Standard: Inspection of CLIA-exempt laboratories or laboratories requesting or issued a certificate of accreditation.

(a) Validation inspection. CMS or a CMS agent may conduct a validation inspection of any accredited or CLIA-exempt laboratory at any time during its hours of operation. (b) Complaint inspection. CMS or a CMS agent may conduct a complaint inspection of a CLIA-exempt laboratory or a laboratory requesting or issued a certificate of accreditation at any time during its hours of operation upon receiving a complaint applicable to the requirements of this part. (c) Noncompliance determination. If a validation or complaint inspection results in a finding that the laboratory is not in compliance with one or more condition-level requirements, the following actions occur: (1) A laboratory issued a certificate of accreditation is subject to a full review by CMS, in accordance with subpart E of this part and § 488.11 of this chapter. (2) A CLIA-exempt laboratory is subject to appropriate enforcement actions under the approved State licensure program. (d) Compliance with basic inspection requirements. CLIA-exempt laboratories and laboratories requesting or issued a certificate of accreditation must comply with the basic inspection requirements in § 493.1773. [63 FR 26738, May 14, 1998]