The certification process will require an on-site evaluation conducted by an Indiana laboratory certification officer and document review.

To begin the process, complete State Form 56454 (1-18) Indiana Drinking Water Microbiology Pre-Audit Information Request Form

Submit the completed Form 56454 (1-18) with copies of the following:

• The laboratory’s quality assurance plan/ manual
• The laboratory’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all methods for which certification is sought.
• Documentation of laboratory personnel’s qualifications and training records
• Copies of the results of the laboratory’s most recent water supply performance testing results (WS-PTs)
  • One (1) successful performance testing is required for enzyme substrate methods
  • Two (2) successful performance tests are required for all other methods
• Copies of the laboratory’s quality control results for the current lot of bottles, media, dilution water, etc.
• Copies of the laboratory’s reagent-grade water test for metals and bacteriological quality, if applicable
• Other specific items may be requested by the certification officer conducting the review.

Once these items are reviewed, an on-site evaluation/audit will then be scheduled.

During the evaluation/ audit, the lab will be expected to:

• Fully demonstrate all the microbiological methods for which your laboratory intends to be certified. This includes having all media and reagents prepared for the methods to be demonstrated (e.g. preparation of the tempered agar for the HPC procedure, etc.). It is preferable that the analyst(s) who normally performs the procedures be available to demonstrate the procedures.
• Have all pertinent equipment functioning (e.g. water bath filled with water and at the proper temperature, calibrated thermometers are tagged and in place, etc).
• Have the past three years of maintenance records available for lab equipment.
• Have the past three years of quality control records available.
• For Microbiology labs: have past three years of laboratory supply associated records such as purchase receipts, certificates of analysis, etc. available for review.
• Attend an exit interview including personnel the laboratory director decides are most involved in laboratory operations.

For more information, contact the laboratory certification program director at KatSullivan@HEALTH.IN.gov

See Laboratory Certification fee page for fees associated with microbiology certification.