Accredited DNA Testing: What It Means and How to Choose a Test
DNA testing can help answer important questions about biological relationships, ancestry, and certain health risks. When results may be used in a legal or official setting, the quality of the testing process matters as much as the test itself. That is where accreditation can help.
Accreditation indicates that a laboratory has been assessed against defined standards for its work. It can provide reassurance about the lab’s procedures, staff qualifications, equipment, quality controls, and recordkeeping. However, the word “accredited” does not automatically mean that every test is suitable for every purpose. The type of test, the laboratory’s accreditation scope, and how samples are collected all matter.
What Does DNA Laboratory Accreditation Mean?
An independent accrediting organization evaluates a laboratory to determine whether it meets specified technical and quality standards. The evaluation may include a review of testing methods, sample handling, staff training, equipment maintenance, quality-control procedures, and the accuracy of records.
Accreditation is different from a company’s own claim that its testing is “certified,” “approved,” or “high quality.” To assess a claim, look for the name of the accrediting organization and confirm that the specific laboratory performing the test is accredited for the relevant type of testing.
Accreditation for Relationship Testing
For paternity and other relationship tests, one accreditation program commonly referenced in the United States is the AABB accreditation program for relationship testing laboratories. AABB is a private professional organization, not a government agency. Its accreditation is specific to laboratories and the activities included in their accreditation scope.
Before ordering a relationship test, check the laboratory’s current accreditation status directly with the accrediting organization. Confirm that the accreditation applies to the actual laboratory processing the samples—not only to a collection location, parent company, or testing service that sends samples elsewhere.
Accredited Testing Versus At-Home Testing
At-home DNA tests can be useful when people want information for personal knowledge. In a typical at-home test, participants collect their own cheek swabs and mail them to a laboratory. Because the participants collect and label the samples themselves, the results generally do not establish a verified chain of custody.
A legal or court-related test usually requires a controlled collection process. A qualified collector verifies the participants’ identities, witnesses the sample collection, documents the handling of the samples, and sends them securely to the laboratory. These safeguards help show whose DNA was tested and reduce the risk of mix-ups or tampering.
A home test should not be assumed to be accepted for legal purposes. If results may be used in court, for child support, immigration, inheritance, or another official matter, ask the relevant court or agency about its requirements before testing. Rules can vary depending on the purpose and jurisdiction.
Accreditation and Medical Genetic Testing
Medical genetic testing has additional considerations. In the United States, laboratories that perform testing on human samples for health-related purposes are generally subject to federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements, with some exceptions. Accreditation by organizations such as the College of American Pathologists (CAP) may also be relevant for certain laboratories.
These credentials are not interchangeable with accreditation for relationship testing. A laboratory may be qualified for one type of test but not another. For medical testing, ask whether the laboratory is authorized and appropriately qualified to perform the specific test, and discuss the test’s benefits, limits, and possible implications with a healthcare professional or genetic counselor.
How to Choose an Accredited DNA Testing Service
- Identify the purpose. Decide whether the test is for personal information, a legal matter, medical care, or another official use.
- Verify the laboratory. Ask which laboratory will analyze the samples and check its accreditation with the accrediting organization.
- Check the scope. Confirm that the accreditation covers the specific kind of DNA testing being ordered.
- Ask how samples are collected. For legal use, confirm the test includes identity verification, witnessed collection, and documented chain of custody.
- Understand the report. Ask what the results can establish, how uncertainty is reported, and whether the report is designed for the intended use.
- Review privacy practices. Learn how samples and genetic information are stored, shared, retained, and destroyed.
- Get costs and timelines in writing. Ask about collection fees, shipping, additional participants, and whether repeat testing could be necessary.
What Accreditation Does—and Does Not—Guarantee
Accreditation is an important quality indicator, but it is not a guarantee that every result will be error-free or that a court or agency will accept a report. It also does not determine the legal consequences of a result. The suitability of a test depends on the testing method, sample collection, documentation, and requirements of the organization that will review the results.
For a legal matter, contact the court, attorney, or agency involved before arranging testing. For health-related questions, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Taking these steps can help ensure that the test is performed by an appropriately qualified laboratory and that the results can be used for their intended purpose.
8 Essential Tips for Choosing an Accredited DNA Testing Service
- Verify the lab’s accreditation is current.
- Check that accreditation covers your specific test.
- Look for AABB accreditation for legal relationship testing.
- Use documented chain of custody for court-admissible results.
- Confirm sample collection follows the lab’s instructions.
- Ask who can access your genetic data.
- Review privacy and sample-retention policies.
- Make sure the report explains results and limitations.
Verify the lab’s accreditation is current.
Before ordering a DNA test, verify that the laboratory’s accreditation is current—not expired, suspended, or limited to a different type of testing. Check the accrediting organization’s official directory, and confirm that the specific lab processing your sample is listed and accredited for the test you need. This simple step can help ensure the lab meets recognized quality standards and that its results are appropriate for your intended use.
Check that accreditation covers your specific test.
Before choosing a DNA testing service, confirm that the laboratory’s accreditation specifically covers the test you need. Accreditation may apply only to certain types of testing or particular laboratory locations, so a general claim that a company is “accredited” may not be enough. Ask which laboratory will analyze the sample, verify its accreditation and scope with the accrediting organization, and make sure the test is appropriate for your purpose—especially if the results will be used for legal, medical, or other official reasons.
Look for AABB accreditation for legal relationship testing.
For legal relationship testing, look for a laboratory with current AABB accreditation that covers the specific test you need. AABB-accredited testing generally includes safeguards such as verified identities, witnessed sample collection, and documented chain of custody—steps that can help make results suitable for court or other official use. Confirm the lab’s accreditation directly with AABB, and check with the court or agency involved about its requirements before testing.
Use documented chain of custody for court-admissible results.
For DNA results to be considered in court, use a documented chain of custody. This means a qualified collector verifies each participant’s identity, witnesses the sample collection, and records how samples are labeled, handled, and transferred to the testing laboratory. These safeguards help confirm that the samples belong to the people named in the report and have not been mixed up or tampered with. Because court requirements can vary, check with the court or agency involved before arranging testing.
Confirm sample collection follows the lab’s instructions.
Confirm that every sample is collected and handled according to the laboratory’s instructions. Use the approved collection materials, follow any guidance on preparing beforehand, and label and package samples exactly as directed. If the test is for legal or official use, make sure collection is witnessed and identities are verified when required, so the lab can document who provided each sample and maintain a reliable chain of custody.
Ask who can access your genetic data.
Before choosing an accredited DNA testing service, ask who can access your genetic data and how it may be used. Find out whether the lab shares information with third parties, such as research partners, law enforcement, or other companies, and whether you can opt out of data sharing. Also ask how long your sample and results are stored, what steps protect them, and whether you can request their deletion. Review the privacy policy carefully so you understand your choices before providing a DNA sample.
Review privacy and sample-retention policies.
Before choosing an accredited DNA testing service, review its privacy and sample-retention policies so you know how your genetic information will be handled. Check who can access your results, whether the company may share data with third parties, how long it keeps your DNA sample and personal information, and whether you can request their deletion. If privacy matters are unclear, ask the laboratory for an explanation before submitting a sample.
Make sure the report explains results and limitations.
Make sure the DNA testing report clearly explains what the results mean—and what they cannot establish. It should describe the testing performed, explain any likelihoods or statistical measures in plain language, and note relevant limitations, such as who provided the samples and whether the test included identity verification or a documented chain of custody. If anything is unclear, ask the laboratory to explain the report before relying on it for a personal, legal, or medical decision.