United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Laboratory Information and Services
National Veterinary Services Laboratories
APHIS laboratory services are provided by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa and Orient Point (Plum Island), New York. The NVSL provides a wide variety of information and services, centered around diagnosis of domestic and foreign animal diseases, support of disease control and eradication programs, reagents for diagnostic testing, training, and laboratory certification.
NVSL Submission Forms
This section contains downloadable laboratory-related forms.
Diagnostic Testing
Authorized individuals may submit specimens to the NVSL facilities for diagnostic testing. This section describes the types of tests performed at the NVSL and provides instructions for submitting samples. Includes statement regarding ownership of specimens.
Reagents and Proficiency Tests
Diagnostic reagents are produced by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories as needed when a commercial source of reagent is not available or when commercial sources are not fulfilling diagnostic needs. This section contains a list of available reagents, including proficiency tests, and instructions for ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Testing and Reagents
Approved Laboratories
Some diagnostic testing may be conducted by APHIS-approved state, federal, or private laboratories. This section includes lists of laboratories currently approved by APHIS to conduct specific tests.
Diagnostic Training
The NVSL provides a variety of courses on diagnostic testing, specimen collection, and disease recognition. This section describes courses and instructions to register for a course.
National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN)
The NAHLN is part of a nationwide strategy to coordinate the work of all organizations providing veterinary surveillance and testing services.