Apply for ELAP Accreditation

Welcome to the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program’s Applications webpage. A laboratory must apply and be granted accreditation to perform testing for the purposes of environmental monitoring in California. Submit your complete application package to: ELAPCA@waterboards.ca.gov

Types of Applications and Due Dates

  • Initial Application – Used when applying for accreditation by ELAP for the first time. An initial application can be submitted anytime.
  • Renewal Application – Used when applying to renew an existing laboratory accreditation. Changes to the laboratory’s Fields of Accreditation cannot be made on a renewal application. A renewal application is due 90 days before the expiration of the laboratory’s certificate and is subject to the following late fees:
    • If the application is submitted after the due date, a late fee of 15% of the total application fee will be charged.
    • If the application is submitted after the expiration date, a late fee of 30% of the total application fee will be charged.
  • Amendment Application – Used when requesting a change in name, change in location, addition of a satellite or mobile laboratory to the existing accreditation, and/or addition or reinstatement of Field(s) of Accreditation to the current certificate. An amendment application can be submitted anytime, except for when requesting a change in location. Amendment applications to change locations must be submitted within 90 days after the move. A laboratory can request removal of FOAs from its accreditation by emailing ELAPCA@waterboards.ca.gov and including the specific subgroup number and effective date of the removal. An amendment application is not required.
  • Reciprocity Application – Used by out-of-state laboratories requesting accreditation through the recognition of another primary accrediting body’s accreditation.

Application Requirements
The requirements for each type of application are different. Make sure to read the full application form, which includes the specific requirements for your application. This Application Checklist (Under Construction) is designed to help you compile a complete application package.

NEW APPLICATION! Please use the newest version of the application below. Older versions will not be accepted. Instructions for what to include in each type of application are included in the form, as well as in this checklist.

Note: Electronic signatures are acceptable. There is no need to print the documents unless you want to save them for your records in hard copy.

Fields of Accreditation (FOA) Tables identify which analytical methods the laboratory is requesting accreditation in.

ELAP has converted the Fields of Testing Forms (FOTs) to Field of Accreditation (FOA) Tables in accordance with the new regulations that took effect on January 1, 2021. Read our Guidance on the Change from Fields of Testing (FOTs) to Fields of Accreditation (FOAs).

Drinking Water
Table 101: Microbiology in Drinking Water – updated January 12, 2021
Table 102: Inorganic Chemistry in Drinking Water – updated November 22, 2022
Table 103: Toxic Chemical Elements in Drinking Water – updated January 12, 2021
Table 104: Volatile Organic Chemistry in Drinking Water – updated August 16, 2022
Table 105: Semi-volatile Organic Chemistry in Drinking Water – updated September 26, 2022
Table 106: Radionuclides in Drinking Water – updated January 12, 2021
Table 129: Parasites in Drinking Water – updated April 1, 2021

Non-potable Water
Table 107: Microbiological Methods for Non-Potable Water and Sewage Sludge – updated April 1, 2021
Table 108: Inorganic Constituents in Non-Potable Water – updated September 29, 2021
Table 109: Metals and Trace Elements in Non-Potable Water – updated August 31, 2021
Table 110: Volatile Organic Constituents in Non-Potable Water – updated April 1, 2021
Table 111: Semi-Volatile Organic Constituents in Non-Potable Water – updated April 1, 2021
Table 112: Radionuclides in Non-Potable Water – updated April 1, 2021

Environmental Toxicity
Table 113: Environmental Toxicity Methods – updated April 1, 2021

Hazardous Waste
Summary of Changes to the Hazardous Waste FOAs – updated January 12, 2021
Table 114: Inorganic Constituents in Hazardous Waste – updated June 21, 2021
Table 115: Leaching/Extraction Tests and Physical Characteristics of Hazardous Waste – updated April 1, 2021
Table 116: Volatile Organic Compounds in Hazardous Waste – updated September 26, 2022
Table 117: Semi-Volatile Organic Chemistry in Hazardous Waste – updated September 26, 2022
Table 118: Radionucleotides in Hazardous Waste – updated April 1, 2021
Table 121: Bulk Asbestos in Hazardous Waste – updated April 1, 2021
Table 130: Inorganic Constituents in Hazardous Waste (Matrix Aqueous) – updated June 21, 2021
Table 131: Leaching/Extraction Tests, Physical Characteristics in Hazardous Waste (Matrix Aqueous) – updated April 1, 2021
Table 132: Volatile Organic Compounds in Hazardous Waste (Matrix Aqueous) – updated June 21, 2021
Table 133: Semi-Volatile Organic Chemistry in Hazardous Waste (Matrix Aqueous) – updated September 26, 2022
Table 134: Radionucleotides in Hazardous Waste (Matrix Aqueous) – updated April 1, 2021

Pesticide Residues in Food
Table 124: Organic Chemistry of Pesticide Residues in Food – updated April 1, 2021
Table 125: Organic Chemistry of Pesticide Residues in Food – updated April 1, 2021

Ambient Water
Table 126: Microbiological Methods for Ambient Water – updated April 1, 2021

Looking for a method not on our lists? Some approved methods do not appear on our FOA tables because ELAP only offers accreditation for analytical test methods that have been approved by a California State Regulatory Agency for use for regulatory purpose. Agencies such as the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards use ELAP accredited laboratory data for environmental and public health decisions and determine which methods are offered for accreditation by ELAP. ELAP advises contacting your customer to discuss selection of methods which are appropriate for the tests needed and, if necessary, request approval for intended use with the appropriate State Regulatory Agency. The State Regulatory Agency will make a formal request to ELAP to update our FOA forms if they determine the method you would like to use meets their data quality objectives.

Do not edit or manipulate the Excel worksheets. Keeping them in their current form allows ELAP to upload the requested subgroups directly to our database when we process your application. Simply enter a "Y" in the appropriate field next to the subgroups being requested.

Laboratories must pay a nonrefundable fee with each application. The application forms include information for the specific fees for the type of application as well as a tool to help you calculate your fee. General fee information is below, but ELAP encourages laboratories to use the application forms to calculate fees.

Initial, Renewal, and Reciprocity Application Fees

Fee Component Price
Base Fee (all laboratories) $3,100
Reciprocity Fee (Out-of-State Laboratories only) $5,000
Field of Accreditation (FOA) Fee (select only one tier) --
Tier 1 – 1-10 FOAs $450
Tier 2 – 11-49 FOAs $1,150
Tier 3 – 50-99 FOAs $3,450
Tier 4 – 100-149 FOAs $5,750
Tier 5 – 150-249 FOAs $8,050
Tier 6 – 250-349 FOAs $10,350
Tier 7 – 350+ FOAs $12,650

Amendment Application Fees

Amendment Application Description Fee
Applications with 49 or fewer FOAs $1,500
Applications with 50 or more FOAs $2,500

Assessment Fees – See the Laboratory Assessments webpage. Assessment fees are charged and paid separately from application fees.

Renewal Application Late Fees –

  • If the application is submitted after the due date, a late fee of 15% of the total application fee will be charged.
  • If the application is submitted after the expiration date, a late fee of 30% of the total application fee will be charged. 

How to Pay
Option 1: Online Payments (via Visa, MasterCard, or Discover):
Visit: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/make_a_payment/

Option 2: Manual payments (via check, money order, or cashier’s check):

  • Make your payment payable to the State Water Resources Control Board
  • Remit payment to one of the following addresses:

    State Water Resources Control Board Accounting Department
    ATTN: ELAP FEES
    PO Box 1888
    Sacramento, CA 95812-1888

    Or

    State Water Resources Control Board Accounting Department
    ATTN: ELAP FEES
    1001 I Street, 18th Floor
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    (physical address for courier services)