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Proficiency Testing
The NIST Office of Weights and Measures proficiency testing program is limited in scope to only those calibration laboratories who participate in our U.S. Regional Measurement Assurance Program and conducts proficiency tests only in mass calibration, volume calibration and length (steel tapes and rules) calibration. (Ref. NISTIR 7214, sections 1.0 & 1.6.) In addition to the program publications posted below, you can read more about our program operations in this paper, which was published in the NCSL International, Metrologist, June 2012.
OWM PT Policy & Quality System
OWM is moving toward better compliance with the latest versions of ISO/IEC 17043 and ISO 13528 documents. Draft PT program documents are posted below for review by OWM Proficiency Testing program participants. Please use this Comment Form and submit all comments to micheal.hicks [at] nist.gov (Micheal Hicks) by October 15, 2023. Review date may be extended if needed, by request.
- NISTIR 7214 "Weights and Measures Division Quality Manual For Proficiency Testing and Interlaboratory Comparisons"
- Revision Date: March, 2005 - DOC PDF
- 2023 Draft - PDF
- Appendix B: PT Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 1 for OWM PT Planning, Operating, Analyzing, and Reporting of PT Results
- Appendix C: PT Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 2 for Conducting a Mini Measurement Assurance Program
- Appendix D: Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Form for PT Follow-Up; New Form
- Follow Up Form DOC
- Appendix E:
- Appendix F: OWM PT Standard Administrative Procedures
- SAP 1: Document and Record Management for PT Program PDF
- SAP 1, Appendix Master Document List for OWM PT Program PDF
- SAP 2: Handling PT-Related Action Items PDF
- SAP 3: Supplier Evaluation for PT Supplies and Calibration Services PDF
- SAP 4: PT Program Audits and Reviews PDF
- SAP 5: Handling PT Related Collusion, Falsification, and Participant Operational Failures PDF
- Appendix G: OWM PT Program Forms PDF
- Form 1: OWM PT Feedback and Inquiry and Complaint Form DOCX
- Form 2: OWM PT Participation Request – Training/Qualification Form DOCX
- Form 3. RMAP Associate Membership Application DOCX
- Form 4. OWM PT Action Form DOCX
- Form 5. OWM PT Program Internal Audit Form (not posted due to copyright limitations)
- Form 6: OWM PT Program Management Review Outline DOCX
- Form 7: Examples of Proficiency Test 4-Year Plan and History/Log DOCX
Tools and Resources
- PT Plan - EXCEL UPDATED
- PT Analysis Template - EXCEL UPDATED
- PT Analysis Template YOUDEN - EXCEL UPDATED