The College of American Pathologists (CAP) periodically releases new editions of its Laboratory Accreditation Program checklists. CAP inspectors use the checklists during inspections to ensure laboratories comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and achieve accreditation. The CMS regulates all laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States (except research) through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
CAP is a CMS-approved accreditation organization deemed to have the authority to inspect laboratories under CLIA.
