\n
Tier 1 – A<\/strong>pplication Period for 2025<\/strong>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/oldunitsstaging.fisheries.org\/fhs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2024\/01\/tier_1.png\")
<\/h1>\nThe\u00a0Tier 1<\/strong>\u00a0phase requires applicants to provide establishment and documentation of quality assurance principals, based largely on\u00a0Chapter 3 of the AFS-FHS Bluebook<\/a>, including standard operating procedures for laboratory procedures and equipment, designation of key quality assurance personnel, as well as laboratory safety procedures. Please review the requirements<\/a> before starting the application.<\/p>\nThe application deadline is September 1. Once you start your application, you can save and continue it at another time. For questions and communications, contact us at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com<\/a>. Payments can be sent via check or completed online with PayPal (for an additional PayPal fee) by contacting the Secretary-Treasurer at tih33@msstate.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\nTier 1 Application-click here to apply<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n <\/p>\n
Reference Documents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- QA-QC Tier 1 Application<\/a><\/li>\n
- Appendix A \u2013 Model Quality Assurance\/Quality Control Program for Fish Health Laboratories<\/a><\/li>\n
- Appendix B – Standard Operating Procedure Template (required, unless prior permission from QA Committee has been obtained)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Appendix C- Safety and Chemical Hygiene Fact Sheet<\/a><\/li>\n
- Example of a Tier 1 Application<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Currently Recognized Tier 1 Laboratories<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nTier 1 Renewal Application<\/strong><\/h3>\nTier 1 (Pre-qualification) is valid for a period of five years. This program was developed to improve laboratory QA procedures and to encourage programs to pursue Tier 2 status. If a laboratory does not apply for Tier 2, they can renew their Tier 1 status within the five year timeframe.<\/p>\n
If a laboratory does not apply for renewal within this timeframe and their Tier 1 status has lapsed, a full application package will need to be resubmitted in accordance with Tier 1 submission guidelines.<\/p>\n
Tier 1 status can be renewed by completing and submitting this application along with a $500<\/strong> nonrefundable application fee. If your laboratory is in compliance with these criteria, check the respective boxes, provide required materials and provide final signature from the laboratory director.<\/p>\nApplicants can contact the QA\/QC committee at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com<\/a> to receive detailed instructions for submitting application forms and supporting documents. The FHS treasurer can be contacted at tih33@msstate.edu<\/a> to receive detailed instructions for submitting the application fee.<\/p>\nSubmission date for each calendar year is September 1<\/strong>.<\/p>\nRenewing your Tier 1 Recognition<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nTier 2 – Application Period for 2025![\"\"](\"https:\/\/oldunitsstaging.fisheries.org\/fhs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2024\/01\/tier_2.png\")
<\/strong><\/h1>\nThis program is a major step upward from the Tier 1 program, is somewhat complex and will likely take a significant amount of time and effort to achieve. This application relates to the second level of this process entitled \u201cTier 2 \u2013 Recognition\u201d. There are several goals for this next level, including \u201craising the bar\u201d even further from Tier 1, verification that many of the accomplishments asserted in Tier 1 have been achieved, and finally, preparation for potential entry into a laboratory network or actual accreditation with an existing program. To accomplish these goals, laboratories will need to achieve an integrated quality management system (QMS). Please review the requirements<\/a> before starting the application.<\/p>\nThe application deadline is September 1. Once you start your application, you can save and continue it at another time. For questions and communications, contact us at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com<\/a>. Payments can be sent via check or completed online with PayPal (for an additional PayPal fee) by contacting the Secretary-Treasurer at tih33@msstate.edu<\/a>. Once the application has been received, further instructions will be sent to allow uploading of additional required materials for Part 2.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Reference Documents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Tier 2 application<\/a><\/li>\n
- General guidelines for Tier 2 application<\/a><\/li>\n
- Appendix A – Quality Manual<\/a><\/li>\n
- Appendix B – Biosafety Level 2 Reference<\/a><\/li>\n
- Appendix C – Competency Schedule Example<\/a><\/li>\n
- Appendix D – Internal Audit Checklist Example<\/a><\/li>\n
- Example of a Tier 2 Application<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Currently Recognized Tier 2 Laboratories<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nTier 2 Renewal Application<\/strong><\/h3>\nTier 2 (Recognition) is valid for a period of five years. The Tier 2 program was developed as a step process to encourage laboratories to pursue final Tier 3 status (Accreditation) according to ISO17025 standards. The QA\/QC committee understands the requirement for final laboratory accreditation will take time and significant commitment to achieve. If final accreditation is not achieved within this period, laboratories can also renew their Tier 2 status by following guidelines provided throughout this document.<\/p>\n
If a laboratory does not apply for renewal within this timeframe and their Tier 2 status has lapsed, a full application package will need to be resubmitted in accordance with annual Tier 2 guidelines.<\/p>\n
Thoroughly review each category throughout this application. If your laboratory is in compliance with these criteria, provide required materials and provide a final signature from the laboratory director.<\/p>\n
Applicants can contact the QA\/QC committee at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com<\/a> to receive detailed instructions for submitting application forms and supporting documents. The FHS treasurer can be contacted at tih33@msstate.edu<\/a> to receive detailed instructions for submitting the $1,200<\/strong> nonrefundable application fee.<\/p>\nSubmission date for each calendar year is September 1.<\/strong><\/p>\n
The application deadline is September 1. Once you start your application, you can save and continue it at another time. For questions and communications, contact us at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com<\/a>. Payments can be sent via check or completed online with PayPal (for an additional PayPal fee) by contacting the Secretary-Treasurer at tih33@msstate.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reference Documents:<\/strong><\/p>\n Currently Recognized Tier 1 Laboratories<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Tier 1 (Pre-qualification) is valid for a period of five years. This program was developed to improve laboratory QA procedures and to encourage programs to pursue Tier 2 status. If a laboratory does not apply for Tier 2, they can renew their Tier 1 status within the five year timeframe.<\/p>\n If a laboratory does not apply for renewal within this timeframe and their Tier 1 status has lapsed, a full application package will need to be resubmitted in accordance with Tier 1 submission guidelines.<\/p>\n Tier 1 status can be renewed by completing and submitting this application along with a $500<\/strong> nonrefundable application fee. If your laboratory is in compliance with these criteria, check the respective boxes, provide required materials and provide final signature from the laboratory director.<\/p>\n Applicants can contact the QA\/QC committee at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com<\/a> to receive detailed instructions for submitting application forms and supporting documents. The FHS treasurer can be contacted at tih33@msstate.edu<\/a> to receive detailed instructions for submitting the application fee.<\/p>\n Submission date for each calendar year is September 1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Renewing your Tier 1 Recognition<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This program is a major step upward from the Tier 1 program, is somewhat complex and will likely take a significant amount of time and effort to achieve. This application relates to the second level of this process entitled \u201cTier 2 \u2013 Recognition\u201d. There are several goals for this next level, including \u201craising the bar\u201d even further from Tier 1, verification that many of the accomplishments asserted in Tier 1 have been achieved, and finally, preparation for potential entry into a laboratory network or actual accreditation with an existing program. To accomplish these goals, laboratories will need to achieve an integrated quality management system (QMS). Please review the requirements<\/a> before starting the application.<\/p>\n The application deadline is September 1. Once you start your application, you can save and continue it at another time. For questions and communications, contact us at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com<\/a>. Payments can be sent via check or completed online with PayPal (for an additional PayPal fee) by contacting the Secretary-Treasurer at tih33@msstate.edu<\/a>. Once the application has been received, further instructions will be sent to allow uploading of additional required materials for Part 2.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reference Documents:<\/strong><\/p>\n Currently Recognized Tier 2 Laboratories<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Tier 2 (Recognition) is valid for a period of five years. The Tier 2 program was developed as a step process to encourage laboratories to pursue final Tier 3 status (Accreditation) according to ISO17025 standards. The QA\/QC committee understands the requirement for final laboratory accreditation will take time and significant commitment to achieve. If final accreditation is not achieved within this period, laboratories can also renew their Tier 2 status by following guidelines provided throughout this document.<\/p>\n If a laboratory does not apply for renewal within this timeframe and their Tier 2 status has lapsed, a full application package will need to be resubmitted in accordance with annual Tier 2 guidelines.<\/p>\n Thoroughly review each category throughout this application. If your laboratory is in compliance with these criteria, provide required materials and provide a final signature from the laboratory director.<\/p>\n Applicants can contact the QA\/QC committee at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com<\/a> to receive detailed instructions for submitting application forms and supporting documents. The FHS treasurer can be contacted at tih33@msstate.edu<\/a> to receive detailed instructions for submitting the $1,200<\/strong> nonrefundable application fee.<\/p>\n Submission date for each calendar year is September 1.<\/strong><\/p>\nTier 1 Application-click here to apply<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
\n
Tier 1 Renewal Application<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nTier 2 – Application Period for 2025
<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n
Tier 2 Renewal Application<\/strong><\/h3>\n