The Public Health Laboratories maintain certifications of approval from federal and state agencies to perform laboratory analyses for samples and/or specimens over which they have regulatory authority. Certifications are maintained through satisfactory annual or biennial inspections of laboratory facilities by the appropriate agencies and by the laboratories' satisfactory performance on proficiency samples.

Microbiological Certification

The laboratories maintain certification by the New York State Department of Health, which has deemed status from CLIA. The laboratories participate in the proficiency certification program of the College of American Pathologist (CAP) in the categories of bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, syphilis serology and viral serology. Thus the laboratories maintain certification in these categories from CAP. The laboratories must maintain the certification from the state Department of Health to be able to perform diagnostic testing on patient specimens. The certification includes on-site inspections and proficiency testing in each category mentioned below.

Certifications:

• Bacteriology (General)
• Mycobateriology (General S)
• Mycology (General)
• Parasitology
• HIV (Comprehensive A)
• Diagnostic Immunity
• Virology (General)
  
  

Environmental Certification

The laboratory maintains certificates of approval from New York, Connecticut, and Florida.  The environmental laboratory also maintains its certification in the New York State Shellfish Sanitation Program for the monitoring of shellfish beds in the Long Island Sound.

Certifications:

• National Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (NELAP)
• NYS Department of Health Environmental Laboratory Approval Program ELAP for Drinking water
• Water
• Solid and Hazardous Waste
• Air and Emission
• Contract Laboratory Protocol
• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
• NYS Shelfish Program
• USEPA water supply/water pollution - Connecticut
• USEPA information Collection Rule

Forensic Science Certification
In 1991 the Westchester County Forensic Science Laboratory became the first full-service forensic laboratory in the northeast to gain accreditation by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors – Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB).

Forensic Toxicology Certification
Forensic Toxicology maintains certifications from the American Board of Forensic Toxicology and the American Society of Crime Lab Directors- Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD-LAB) Legacy program.