1.  What is Environmental Laboratory Licensure?

    Environmental laboratory licensure is designed to help protect the Public Health and
    Environment by surveying all licensed laboratories for compliance with all applicable
    regulations and reviewing their compliance testing data for scientific validity and
    defensibility.

    Back to Top

2.  Who should be licensed?

    Environmental laboratories that perform testing on compliance samples in drinking water,
    wastewater, hazardous waste and air are required to be licensed by the State of
    Arizona.  Compliance testing is defined in A.R.S. § 36-495.

    Back to Top

3.  Where can I find Arizona's environmental laboratory regulations?

    Regulations may be found on the Environmental Laboratory Licensure home page or by
    contacting the Secretary of State at (602) 542-4751 or http://www.azsos.gov. 
    Statutes may be found by visiting the Arizona State Legislature and looking at Title 36
    Chapter 4.3.

    Back to Top

4.  Does the State of Arizona accept reciprocity from other states?  from NELAC Institute?

    Arizona does not currently accept reciprocity from any state or organization that
    licenses environmental laboratories.  Laboratories that do not need an Arizona
    license are those that perform asbestos testing, except in drinking water, and are
    National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) accredited
    ( A.R.S. § 36-495.02(A)).

    Back to Top

5.  How do I apply for an Arizona laboratory license?

    An application, which may be found on the Environmental Laboratory Licensure home
    page or by contacting (602) 364-0728, must be completed and mailed to the following
    address with the application fee:

        Arizona Department of Health Services
        Office of Laboratory Services
        250 N. 17th Avenue
        Phoenix, AZ 85007-3231

    Back to Top

6.  Who do I contact if I have a change of ownership, director or facility name?

    Contact OLS at (602) 364-0728.  Laboratories should notify the
    office within 20 days of the date of change (A.R.S. § 36-495.03) by completing Part A
    of the application, notarizing and mailing it to the office.

    Back to Top

7.  Who do I contact if I have a change of address?

    Contact OLS at (602) 364-0728 or norcopt@azdhs.gov.  Licenses are issued for the
    physical location of the laboratory (A.R.S. § 36-495.03).  When a laboratory moves, the
    laboratory must submit a completed application with applicable fees.  The laboratory will
    be assigned a new license number and new license dates.

    Back to Top

8.  How can I find out which laboratories are licensed?

    Individuals can contact OLS at (602) 364-0728 or email norcopt@azdhs.gov
    for a list of laboratories licensed by Arizona or may use the links provided in #9 below.  
    Examples of lists include for all licensed laboratories, licensed for drinking water, 
    for a specific method (300.0), or for a specific analyte (chloride).

    Back to Top

9.  Is the list of licensed laboratories available on the web?

Yes.  There are three search options for licensed laboratories available on the web.  Explanations of each option are provided next to the link.  The information is refreshed every 24 hours.  Additional questions or information may be obtained by contacting OLS at (602) 364-0728 or email norcopt@azdhs.gov.

Safe Drinking Water Commercial Laboratory List - A list of commercial laboratories licensed in Arizona to test drinking water samples for businesses and private citizens.

Safe Drinking Water Commercial Lab List with Parameters- A list of commercial laboratories licensed in Arizona to test drinking water samples for businesses and private citizens and the option to select a laboratory's list of licensed parameters (i.e. analytes and methods licensed for).

Arizona List of Licensed Laboratories with Parameters - A list of all laboratories licensed by the state of Arizona for testing of drinking water, wastewater, solid waste and air.

    Back to Top

10.  What do I need for a director approval request?

Director approval requests per ADHS rule A.A.C. R9-14-610.C.1 or as listed in Part E, Section 2 of the application.  The basic information that would be required is as follows:

1. The name, address, and telephone number of the licensee submitting the request.

2. The name, address, and telephone number of the laboratory for which approval  if the alternate method or method alteration is requested

3. Identification of the parameter for which approval of the alternate method or method alteration is requested

4. Reference to the EPA, ADEQ, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or A.A.C. requirement or authorization for the use of the alternate method or method alteration for which approval is requested

5. An alternate method or method alteration approval fee of $50 payable to the Arizona Department of Health Services in the form of a certified check, business check, money order, or credit card payment.

The director approval process will be assisted by having a letter requesting director approval that includes an attachment of the referenced method and the documentation (EPA letter or Federal Register) showing that the EPA/ADEQ or FDA approved the method for the intended use.

In order to be certified for the director approved method, the laboratory will need to provide a current SOP, acceptable proficiency study, where applicable, and IDOC summary (e.g. MDL), where applicable.

    Back to Top