CLIA Lab Director Qualifications Amended to Include ABD-Certified Dermatologists

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has amended qualifications for Laboratory Directors to include certification in dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD).

This change was made after the ABD, the American Academy of Dermatology, the American College of Mohs Surgery, and other dermatology groups contacted the CMS with compelling arguments for including ABD certification in the list of qualifications for Laboratory Director. These groups explained that if dermatologists (including subspecialists in dermatopathology and micrographic dermatologic surgery) are not allowed to serve as laboratory directors, their ability to care for patients will be severely restricted.

New qualifications for Laboratory Directors published in the Federal Register at the end of 2024 omitted physicians certified by the ABD. Until the most recent revision, ABD credentials were accepted criteria for the Laboratory Director position.

The CMS now lists these criteria for laboratory directors:

• Be a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in the state where the laboratory is located.

And fulfill one of the following requirements:

• Be certified in anatomic pathology by the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology; or
• Be certified in dermatopathology by the American Board of Dermatology and the American Board of Pathology; or
• Be certified in dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology. 

Details are available in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) Enforcement Discretion and Clarification on Personnel Regulations.

CMS officials also noted that laboratories must switch to email notifications to start receiving electronic CLIA fee coupons and certificates. After March 1, 2026, paper fee coupons and CLIA certificates will no longer be available. For more details, visit Clinical Laboratory Improvement (CLIA) Amendments.