NABL Accreditation vs NABL Entry Level — Which Is Right for Your Lab?

NABL offers two accreditation pathways for medical laboratories — full NABL accreditation under ISO 15189 and the NABL Entry Level scheme. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right path.

For small labs or labs just starting their quality journey, the choice between full NABL accreditation and NABL Entry Level accreditation is an important strategic decision.

Full NABL Accreditation (ISO 15189:2022)

Full NABL accreditation involves assessment against all requirements of ISO 15189:2022. It covers the complete scope of your laboratory’s testing activities and is internationally recognised through ILAC/APLAC MRAs.

Suitable for: Medium to large labs with a broad test menu, labs seeking government scheme empanelment, labs serving corporate/insurance clients.

NABL Entry Level Accreditation

The Entry Level scheme is designed for smaller laboratories with a limited scope. Requirements are less comprehensive than full ISO 15189, making it more achievable for labs early in their quality journey.

Suitable for: Small standalone labs, labs in smaller cities, labs with limited resources who want to start the quality journey.

Key Differences

• Scope: Entry Level covers a more limited set of tests
• Requirements: Entry Level has less stringent documentation and QC requirements
• Recognition: Full NABL has international recognition; Entry Level is nationally recognised
• Cost: Entry Level is less expensive
• Timeline: Entry Level can typically be achieved in 3–4 months

Our Recommendation

For most labs, we recommend starting with Entry Level accreditation if you are a small lab or if your current quality systems are basic. Use the Entry Level certification as a stepping stone, then work toward full NABL accreditation within 2–3 years. This approach builds quality systematically without overwhelming your team.