At a glance
Find educational materials and other helpful resources for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Certificate for Provider-Performed Microscopy (PPM) procedures.
Background
CLIA regulates U.S. facilities that perform lab tests on human specimens for health assessment, disease diagnosis, prevention, or treatment. A CLIA Certificate for PPM procedures permits physicians and midlevel practitioners to conduct a limited range of moderate complexity microscopic tests. It also allows for the performance of waived tests during a patient’s visit.
Overview of PPM procedures
PPM procedures are moderately complex microscopic tests that do not qualify for waiver because they are not simple procedures. They require training and specific skills for test performance and must meet certain other criteria. Controls are generally not available to monitor the complete testing process for these procedures. Therefore, only limited activities are suitable for inspection.
The laboratory or testing site performing PPM procedures is not subject to routine biennial inspections. However, a CLIA certificate is required. The laboratory or testing site must meet the CLIA quality standards for moderate complexity testing.
Educational materials
The CLIA and PPM Procedures: An Introduction eLearning course prepares physicians, midlevel providers, dentists, and others. It helps them meet requirements for PPM procedures under a CLIA PPMP certificate.
The Provider-Performed Microscopy Procedures booklet describes recommended practices for those who perform patient testing under a CLIA Certificate for PPM procedures. Examples include physicians, midlevel practitioners, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, physician assistants, or dentists. The booklet contains an overview of:
- Regulatory requirements.
- Resources including forms and examples.
- Common microscopic findings for the nine specific microscopic examinations that may be performed under a Certificate of PPM Procedures, including images.