Lab Test Menu

Pass Through Request

Specimen Pass Through Form

Please review all CDC submission requirements, including proper patient identifiers before shipping specimens to PHL.

How to Order a Lab Test

Use our online system to order your lab test.

  • First time users can enroll through email using the Sign Up button below.
  • If you already enrolled, use the Order a Lab Test button below.

Use the menu below for:

  • Specimen collection and shipping instructions
  • Specimen submission forms
  • Pre-approval requirements
  • Testing methodologies and frequencies
  • Turnaround times and contact information

To ensure that specimens meet laboratory acceptance criteria, please review all appropriate content prior to specimen submission.


Name Sort descending Updated Required form Specimen Collection and Submission Instructions Pre-approval Requirement Procedure, if applicable Methodology Testing Frequency Turnaround Time (business days) Comments Contact Footnotes Notifiable Conditions Info
Aerobic Bacterial Culture 06/01/2022

Aerobic Bacterial Culture

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Bacteria of interest will be isolated using selective and enrichment media and characterized using Gram staining and biochemical workup.

Daily, on regular business days

7-14 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Aerobic Bacterial Identification
Aerobes
06/01/2022

Aerobic Bacterial Identification

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

All clinical isolates will be identified by using biochemical and available molecular methods.

Daily, on regular business days

3-10 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning
ASP, Domoic acid, Biotoxin, Marine Toxin
03/30/2021

Contact the Shellfish Program to schedule testing and to obtain required form

Collection and Submission Instructions Shellfish Toxin Testing (PDF)

Instructional Video

Contact the Shellfish Program for required prior approval for testing

Quilliam Method, HPLC Diode Array Detection

Test is performed as needed

Within 24 hours of sample collection

Shellfish Related Illness: Questions concerning illness associated with eating shellfish should be directed either to the Local Health Jurisdiction or to the Office of Shellfish Program.

Marine Biotoxins Lab (206) 418-5441
Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

 

National Shellfish Sanitation Program

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Anaerobic Bacterial Culture
Anaerobic isolation. Anaerobes
06/01/2022

Anaerobic Bacterial Culture

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Isolation and identification of pathogenic anaerobic organisms by selective plating and biochemicals.

Daily, on regular business days

10-20 days

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Anaerobic Bacterial Identification
Anaerobes
06/01/2022

Anaerobic Bacterial Identification

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

All clinical isolates will be identified by using biochemical and available molecular methods.

Daily, on regular business days

10-20 days

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Sensitivity, MRSA, VRSA, VISA, Multidrug resistant, Minimal inhibition testing
06/01/2022

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates are tested using Kirby-Bauer and/or E-test for epidemiological purpose or upon request.

Monday-Thursday, excluding holidays

4-7 days

See CRE Screening Surveillance for CRE sensitivity testing. Sensitivities are performed on organisms that have CLSI guidelines for interpretation. Sensitivity is performed on N. meningitidis from sterile sites only.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Archival Isolate
Epidemiology, Archive, State Request
06/01/2022

Archival Isolate

Pre-approval not required.

Frozen for archive for epidemiological purposes

Not applicable

Not applicable

Isolate will not be tested.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Arsenic in Geoduck Testing 03/30/2021

Contact the Shellfish Program to schedule testing

Three geoduck samples per sampling site are required for testing

Collection and Submission Instructions Arsenic in Geoduck Testing (PDF)

Inquire with the laboratory for the required chain of custody form

Washington State Laboratories protocol (HPLC-ICP-MS)

Test is performed as needed (for international export of geoducks)

Turn around times may vary. Generally within 3 weeks of sample collection.

For geoduck inspection and export certification information, contact your local seafood inspection office at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program

Shellfish Chemistry Lab (206) 418-5441

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax)
Bacillus anthracis, B. anthracis, anthrax, Rule out Bacillus anthracis, R/O Bacillus anthracis, Rule out B. anthracis, R/O B. anthracis
06/30/2022

Bacillus anthracis

Pre-approval required.

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and the Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR); multiplexed nucleic acid based in vitro diagnostic test

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations
** Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (48 hours)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bacillus cereus (Environmental)
foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Bacillus cereus (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enumeration method based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with DOH CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bordetella pertussis Confirmation
Whooping cough, Pertussis
06/01/2022

Bordetella pertussis Confirmation

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates will be confirmed by Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA).

Daily, on regular business days

2-5 days

Please do not send mixed culture or media contaminated with fungus.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bordetella pertussis Culture
Whooping cough, Pertussis
06/01/2022

Bordetella pertussis Culture

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Swab will be plated on selective media, and suspicious growth tested with Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) and biochemicals.

Daily, on regular business days

7-10 days

Please use Dacron or rayon swabs for collection. Cotton swabs are toxic to B. pertussis.

 

Additional testing methodologies are performed for B. pertussis:  RT-PCR. 

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bordetella pertussis, Bortadella parapertussis Real-Time PCR.
Pertussis, B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, Whooping cough
09/07/2018

Bordetella pertussis, Bortadella parapertussis, Real-Time PCR

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Once a week (Thursdays)*

5 days*

Additional testing methodology performed for B. pertussis:  Culture.

Molecular Laboratory (206) 418-5563

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Brucella spp.
Brucella suis, Brucella canis, Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucellosis, undulant fever, Malta fever, Gibralter fever, Mediterranean fever.
06/30/2022

Brucella spp.

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), standard reference procedures for biochemical identification

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations.
** Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (15 days).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Burkholderia mallei
B. mallei, Glanders
06/30/2022

Burkholderia mallei

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), standard reference procedures for biochemical identification

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations.
** Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (7 days).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Burkholderia pseudomallei
B. pseudomallei, Whitmores Disease, melioidosis
06/30/2022

Burkholderia pseudomallei

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), standard reference procedures for biochemical identification, susceptibility

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations.
** Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (7 days).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Campylobacter Identification
Campylobacter confirmation, Confirm Campylobacter jejuni or coli
06/01/2022

Campylobacter Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates confirmed using biochemicals. Specimens may be forwarded to the CDC for speciation.

Daily, on regular business days.

2-7 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Chemical Incident Response (CIR)
Chemical Emergency Response, Chemical Exposure, Chemical, Lead, Metals, Pesticides, Toxins, Poison, Poisons, Blood Lead, Child Lead and Chemicals.
11/12/2021

Contact your Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) or your local law enforcement for their specimen submission instructions.

Pre-approval required
LHJ or law enforcement will contact CIR laboratory personnel
Local Health Jurisdictions

Multiple, LRN-C Level 2

CDC Lab Response Network for Chemical Threats

Tests are performed as needed

ASAP depending on workload and the test(s) requested

  • Contact LHJ or your local law enforcement office to request testing
  • If you suspect a specific chemical exposure, include that information in the sample form
  • Notify your local law enforcement of any suspected criminal activity

Local Health Jurisdictions

Chemical Incident Response Laboratory 206-418-5520

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Clostridium botulinum toxin
Botulism, Bot toxin, C. botulinum
06/30/2022

Clostridium botulinum toxin

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Mouse bioassay, ELISA, standard reference procedures for biochemical identification

Daily, on regular business days*

4-14 days

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Clostridium perfringens (Environmental)
Enteritis necroticans, foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Clostridium perfringens (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enumeration method based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with DOH CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Coccidioides AB EIA 06/01/2022

Coccidioides AB EIA Specimen instructions

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction(LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (EIA)

As needed

1-3 days

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Total and Fecal Coliform in Shellfish Wet Storage Testing
Fecal, Coliform, E. coli, contamination, Recirculating Water, Shellfish Growing Tank, Wet Storage
04/07/2021

Fecal Coliform Shellfish Wet Storage (PDF)

https://www.fda.gov/food/federalstate-food-programs/national-shellfish-sanitation-program-nssp

Contact the Shellfish Program for approval of testing

Multiple Tube Fermentation using Lauryl Tryptose Broth. 
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater: 9221 B.

Monday- Wednesday 8AM-4PM and Thursday 8AM-1PM

3-7 business days after receipt of sample

Enteric Pathogen Related Illness:
Questions concerning illness associated with enteric pathogens should be directed to the Local Health Jurisdiction

 

Water Bacteriology Lab (206) 418-5441
Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program

National Shellfish Sanitation Program

Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Fecal Coliform in Marine Water
Fecal, Coliform, E. coli, Marine Water Testing, Shellfish Growing Areas
04/07/2021

Collection and Submission Instructions Fecal Coliform Marine Water (PDF)

Contact the Shellfish Program for approval of testing

Multiple Tube Fermentation using MA-1 Medium. 
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater: 9221 E.

Monday - Friday 8AM - 1PM

Within 48 hours of sample receipt

Enteric Pathogen Related Illness: Questions concerning illness associated with enteric pathogens should be directed to the Local Health Jurisdiction

Water Bacteriology Lab (206) 418-5441
Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program

Test cost: Inquire with the Water Bacteriology Lab

National Shellfish Sanitation Program

Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Coliform Testing (Environmental)
Total and Fecal coliforms
10/14/2022

Coliform Testing (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

 

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enumeration method based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with DOH CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Corynebacterium diphtheriae Culture
Corynediptheriae, Diptheria
06/01/2022

Corynebacterium diphtheriae Culture

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Selective media will be used to isolate and identify C. diphtheriae from clinical specimens.

Daily, on regular business days

5-7 days

If Corynebacterium diphtheriae is isolated, the isolate will be forwarded to CDC for toxigenicity testing.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)