Laboratories must now pay fees online and access certificates electronically as the program ends paper mailings.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program completed its transition to paperless operations on March 1, 2026. Following this change, the agency no longer sends paper fee coupons or physical certificates to laboratories through the mail, mirroring a broader industry trend where facilities are choosing to replace paper workflows with electronic platforms.
All CLIA certification and survey fees must now be processed online, as CMS no longer accepts payment by check. This digital shift aligns with other recent online initiatives from the agency, such as the CMS data collection module for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule reporting. Laboratories can make payments using bank accounts, debit cards, or credit cards via the pay.gov website.
In addition to digital payments, laboratories must now access their CLIA certificates electronically. These documents are available through the Quality, Certification, and Oversight Reports system.
Communication Requirements
To facilitate this transition, laboratories are required to have a valid email address on file with CMS. This address is necessary to receive electronic fee notifications, certificates, and other official communications. According to CMS, laboratories without a valid email address may experience delays in billing or certification.
Official notifications are sent from [email protected]. CMS recommends that laboratories adjust their email settings or spam filters to ensure these messages are delivered directly to their inboxes.
“These are official communications from CMS and not spam,” says the agency in a memo.
Implementation and Support
The move to paperless operations does not apply to CLIA-exempt states or state licensure. Laboratories that have not yet updated their contact information or are experiencing issues with the digital transition should contact their state agency or accreditation organization.
CMS also provides support through a list of frequently asked questions on the CLIA website to assist laboratories with the transition.
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