COLA Accreditation
The most effective way to stay in compliance
Enroll With COLA Today!Â
Already a customer? Log in here
COLA Accreditation
The most effective way to stay in compliance
Enroll With COLA Today!
Already a customer? Log in here.
We help clinical laboratories provide the best patient care by ensuring that you not only meet federal CLIA and state requirements, but also benefit from our educational services.Â
Why COLA Inc.?
Each step in the accreditation process is an opportunity to gather the information you need to continuously improve quality in your laboratory. Along the way, we provide tools that will help you document and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.Â
COLA operates its accreditation program in accordance with a quality management system certified to ISO 9001:2015. You can always count on COLA to provide a consistent survey experience every two years and across multiple laboratories in a system.
100,000+
On-site
Surveys
7,400+
Accredited
Laboratories
30+
Years of
Service
COLA is approved by CMS to accredit these CLIA Specialties
Chemistry
Hematology
Microbiology
Immunology
Immuno-hematology
Pathology
We accredit laboratories in all types of facilities
Physicians
Office
Hospitals
Reference
Laboratories
Health Systems
Independent
Pathology
Laboratories
Cytology
Laboratories
Mohs Surgery
Centers
Surgery Centers
EMS & Mobile
Laboratories
Rural Health
Clinics
Plasma
Centers
Long Term
Care
Physicians
Office
Hospitals
Reference
Laboratories
Health Systems
Independent
Pathology
Laboratories
Cytology
Laboratories
Surgery Centers
Rural Health
Clinics
Mohs Surgery
Centers
EMS & Mobile
Laboratories
Plasma
Centers
Long Term
Care
Physicians
Office
Hospitals
Reference
Laboratories
Health Systems
Independent
Pathology
Laboratories
Cytology
Laboratories
Surgery Centers
Rural Health
Clinics
Mohs Surgery
Centers
Long Term
Care
Plasma
Centers
EMS & Mobile
Laboratories
COLA Has Expertise in Specialized Testing
Mass Spectrometry
Molecular Diagnostics
Digital Pathology
Transfusion Services
COLA has been approved to deem laboratories in California compliant with the state requirements.
![newCOLAcentral-1[76]](https://www.cola.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/newCOLAcentral-176.png)
As a COLA customer, you have the benefit of monitoring your accreditation status and accessing valuable educational content through our online customer portal.Â
How Our Process Works
Enrollment
When your laboratory joins COLA, you receive instructions on how to download our Accreditation Manual and a detailed information packet to help you prepare for COLA accreditation.Â
Use COLAcentral, our online customer portal, to communicate with us and monitor your accreditation status. Through COLAcentral you can access our many educational tools.
1
Self Assessment
Your laboratory may conduct a Self-Assessment and submit the information to COLA. Use your results and feedback to make any corrective actions needed in preparation for the on-site survey.
2
On Site Survey
Depending upon the size and complexity of your laboratory, a COLA Surveyor or Survey Team will visit your laboratory. We utilize an educational approach throughout our visit and preliminary survey findings are shared with you and your staff at the conclusion of the survey.
3
Post Survey &
Corrective Action
COLA experts carefully analyze the survey findings before finalizing your survey report. If non-compliant criteria are identified you will need to develop and implement a corrective action plan and submit appropriate documentation as required. During this process, technical support is available to you at no additional cost.
4
Accreditation
Your laboratory receives the COLA Accreditation Certificate for your two-year cycle. COLA follows your laboratory performance on a continuing basis, including monitoring proficiency testing.
COLA Technical Advisors help laboratories work to achieve a culture of quality throughout the two-year survey cycle.
5
How Our Process Works
1
Enrollment
When your laboratory joins COLA, you receive instructions on how to download our Accreditation Manual and a detailed information packet to help you prepare for COLA accreditation.Â
Use COLAcentral, our online customer portal, to communicate with us and monitor your accreditation status. Through COLAcentral you can access our many educational tools.
2
Self Assessment
Your laboratory may conduct a Self-Assessment and submit the information to COLA. Use your results and feedback to make any corrective actions needed in preparation for the on-site survey.
3
Onsite Survey
Depending upon the size and complexity of your laboratory, a COLA Surveyor or Survey Team will visit your laboratory. We utilize an educational approach throughout our visit and preliminary survey findings are shared with you and your staff at the conclusion of the survey.
4
Post Survey & Corrective Action
COLA experts carefully analyze the survey findings before finalizing your survey report. If non-compliant criteria are identified you will need to develop and implement a corrective action plan and submit appropriate documentation as required. During this process, technical support is available to you at no additional cost. Â
5
Accreditation
Your laboratory receives the COLA Accreditation Certificate for your two-year cycle. COLA follows your laboratory performance on a continuing basis, including monitoring proficiency testing.
COLA Technical Advisors help laboratories work to achieve a culture of quality throughout the two-year survey cycle.
Stay Informed!
Stay informed about the latest regulatory announcements, upcoming events, trending accreditation news and other laboratory topics.