Section 1286.170  Certification of Laboratories and Laboratory Technicians

The Director or his/her designee is authorized to certify laboratories and laboratory technicians subject to the requirements of this Section.

a)         Only laboratories that employ technicians who work under the supervision of a pathologist, toxicologist, or other person who has at least five years experience in the specialty of analytical chemistry may be deemed qualified to detect and/or quantitate alcohol and/or other drugs in human biological fluids will be certified by the Department.  The Laboratory Director shall be responsible for the accuracy of all laboratory testing performed in the laboratory.  The following conditions must be met by laboratories:

1)         Prior to initial laboratory certification, and at least biannually thereafter, the Department shall request the demonstration of proficiency in the performance of the tests by the laboratory through the satisfactory examination of specimens by participation in a program of proficiency testing conducted by an agency or agencies approved by the Department.

A)        The Laboratory Director will advise the Department of the proficiency testing program in which it is participating.

B)        The laboratory will direct the proficiency testing agency to forward a copy of the laboratory's testing results and evaluations to the Department after each testing cycle.

2)         A candidate for certification under this Part shall furnish evidence of competent supervision by a person who meets the qualifications set forth in this Section.

b)         Upon evidence that a laboratory has complied with this Section, a letter of certification listing those technicians certified to perform appropriate tests shall be issued, and such certification shall be valid for three calendar years.  It may be renewed upon submission by the holder of the certification of evidence that the laboratory continues to perform analyses for alcohol concentration and/or other drug content on human biological fluids under the supervision of a person meeting the qualifications set forth in this Section and upon the Department's determination that the laboratory is complying with subsection (a)(1) of this Section. 

(Source:  Amended at 33 Ill. Reg. 8529, effective June 4, 2009)