The CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have proposed updating the regulations that require individuals who screen Pap tests to demonstrate their proficiency in reading and interpreting test results.

The Cytology Proficiency Testing Proposed Rule was published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2009.

Links to Federal Register Notice:

• HTML: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-804.htm
• PDF: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-804.pdf

Important Deadline:

Comments: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of the addresses provided in the Federal Register notice ( see above-referenced links) no later than 5 p.m. on March 17, 2009.

Link to CMS Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/fact_sheets.asp

For more information on CLIA, please visit the CMS web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CLIA/