Apply for NVLAP Accreditation

Overview

A laboratory may apply for accreditation in any of the NVLAP Accreditation Programs listed on this page. Accreditation is available to public and private testing and calibration laboratories, including commercial laboratories; manufacturers' in-house laboratories; university laboratories; and federal, state, and local government laboratories. A laboratory located outside the United States may be accredited if it meets the same requirements as domestic laboratories and pays the additional expenses associated with the on-site assessment.

Information required to complete the application process includes general information about the laboratory, contact information, management system documentation, requested scope of accreditation, and payment information. An applicant laboratory must designate an Authorized Representative to commit the laboratory to fulfill the NVLAP Conditions for Accreditation (see NIST Handbook 150, Annex C).

Requirements documents

Each applicant should thoroughly review the NVLAP accreditation requirements in NIST Handbook 150:2020, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements before applying for accreditation. NIST Handbook 150 presents the basic procedures under which NVLAP operates and the general requirements for accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories.

Applicants seeking additional information regarding the NVLAP accreditation process are encouraged to review Sections 3.1 through 3.6 of NVLAP Handbook 150, which provide an overview of the accreditation process, including application, assessment, accreditation decisions, and ongoing accreditation requirements.

Applicants should also review the applicable program-specific NVLAP handbooks, as these documents contain procedures and technical requirements that are reviewed during the assessment process. The program-specific handbooks, together with the corresponding checklists, which are in the NVLAP Interactive Web System (NIWS), serve as the primary resources used by assessors and program managers to determine compliance with NVLAP’s accreditation requirements.

How to apply

In just a few steps, a new applicant laboratory can begin the application process using the NVLAP Interactive Web System (NIWS) — the web-based application used by laboratories to submit their applications and transact other business electronically.

To begin:

1. Complete the interactive fillable General Application Form by entering the requested information in each highlighted box or field. 
    
2. To save the form, you must have the latest version of the Adobe Reader software installed on your computer. This software is freely available from the Adobe Reader website.*
   
   The laboratory's Authorized Representative (AR) must sign on page 4 to attest that the information in the application is correct and to commit the laboratory to fulfill the Conditions for Accreditation.
    
3. Send the completed General Application Form to nvlap [at] nist.gov (nvlap[at]nist[dot]gov) and remit the applicable initial Application Fee based on the payment method selected.
    
4. Upon receipt of the signed form and the application fee, NVLAP will create an account for the AR and email an acknowledgment which contains the link to the NIWS, and instructions for completing the remaining application steps through the NIWS.
    
5. NVLAP has implemented Login.gov to strengthen the confidentiality and security of the NIWS. For instructions on how to register for Login.gov, click here.

NVLAP appreciates your feedback as we roll out new and improved services. For assistance, contact NVLAP by phone at (301) 975-4016 or email at nvlap [at] nist.gov (nvlap[at]nist[dot]gov).

* SOFTWARE IS IDENTIFIED IN ORDER TO ASSIST USERS OF THIS INFORMATION SERVICE. IN NO CASE DOES SUCH IDENTIFICATION IMPLY RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY.