Key points
- The CDC Infectious Diseases Laboratories offer various services for laboratory testing.
- CDC only offers tests that are in the current Test Directory.
- See below for the Test Directory and tests that are currently unavailable.
About
CDC's Infectious Diseases (ID) Laboratories accept specimens from State Public Health Laboratories (SPHLs) and other federal agencies for analysis. Specimens from private healthcare providers and institutions should be submitted to the local state health department laboratory (state, county, city) for appropriate processing. The searchable Test Directory features an up-to-date list of orderable tests and provides information on specimen requirements, contact information, test turnaround times, and other supplemental information. Specimens submitted for testing must be accompanied by CDC Specimen Submission Form 50.34.
Infectious Diseases Laboratory Test Directory
Access the Test Directory here or while completing a Specimen Submission Form. You may also download a copy [PDF – 617 pages] of the entire Test Directory. Effective November 4th, 2024, an updated directory is available. View the list of major changes from the last update here [PDF – 12 pages].
Questions about the detailed information in a test order should be addressed to the contact person listed for that test order. Contact the Infectious Diseases Specimen Submission (IDSS) help desk for questions about submitting specimens to CDC, including using the Test Directory.
- CDC_ID_lab_info@cdc.gov
- 1-855-612-7575 (toll free)
The IDSS help desk hours of operation are: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; closed on federal holidays.
Currently unavailable test orders
General Test Directory information
- Submitters can only order tests contained in the current Test Directory. Submitters may view the most current list of available tests by visiting the Test Directory site.
- A test order name may encompass a single test or a panel of multiple tests. To find out what tests may be performed to complete the order, contact the CDC points of contact (POCs). The CDC POCs are listed on the bottom of each test order.
- The CDC 50.34 Specimen Submission Form in the directory is updated concurrently for additions and/or deletions to test orders. However, there are special cases where additions and/or deletions are incorporated outside of a scheduled update. Edits to current test orders are made on a more routine basis, as necessary. Use the corresponding version number for each test order to identify changes. The full downloadable Test Directory catalog is also regularly updated.