CDC Division of Laboratory Systems Update | March 2026

[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

The DLS eNewsletter from CDC’s Division of Laboratory Systems is a monthly summary of events, trainings, and other resources that clinical and public health laboratory professionals can use to connect with the division and benefit from our work. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to your colleagues or invite them to subscribe here by typing "Laboratory Systems" in the Search field. Get Ready to Celebrate: Lab Week Begins April 19!

The 51st annual observance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (Lab Week) is almost here! The 2026 observance will be celebrated from April 19 – 25. Lab Week is sponsored by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) and is coordinated by 18 national clinical laboratory organizations. Stay tuned for more next month! Expand Your Laboratory Skills with a New OneLab™ Microbiology Course Learn more about basic culture media and the techniques for identifying microorganisms by taking the new OneLab™ eLearning course on Basic Culture Media and Isolation Techniques. In this course, you’ll learn how to inoculate media using a four-quadrant streaking procedure and recognize common problems that occur when performing microbiological culture techniques. See the course description for details on continuing education. Register for Microbiology Curriculum: Basic Culture Media and Isolation Techniques at One Lab REACH™! To Test or Not to Test? This Booklet Helps You Decide! Laboratory facilities in the United States are regulated under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA). This includes testing sites that conduct waived tests. To Test or Not to Test? outlines considerations and preparations for performing waived tests and provides guidance for those implementing or overseeing testing under a CLIA Certificate of Waiver. This PDF booklet contains tips, reminders, and resources, including forms and examples for use at your testing site. Find out more about Waived Tests | Laboratory Quality | CDC! CLIA Notifications, Fee Coupons, and Certificates Are Now Digital The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has now completed its transition to a paperless system for CLIA fee coupons and certificates. CMS will no longer mail CLIA certificates or paper fee coupons and will not accept paper checks for payment. Laboratories must have a valid email address on file to receive electronic CLIA certificates, fee coupons, and other important CMS communications. Note: This doesn’t apply to CLIA-exempt states or state licensure. Need help setting up paperless notifications? Contact your State Agency or Accreditation Organization (for accredited laboratories). Refer to the FAQs about the Transition to Paperless, which provide key information to support your laboratory following the transition. Visit the CLIA website for more information. Subscribe to Laboratory Outreach Communication System Emails  CDC’s Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) provides timely information to the laboratory and testing community. Topics include laboratory preparedness and response, point-of-care testing, specimen collection, antigen testing, biosafety, laboratory data reporting, and regulatory requirements, as well as training and other resources to support your work. Click here to opt in now. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)   TTY: 888-232-6348 Questions or Problems  |  Unsubscribe