--- title: COLA Accreditation for Emergency Medical Services description: Over 30 years as a deemed CLIA accreditation organization, extensive experience with POC testing and mobile units uniquely positions COLA to service the EMS segment. --- Contact Us: 1-800-981-9883 [![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground](https://education.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground.png?width=250&height=91&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground.png)](https://www.cola.org/)   - Services - [Accreditation](https://www.cola.org/accreditation/) - [FDA Services](https://www.cola.org/fda-services/) - [Apply to COLA](https://www.cola.org/apply-for-cola-accreditation/) - Training & Development - [COLA Academy](https://www.cola.org/training-development/) - [Courses](https://www.cola.org/training-development/course-catalogue/) - [News & Articles](https://www.cola.org/training-development/news-articles/) - [Training Resources](https://www.cola.org/training-development/cola-primers-notes/) - [COLA's inSights](https://www.cola.org/training-development/colas-insights/) - [Laboratory Watch](https://www.cola.org/laboratorywatch/) - [Laboratory Enrichment Forum](https://web.cvent.com/event/adda1408-3a03-4505-8b38-51fbd3fff3f4/summary) - [Talk Lab to Me](https://education.cola.org/talk-lab-to-me) - [Workforce Action Alliance](https://www.cola.org/workforce-action-alliance/) - About - [Who We Are](https://www.cola.org/about/) - [Meet The Board](https://www.cola.org/about/board-of-directors) - [Meet The Executive Team](https://www.cola.org/about/executive-team/) - [Meet The Team](https://www.cola.org/about/meet-the-team/) - [Scholarship Program](https://www.cola.org/about/gb365/) - [Contact](https://www.cola.org/contact/) [![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground](https://education.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground.png?width=3843&height=1397&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground.png)](http://www.cola.org/) - Services - [Accreditation](https://www.cola.org/accreditation/) - [FDA Services](https://www.cola.org/fda-services/) - [Apply to COLA](https://www.cola.org/apply-for-cola-accreditation/) - Training & Development - [COLA Academy](https://www.cola.org/training-development/) - [Courses](https://www.cola.org/training-development/course-catalogue/) - [News & Articles](https://www.cola.org/training-development/news-articles/) - [Training Resources](https://www.cola.org/training-development/cola-primers-notes/) - [COLA's inSights](https://www.cola.org/training-development/colas-insights/) - [Laboratory Watch](https://www.cola.org/laboratorywatch/) - [Laboratory Enrichment Forum](https://web.cvent.com/event/adda1408-3a03-4505-8b38-51fbd3fff3f4/summary) - [Talk Lab to Me](https://education.cola.org/talk-lab-to-me) - [Workforce Action Alliance](https://www.cola.org/workforce-action-alliance/) - About - [Who We Are](https://www.cola.org/about/) - [Meet The Board](https://www.cola.org/about/board-of-directors) - [Meet The Executive Team](https://www.cola.org/about/executive-team/) - [Meet The Team](https://www.cola.org/about/meet-the-team/) - [Scholarship Program](https://www.cola.org/about/gb365/) - [Contact](https://www.cola.org/contact/) [![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1](https://education.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png?width=207&height=75&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png)](http://www.cola.org/) - Services - [Accreditation](https://www.cola.org/accreditation/) - [FDA Services](https://www.cola.org/fda-services/) - [Apply to COLA](https://www.cola.org/apply-for-cola-accreditation/) - Training & Development - [COLA Academy](https://www.cola.org/training-development/) - [Courses](https://www.cola.org/training-development/course-catalogue/) - [News & Articles](https://www.cola.org/training-development/news-articles/) - [Training Resources](https://www.cola.org/training-development/cola-primers-notes/) - [COLA's inSights](https://www.cola.org/training-development/colas-insights/) - [Laboratory Watch](https://www.cola.org/laboratorywatch/) - [Laboratory Enrichment Forum](https://web.cvent.com/event/adda1408-3a03-4505-8b38-51fbd3fff3f4/summary) - [Talk Lab to Me](https://education.cola.org/talk-lab-to-me) - [Workforce Action Alliance](https://www.cola.org/workforce-action-alliance/) - About - [Who We Are](https://www.cola.org/about/) - [Meet The Board](https://www.cola.org/about/board-of-directors) - [Meet The Executive Team](https://www.cola.org/about/executive-team/) - [Meet The Team](https://www.cola.org/about/meet-the-team/) - [Scholarship Program](https://www.cola.org/about/gb365/) - [Contact](https://www.cola.org/contact/) ## Mobile Laboratory Accreditation for Emergency Medical Services   ### COLA Overview COLA, Inc. is a physician-directed organization whose purpose is to promote health and safety through accreditation and educational programs. Our services are designed to improve your clinical laboratory as a whole, giving you confidence that your facility provides the best patient care. By weaving education throughout all of our services, we work with you to prepare your laboratory to meet regulatory requirements. COLA Inc. helps you ensure accurate test results, run your laboratory in accordance with quality systems, and meet CLIA accreditation requirements in order to serve your patients better. COLA is uniquely qualified to service the important Emergency Medical Services segment due to our extensive experience with point of care testing and mobile units.   ### Resources for setting up a laboratory | **9 Steps to opening your new laboratory.** In this complimentary COLAnotes, you will find practical information on how to get started by obtaining the necessary CLIA certificate, required for all clinical laboratories. - Determine the test complexity in the laboratory - Apply for the appropriate CLIA certificate - Identify resources needed to complete enrollment with an accreditation organization [**Click here**](https://education.cola.org/colanotes-9-steps-to-opening-your-new-laboratory?hsLang=es-pr) to see more. | [![9 steps to opening your new laboratory](https://education.cola.org/hubfs/9%20steps%20to%20opening%20your%20new%20laboratory.png)](https://education.cola.org/colanotes-9-steps-to-opening-your-new-laboratory?hsLang=es-pr) | | --- | --- | | **Mobile Laboratories Primer** Clinical testing performed on human specimens for the purpose of diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and evaluation of wellness is covered under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988. The regulations require that each testing site or laboratory obtain a separate and appropriate CLIA certificate for the testing performed. The regulations, however, do define exceptions that allow a single CLIA certificate for multiple testing sites. One of these exceptions is for temporary testing sites and mobile laboratories. This Primer addresses the unique requirements for mobile laboratories, such as ambulances. [**Click here**](https://education.cola.org/mobile-laboratories-primer?hsLang=es-pr) for more. | ![Screen Shot 2024-03-27 at 9.13.06 AM](https://education.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-27%20at%209.13.06%20AM.png?width=220&height=272&name=Screen%20Shot%202024-03-27%20at%209.13.06%20AM.png)   | | --- | --- |   | **Laboratory Director Course** COLA’s Laboratory Director course will prepare participants to meet the CLIA requirements for Laboratory Director, promote successful management of laboratory operations and effectively oversee required staff.  Participants enrolling in COLA’s Laboratory Director course will benefit from self-paced modules delivered through a blended online learning environment. The course will provide the learner with ease of accessibility and material that is concise and practical. [Click here](https://education-cola.talentlms.com/catalog/info/id:133) for more information | [![Laboratory Director Course](https://education.cola.org/hubfs/9-1-21-Lab%20Director%20Course.png)](https://education-cola.talentlms.com/catalog/info/id:133) | | --- | --- |   | **Application for Certification Form, CMS-116** The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made available the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) Application for Certification Form, CMS-116. This form should be completed and mailed to the address of the local [State Agency (PDF)](https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/CLIA/Downloads/CLIASA.pdf) for the state in which your laboratory resides. [Click here](https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS116.pdf) to download CMS-116 | [![CMS-116 Form](https://education.cola.org/hubfs/CMS-116-DS.png)](https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS116.pdf) | | --- | --- |   ### Obtaining Accreditation | **Apply for COLA Accreditation** COLA’s goal is to help you meet CLIA and state regulatory requirements and maintain the highest level of patient care at your clinical laboratory. That’s why we’ve made our accreditation process as straightforward as possible. For the most effective way to stay in compliance and give your patients the best possible care, begin by setting up your COLA account below. | | | --- | --- | Ready to begin the process? [![GET STARTED TODAY](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2664587/0cb8d58e-cac9-45c2-ad71-fcde824fe8f2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2664587/0cb8d58e-cac9-45c2-ad71-fcde824fe8f2) ![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground](https://education.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground.png?width=255&height=93&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground.png)   9881 Broken Land Pkwy Suite 200 | Columbia, MD 21046-3016 Phone: (800) 981-9883 | Fax: (410) 381-8611 | Email: info@cola.org Copyright © 2022 COLA Inc. [Terms of Use](https://www.cola.org?page_id=104157) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.cola.org?page_id=104160) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/Cola_Inc) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cola/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ColaInc/) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=169932&fmt=gif)