At a glance
Find training and resources supporting clinical and public health laboratories in outbreak response and biosafety preparedness.
Overview
More than 330,000 laboratories in the United States are certified through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA). Certified laboratories are on the front line of patient care and emergency response. The Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS) partners with clinical and public health laboratories to support outbreak response and preparedness with training, tools, and resources.
Biosafety
Biothreat preparedness
Communication and outreach
- Learn about CDC's Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) and find recent messages.
- Get participant information and more for CDC's regular LOCS calls.
Clinical laboratory fundamentals
Laboratory managers, laboratory professionals, and healthcare workers can maintain their laboratory skills with free online CDC training courses. Each course offers professional credits, such as P.A.C.E.®
COVID-19
DLS collaborates with colleagues across CDC to ensure the latest Information for Laboratories about Coronavirus (COVID-19) is available and accessible. Stay informed with CDC's Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) for laboratories, including:
- General testing and regulatory requirements
- Testing strategies
- Anatomic pathology
- Specimen handling
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
- Get details on CDC's open call to industry for the development and validation of influenza A(H5) diagnostic tests.
- Access guidance for laboratory personnel on patient testing and specimen collection for novel influenza A viruses.
- Review biosafety guidelines for handling and processing specimens associated with novel influenza A viruses.
- Find testing guidance for how commercial laboratories can submit positive specimens to enhance influenza surveillance.
Testing, data, and informatics
Contact us
Please email DLSInquiries@cdc.gov and use "Laboratory Preparedness and Response" in the subject line.