First-time application
If your lab is interested in receiving Washington state accreditation as an environmental laboratory, or if your lab wants to resume accreditation after leaving the program, this guidance is for you.
Applying for laboratory accreditation
Washington state rules require that all environmental labs must apply using our application, whether or not a lab is already accredited in another state or country or with another accrediting body. We do not have automatic reciprocity with other accreditors. That said, some elements of the process can be streamlined for labs already accredited by a third-party accreditor. See Section 8 of the application, Third-party Accreditation, for more details.
About our application form
The laboratory accreditation application is 22 pages long, downloadable as a fillable PDF or Word file. Thirteen of these pages are in Section 6, parameters, the lists of analytes and methods. If you need accreditation for an item not on the lists, you can send us an addendum listing additional requests. See also Methods for emerging contaminants for information on newer methods.
All applicants will need to fill out the following sections:
- 1 – General Information
- 3 – List of PT studies conducted within the past 12 months,
- 5A – Laboratory Function
- 6 – Parameters
- 7 – Personnel and Equipment
Third-party applicants, those who are requesting recognition of another accreditation, must also fill out section 8.
Note that this form and accompanying published guidance, the Lab Accreditation Procedure Manual, are in the process of being updated in light of recent rulemaking updates to WAC 173-50, the environmental lab accreditation rule. Ask the Lab Accreditation Supervisor or your auditor, when assigned, if you have questions.
The application process
Send all application materials electronically, including:
- A completed application.
- Your lab's quality assurance manual.
Initial review
When we receive your application, the lab accreditation supervisor will review it for completeness and suitability. Since this initial review will confirm which proficiency tests you will need, it's best to wait until your application is accepted before ordering new PTs.
Once your application is accepted, we will invoice your $300 application fee. Our accreditation fees page has more information about our complete fee structure.
Technical review and audit
When we receive your application fee, you will be assigned an auditor, and they will begin a technical review. Your auditor will access your application file and let you know what other documentation you will need to provide.
Please request that your approved proficiency testing (PT) study provider send us the results of all appropriate PT studies. Do not send us your copies — PT study results should come directly from the provider.
An on-site audit is required, whether from us or by an approved third party. If we are accrediting your lab directly, we will need to conduct an audit. For third-party accrediation, we will review your recent audit from your primary accrediting authority.
The Washington audit
Our Washington environmental laboratory accredtiation audit includes interviews with laboratory staff and reviews of:
- Quality Assurance Manual
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Equipment
- Reagents and standards
- Benchsheets and logs
- Instrument data, including calibration curves and tune
- Calculations
- Data management
- Data reports
- Training records
Your auditor will explain their findings in an exit meeting at the end of the audit. We will issue your audit report at a later date. This report will describe the scope of the audit, findings, and any actions required in response. It may also include recommendations for continuous improvement.
If findings indicate that your lab should not be accredited at this time, your lab will be advised of next steps.
At the conclusion of a successful audit, your auditor will make preparations for the issuance of your accreditation documents.
Accreditation fees
Once the technical review is complete, and all accreditation documents have been issued, we will invoice your accreditation fee based on the number and type of parameters for which you are applying to be accredited.
Prepare for renewal
Accreditation must be renewed each year, and it's best to prepare for your annual renewal well in advance.
Renewing accreditation can help you to get ready for next year.
Contact information
Louise White
Administrative Specialist
louise.white@ecy.wa.gov
360-227-9420