Malaria has a long history in the United States. Back in the mid-20th century, malaria posed a major threat to American lives, particularly in southern regions of the country. Through concerted efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the...
Promoting Health and Safety Through Accreditation and Education
Already a customer? Log in here
Promoting Health and Safety Through Accreditation and Education
Already a member? Login here
The 2024 Laboratory Enrichment Forum
The 2024 Laboratory Enrichment Forum is being held in Fort Walton Beach on Florida’s Emerald Coast on May 7-9, 2024. The Forum offers interactive sessions covering topics of Pathology, Laboratory Leadership, Quality and Emerging Trends. The sessions will provide practical tools to use in your laboratory, and continuing education credits are available for physicians and laboratorians. Don’t delay, register today.
Popular Courses
Laboratory Director Course
All Access – Waived Testing Toolkit
Administrative Access – Waived Testing Toolkit
Waived Testing – Best Practices for Quality Results
Implementing a Meaningful IQCP
Virtual Lecture Series
Overview of Moderate Complexity Regulatory Requirements
One of America’s Leading Laboratory Accreditors
As a leading physician-directed accrediting organization and the first to obtain federal approval under CLIA, we accredit laboratories of all types, sizes and complexities. For over thirty years, we have refined our unique educationally-focused accreditation experience. Year over year customers report 98% satisfaction.  Accreditation is our core business.  Promoting health and safety is our mission. Guiding professionals to achieve their vision for laboratory excellence is our passion.Â
COLA Accreditation
COLA continues to be a CMS-approved laboratory accreditation organization (AO). COLA’s latest reapproval from CMS, for the maximum six-year period, was announced in the Federal Register on March 6, 2024. Â
The Joint Commission (TJC) has discontinued the cooperative agreement with COLA for laboratory accreditation. TJC is the only hospital accreditor that restricts options for laboratory accreditation. TJC-accredited hospitals who use COLA for their laboratory accreditation do have other choices, however, for hospital accreditation.  Â
There are many synergies between COLA and both DNV and CIHQ (Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality). These two CMS approved hospital accreditation organizations share many of the COLA values, including a standardized and educational approach to assisting you with compliance challenges. And both welcome COLA laboratory accreditation in their accredited hospitals.  Â
A list of l all CMS-approved hospital accreditors can be found at Web List AO Contact List (cms.gov).Â
Future Events
The 2025 Laboratory Enrichment Forum
May 6-8, 2025
Stay Informed!
Stay informed about the latest regulatory announcements, upcoming events, trending accreditation news and other laboratory topics.
One of America’s Leading Laboratory Accreditors
As a leading physician-directed accrediting organization and the first to obtain federal approval under CLIA, we accredit laboratories of all types, sizes and complexities. For over thirty years, we have refined our unique educationally-focused accreditation experience. Year over year customers report 98% satisfaction.  Accreditation is our core business.  Promoting health and safety is our mission. Guiding professionals to achieve their vision for laboratory excellence is our passion.Â
COLA Accreditation
COLA continues to be a CMS-approved laboratory accreditation organization (AO). COLA’s latest reapproval from CMS, for the maximum six-year period, was announced in the Federal Register on March 6, 2024. Â
The Joint Commission (TJC) has discontinued the cooperative agreement with COLA for laboratory accreditation. TJC is the only hospital accreditor that restricts options for laboratory accreditation. TJC-accredited hospitals who use COLA for their laboratory accreditation do have other choices, however, for hospital accreditation.  Â
There are many synergies between COLA and both DNV and CIHQ (Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality). These two CMS approved hospital accreditation organizations share many of the COLA values, including a standardized and educational approach to assisting you with compliance challenges. And both welcome COLA laboratory accreditation in their accredited hospitals.  Â
A list of l all CMS-approved hospital accreditors can be found at Web List AO Contact List (cms.gov). Â
Future Events
The 2025 Laboratory Enrichment Forum
May 6-8, 2025
Stay Informed!
Stay informed about the latest regulatory announcements, upcoming events, trending accreditation news and other laboratory topics.
The 2024 Laboratory Enrichment Forum
The 2024 Laboratory Enrichment Forum is being held in Fort Walton Beach on Florida’s Emerald Coast on May 7-9, 2024. The Forum offers interactive sessions covering topics of Pathology, Laboratory Leadership, Quality and Emerging Trends. The sessions will provide practical tools to use in your laboratory, and continuing education credits are available for physicians and laboratorians. Don’t delay, register today.
Popular Courses
Laboratory Director Course
All Access – Waived Testing Toolkit
Administrative Access – Waived Testing Toolkit
Waived Testing – Best Practices for Quality Results
Implementing a Meaningful IQCP
Virtual Lecture Series
Featured News & Events
Share Your Gem Story
We’d like to hear your hidden gem stories so that we can share them and reflect the laboratory’s light out into the world for all to appreciate. We will post and promote these stories on social media to spread the word about the critical importance of medical laboratory science.
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in 2024: A Salute to Unsung Heroes
As April showers us with its vibrant blooms, the healthcare sector and the public shine a spotlight on a crucial yet often underrecognized group—medical laboratory professionals. The 49th Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW), running from April 14-20, 2024, is...
COLA Secures Deeming Reapproval for Another Six Years in Pathology and Laboratory Accreditation
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted COLA, a leading...
Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH and Lee Fleisher, MD, to be Keynote Speakers for COLA’s Third Annual Laboratory Enrichment Forum
The COLA Laboratory Enrichment Forum offers a dynamic platform for professionals...
COLA Joins CDC Preparedness Effort
COLA is honored to be one of the signatories for the CDC’s Memorandum of Understanding...
A New Year Message From COLA
As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on the successes of the year and the possibilities...
Share Your Gem Story
We’d like to hear your hidden gem stories so that we can share them and reflect the laboratory’s light out into the world for all to appreciate. We will post and promote these stories on social media to spread the word about the critical importance of medical laboratory science.Â
Malaria Resurgence in the US: Understanding the Past and Preparing for the Future
Malaria has a long history in the United States. Back in the mid-20th century, malaria posed a major threat to American lives, particularly in southern regions of the country. Through concerted efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the...
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in 2024: A Salute to Unsung Heroes
As April showers us with its vibrant blooms, the healthcare sector and the public shine a spotlight on a crucial yet often underrecognized group—medical laboratory professionals. The 49th Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW), running from April 14-20, 2024, is...
COLA Secures Deeming Reapproval for Another Six Years in Pathology and Laboratory Accreditation
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted COLA, a leading...
Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH and Lee Fleisher, MD, to be Keynote Speakers for COLA’s Third Annual Laboratory Enrichment Forum
The COLA Laboratory Enrichment Forum offers a dynamic platform for professionals...
COLA Joins CDC Preparedness Effort
COLA is honored to be one of the signatories for the CDC’s Memorandum of Understanding...
A New Year Message From COLA
As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on the successes of the year and the possibilities...