Gives recommended criteria and easily implemented processes for qualifying, selecting, and evaluating a referral laboratory.

The guideline can be used by referring laboratories seeking a broad spectrum of services, a limited number of esoteric examinations, or a possible backup service provider for examinations provided by the referring laboratory. This guideline is not meant as the only way to qualify, select, and evaluate referral laboratories; referring laboratories are free to modify the suggested criteria with the caveat not to delete criteria that reflect international, national, regional, local, or organizational requirements.