The NELAC Institute (TNI) Environmental Lab Accreditation Training
Learn about the updated TNI Lab Accreditation Standard
Note that this page includes course descriptions for the 2-day version of the TNI Course, the 1-day version of the TNI Course, and some of the 90-minute webinars that are derived from the TNI Course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
TNI is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing national standards of accreditation to allow environmental laboratories a set of regulations to produce data of known quality. The objective of this course is to provide a review of the recently implemented 2016 version of the standard used to accredit environmental laboratories. This course will highlight the changes from the previous 2009 version and will provide information to laboratories making the transition to fully implement the 2016 Standard. The 2016 TNI Standard is based upon ISO/IEC 17025:2005 with additional requirements specific to environmental testing laboratories.
International Accreditation Service (IAS) Inc is recognised by TNI for accreditation against the TNI standard. See the list published on the NELAC website.
TARGET ORGANIZATIONS
This Training Course applies to environmental laboratories seeking recognition of environmental testing under the 2016 TNI Standard and those transitioning from other state-specific accreditation programs.
COURSE PARTICIPANTS
For all laboratory staff who
- Manage the laboratory
- Manage in the technical operation of the laboratory
- Operate and maintain the laboratory quality system
- Manage laboratory programs
TRAINING PROCESS
This 2-day Training Course examines structural components of the standard. See the syllabus below. Quality system and technical requirements are grouped in a manner that makes them clear and understandable. We will discuss suggestions and ideas for quality system improvement and streamlined records management.
The course contains reference to Standard Interpretations, Implementation Guidance, and Guidance Documents published by TNI.
Course Overview Syllabus
| Day 1 – (09:00–16:30) | Day 2 – (09:00–16:30) | 1-Day Short Course |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction Review of 2016 TNI Standard:
Implementation Process:
|
Tools for different lab types (small vs large, municipal vs commercial)
Documents vs Records Preparing for the Assessment:
Common assessment findings |
09:00 - Introduction Review of 2016 TNI Standard:
Implementation Process:
Preparing for the Assessment:
Workshopping ideas 16:30 - Wrap-up |
IAS ELAP Symposium - November 6th, 2025
Live! At the Pleasanton Marriott, 11950 Dublin Canyon Road, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, USA
An opportunity for environmental laboratory staff to connect with IAS staff and assessors, industry leaders and peers around practical approaches to environmental laboratory operations. Gain knowledge to strengthen laboratory capabilities.
Symposium Highlights will include:
- In-Depth Presentations on Key Topics
- ELAP Requirements for Laboratories
- Most frequent corrective actions findings found during IAS Assessments Process
- Navigating the 2016 TNI Standard
- Panel discussion with the ELAP Assessors
- And much more!
90 MINUTE WEBINARS
Click on any of the numbered webinar links below to see the course description for that webinar. Following each webinar, IAS creates a video of the webinar and posts it to our online training site at https://international-accreditation-service.teachable.com/courses.
WEBINAR 1 - 2016 TNI STANDARD FOR TESTING LABORATORIES
WEBINAR 2 - CALIFORNIA ELAP REGULATIONS
WEBINAR 3 - PREPARING FOR THE ELAP ASSESSMENT
WEBINAR 4 - QC IN THE ELAP LABORATORY
WEBINAR 5 - TECHNICAL CRITERIA FOR CHEMISTRY METHODS AND EQUIPMENT
WEBINAR 6 - TECHNICAL CRITERIA FOR MICROBIOLOGY METHODS AND EQUIPMENT
WEBINAR 7 - GUIDELINES FOR METHOD SELECTION AND VALIDATION/VERIFICATION
WEBINAR 8 - METROLOGICAL TRACEABILITY IN THE ELAP LAB
WEBINAR 9 - STAFF TRAINING AND COMPETENCE IN THE ELAP LAB
WEBINAR 10 - CREATING AND INTEGRATING THE ELAP LABORATORY QUALITY MANUAL
WEBINAR 11 - EFFECTIVE INTERNAL AUDITS AND MANAGEMENT REVIEWS
WEBINAR 12 – IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
WEBINAR 13 - IMPLEMENTING A ROBUST DATA INTEGRITY PROGRAM IN AN ELAP LAB
WEBINAR 14 - COMMON ELAP LABORATORY ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
WEBINAR 15 - QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION FOR SMALL LABORATORIES
WEBINAR 16 - DOCUMENT CONTROL IN ELAP LABS
WEBINAR 17 - ENSURING QUALITY SUPPLIERS AND SUBCONTRACTORS IN AN ELAP LAB
WEBINAR 18 - MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES IN AN ELAP LAB
WEBINAR 19 - EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ELAP LABORATORIES
WEBINAR 20 - SAMPLE INTEGRITY IN AN ELAP LAB
WEBINAR 21 - HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO AN ELAP ASSESSMENT REPORT
WEBINAR 22 - CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUIREMENTS IN AN ELAP LAB
WEBINAR 23 - METHOD DETECTION LIMITS IN AN ELAP LAB
WEBINAR 24 - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REQUIRED IN AN ELAP LAB
WEBINAR 25 - TNI STANDARD INTERPRETATIONS FOR A CA ELAP LABORATORY
WEBINAR 26 - WHAT CA ELAP LABORATORIES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHANGES TO SM 9020
WEBINAR 27 - METHOD MODIFICATIONS FOR A CA ELAP LABORATORY
DATE(S) AND LOCATION(S):
See https://www.iasonline.org/training/ias-training-schedule/
REGISTRATION*
- Webinar - Regular Registration $100.00, Early Bird $75.00
- California Regulations Webinar (Webinar 2) is Free
- Short Course - Regular Registration $300.00 USD, Early Bird $250.00
- Long Course - Regular Registration $550.00 USD, Early Bird $400.00
*Fees are non-refundable for cancellations; however, you may substitute another member of your staff, or attend another class offered by IAS at a later date. If IAS cancels this class for any reason, the full registration fee paid will be refunded.
Contact Ms. Jouliana Tchiloyans at jtchiloyans@iasonline.org.
About our Instructor
Dr. Francis has extensive experience in chemistry and biology. He is currently a principal with SAW Environmental (2004 to present). He was owner/operator of a large environmental laboratory in Nevada prior to becoming a full-time consultant. He performs and manages third‐party laboratory audits for several states, QA/QC consulting to individual laboratories, and provides internal audits, data integrity training, and data validation to private and governmental laboratories. Dr. Francis is a contract assessor for IAS assessing laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025 and various TNI Standards. He is a fully qualified NELAC assessor in organic and inorganic chemistry, microbiology, cryptosporidium, radiochemistry, solids, aqueous, tissue, and air. He is an EPA-approved drinking water certification officer in all areas available.
Dr. Francis performs 30-40 audits per year. He received his PhD in chemistry from the U. of Utah, 2003
