CRB Meets With CMS Officials To Discuss CLIA Accepting Animal Science Degrees

On May 29, 2025, CRB and ABB leaders met with CMS representatives to follow-up on CRB’s March 17, 2025, letter regarding the acceptability of degrees in the Animal Sciences to qualify under the updated CLIA regulations that went into effect on December 28, 2024.

CRB representatives included Michael Baker, Ph.D., HCLD/TS(ABB), and Melanie Clemmer, Ph.D., HCLD(ABB), signees on CRB’s March 17, 2025, letter; ABB Board Member Dolores Lamb, Ph.D., HCLD(ABB), and Michael Stout, Ph.D., HCLD/ALD/TS/CC/ELD(ABB), and Matthew Hudnall, M.Sc., TS(ABB).

CRB reiterated that there have been several instances recently where qualified andrology and embryology laboratory personnel have had their credentials questioned, or who have been disqualified due to CLIA surveyors (inspectors) concluding that degrees in the Animal Sciences do not meet CLIA’s recently revised personnel qualifications.

The CMS representatives carefully listened to the arguments that Animal Science degrees are biological sciences and therefore meet CLIA’s personnel requirements under 42 CFR 493 Subpart M, and that holding such a credential should not disqualify an individual from performing CLIA-covered laboratory procedures in CLIA, CAP, or Joint Commission certified laboratories.

CRB will update share updates on this matter as they become available.

Click here to view CRB's letter to CMS.