Waived Laboratories

Any Laboratory conducting waived tests only must have a valid CLIA Certificate of Waiver. To apply for a CLIA Certificate of Waiver complete a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Form CMS-116[ ] and mail it to the Agency at the address to the right.

To check to see if a test is "waived", CMS advises that it can be checked on the Food and Drug Administration's web site and provides a PDF file[ ] of waived Laboratory tests as well.

Examples of waived tests include:

Dip stick urinalysis or tablet reagent urinalysis (non-automated or certain automated analyzers)
Fecal occult blood
Urine pregnancy tests
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) non-automated
Blood glucose- devices cleared by the Food and Drug Administration of home use

Federal Requirements for a Certificate of Waiver:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the CLIA Laboratory certification program in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All facilities performing any clinical Laboratory testing are required to obtain a CLIA certificate. Waived testing laboratories:

Employs methodologies that are so simple and accurate as to render the likelihood of erroneous results negligible.
Pose no reasonable risk of harm to the patient if the test is performed incorrectly.
Are cleared by the FDA for home use.
Conduct testing that is considered non-technical requiring little or no difficulty.

Requirements for Laboratories Performing Only Waived Tests:

CLIA Certificate of Waiver renewed every 2 years.
Follow manufacturer's instructions and document tests performed.
Waived laboratories are not inspected except on a random basis for the CLIA program.
There are no requirements for directors of waived laboratories.
Submit a new Federal CLIA application (FORM CMS-116) for:
Written notification of changes (always provide the CLIA ID number):
Initial Application
Reinstatement Application if there is a gap in service
Change in name of the Laboratory.
Change in address, whether street address or mailing address
Change in telephone or fax number
Change in Ownership
Change in Tax ID
Reinstatement if there is no gap in service (please call our office if you are unsure if there is a gap)
Change in accreditation organization
Voluntary closure/termination NOTE: A Form CMS-116 can be submitted when written notification is required. If the CMS-116 is used in lieu of written notification, it must be completed in it entirety to be accepted. Written notification includes email, fax or hard copy letter.

Waived Laboratories