NVLAP PROFICIENCY TESTING
Background
The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a series of laboratory accreditation programs (LAPs). Ionizing Radiation Dosimetry is part of the Dosimetry Field of Accreditation. Battelle under contract with the NIST, has provided the laboratory testing segment of the Ionizing Radiation Dosimetry accreditation program since 1986 for the wholebody testing and since 1995 for the extremity testing.
Capabilities
Battelle provides the sources, the exposures and the reports as described in ANS/HPS N13.11-2009 and HPS N13.32-2008 (modified by NIST Handbook 150). Battelle maintains NIST traceability of its sources and capabilities through NVLAP accreditation (Laboratory code: 105020-0).
Proficiency Testing Schedule
| Quarter | Registration Due* | Testing Months | Type of Testing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | October | Jan-Feb-Mar | Wholebody - Initial/Renewal/Retest |
| 2nd | January | Apr-May-Jun | Extremity & EPD - Initial/Renewal/Retest |
| 3rd | April | Jul-Aug-Sep | Wholebody - Initial/Renewal/Retest |
| 4th | July | Oct-Nov-Dec | Extremity & EPD - Initial/Renewal/Retest |
How to get started with Proficiency Testing
To get your proficiency testing process started, visit the NIST website to obtain instructions for applying for accreditation. The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (www.nist.gov/nvlap) page provides links to instructions, application forms, registration documents, NIST Handbooks and much more.
*We request that you provide PNNL a copy of your registration 3 months in advance of the start of your testing. This allows us time to receive the information from you that we need and provide you the information that you need from us, make sure there is a contract in place to conduct the work, etc. Once you have provided us a copy of your registration documents you will be in the queue to receive the quarter’s information and testing packet, approximately 1 month prior to the start of your testing. The information and testing packet contains the schedule of due dates for the testing quarter, shipping instructions, data reporting instructions and the barcode stickers required for submittal. Please contact us if you have any questions on scheduling or registration.