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 more than thirty–five years, we have refined our unique educationally–focused accreditation experience resulting in a consistent 98% customer satisfaction rate.   Accreditation is our core business.   Promoting health and safety is our mission. Guiding professionals to achieve their vision for laboratory excellence is our passion.  

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.

DNV and CIHQ (Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality) are two CMS approved hospital accreditation organizations that share many of the COLA values, including a standardized and educational approach to assisting you with compliance challenges. DNV and CIHQ also welcome COLA laboratory accreditation in their accredited hospitals.

A list of all CMS-approved hospital accreditors can be found at Web List AO Contact List (cms.gov).

COLA is growing and expanding! In 2026 COLA received deemed status from CMS for the additional specialties of Cytogenetics and Radiobioassay.

COLA is now authorized to evaluate laboratories based on the requirements of the ISO 15189 standard. Get more information here.

 COLA is now a Supporting Partner of the ASCP Leading Laboratories program. This program creates a gold standard for laboratory recognition, validating excellence in quality and patient outcomes. We are proud to support the laboratories that support patients! Learn how your laboratory can become the next Leading Laboratory here.