Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) regulations include federal standards applicable to all U.S. facilities or sites that test human specimens for health assessment or to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease. CDC, in partnership with CMS and FDA , supports the CLIA program and clinical laboratory quality. Learn more about CLIA.

Find information about the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC), which is managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides scientific and technical advice and guidance to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Find links for answers to frequently asked questions on the CLIA Quick Tips page or email CMS directly.

Laboratories are on the frontline for protecting our communities’ health. CDC provides clinical and public health laboratories with training and technical assistance to help them achieve the highest-quality laboratory science while ensuring the safety of laboratory professionals and the communities where they work. Learn more about CDC’s laboratory quality efforts.