inspection of cytology services by persons capable of evaluating the quality of cytology services.

(g)

Inspections

(1)

In general

(2)

Compliance with requirements and standards

(h)

Intermediate sanctions

(1)

In general

(2)

Types of sanctions

The intermediate sanctions which may be imposed under paragraph (1) shall consist of—

(A)

directed plans of correction,

(B)

civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each violation listed in subsection (i)(1) or for each day of substantial noncompliance with the requirements of this section,

(C)

payment for the costs of onsite monitoring, or

(D)

any combination of the actions described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).

(3)

Procedures

(i)

Suspension, revocation, and limitation

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the certificate of a laboratory issued under this section may be suspended, revoked, or limited if the Secretary finds, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the owner or operator of the laboratory, that such owner or operator or any employee of the laboratory—

(A)

has been guilty of misrepresentation in obtaining the certificate,

(B)

has performed or represented the laboratory as entitled to perform a laboratory examination or other procedure which is not within a category of laboratory examinations or other procedures authorized in the certificate,

(C)

has failed to comply with the requirements of subsection (d) or the standards prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (f),

(D)

has failed to comply with reasonable requests of the Secretary for—

(i)

any information or materials, or

(ii)

work on materials,

that the Secretary concludes is necessary to determine the laboratory’s continued eligibility for its certificate or continued compliance with the Secretary’s standards under subsection (f),

(E)

has refused a reasonable request of the Secretary, or any Federal officer or employee duly designated by the Secretary, for permission to inspect the laboratory and its operations and pertinent records during the hours the laboratory is in operation,

(F)

has violated or aided and abetted in the violation of any provisions of this section or of any regulation promulgated thereunder, or

(G)

has not complied with an intermediate sanction imposed under subsection (h).

(2)

Action before a hearing

If the Secretary determines that—

(A)

the failure of a laboratory to comply with the standards of the Secretary under subsection (f) presents an imminent and serious risk to human health, or

(B)

a laboratory has engaged in an action described in subparagraph (D) or (E) of paragraph (1),

the Secretary may suspend or limit the certificate of the laboratory before holding a hearing under paragraph (1) regarding such failure or refusal. The opportunity for a hearing shall be provided no later than 60 days from the effective date of the suspension or limitation. A suspension or limitation under this paragraph shall stay in effect until the decision of the Secretary made after the hearing under paragraph (1).

(3)

Ineligibility to own or operate laboratories after revocation

(4)

Improper referrals

(j)

Injunctions

(k)

Judicial review

(1)

Petition

(2)

Additional evidence

(3)

Judgment of court

(4)

Finality of judgment

(l)

Sanctions

(m)

Fees

(1)

Certificate fees

(2)

Additional fees

(3)

Criteria

(A)

Fees under paragraph (1)

(B)

Fees under paragraph (2)

(C)

Fees imposed under paragraphs (1) and (2)

(n)

Information

On April 1, 1990 and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall compile and make available to physicians and the general public information, based on the previous calendar year, which the Secretary determines is useful in evaluating the performance of a laboratory, including—

(1)

a list of laboratories which have been convicted under Federal or State laws relating to fraud and abuse, false billings, or kickbacks,

(2)

a list of laboratories—

(A)

which have had their certificates revoked, suspended, or limited under subsection (i), or

(B)

which have been the subject of a sanction under subsection (l),

together with a statement of the reasons for the revocation, suspension, limitation, or sanction,

(3)

a list of laboratories subject to intermediate sanctions under subsection (h) together with a statement of the reasons for the sanctions,

(4)

a list of laboratories whose accreditation has been withdrawn or revoked together with a statement of the reasons for the withdrawal or revocation,

(5)

a list of laboratories against which the Secretary has taken action under subsection (j) together with a statement of the reasons for such action, and

(6)

a list of laboratories which have been excluded from participation under title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq., 1396 et seq.].

The information to be compiled under paragraphs (1) through (6) shall be information for the calendar year preceding the date the information is to be made available to the public and shall be accompanied by such explanatory information as may be appropriate to assist in the interpretation of the information compiled under such paragraphs.

(o)

Delegation

(p)

State laws

(1)

Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the power of any State to enact and enforce laws relating to the matters covered by this section to the extent that such laws are not inconsistent with this section or with the regulations issued under this section.

(2)

If a State enacts laws relating to matters covered by this section which provide for requirements equal to or more stringent than the requirements of this section or than the regulations issued under this section, the Secretary may exempt clinical laboratories in that State from compliance with this section.

(q)

Consultations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 353, as added Pub. L. 90–174, § 5(a), Dec. 5, 1967, 81 Stat. 536; amended Pub. L. 100–578, § 2, Oct. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 2903; Pub. L. 105–115, title I, § 123(h), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2324; Pub. L. 112–202, § 2, Dec. 4, 2012, 126 Stat. 1483.)

cite as: 42 USC 263a

Get the CustomsMobile app!