About Us

The Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS) advances the quality and safety of clinical and public health laboratory testing and operations nationwide. DLS works in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration by providing scientific and technical expertise for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program.

DLS enhances laboratory information technology systems, laboratory preparedness, and repository science. In addition to developing guidance and training for improved laboratory informatics, DLS promotes public-private partnerships across the U.S. clinical laboratory community. DLS also operates the CDC and ATSDR Specimen Packaging, Inventory, and Repository (CASPIR)—CDC’s centralized specimen biorepository—which preserves valuable specimen collections so they can be used to advance future medical research and support future emergency responses.

DLS provides exemplary leadership and support to the clinical and public health laboratory workforce through training and implementation of the Competency Guidelines for Public Health Laboratory Professionals. The goal of training and workforce development is to advance the knowledge, competency, reliability, and sustainability of the clinical and public health laboratory workforce nationwide.