About Proficiency Testing

What is Measurement Proficiency Testing?

Proficiency Testing (PT), also known as interlaboratory comparison (ILC), is a process by which laboratories validate the quality of their measurements.

How does proficiency testing work?

Proficiency testing compares measurement results obtained from a number of different laboratories on the same artifact or gage. The artifact is sent among a number of laboratories, and each laboratory measures the artifact according to the same parameters. Then each laboratory reports their results to MeasurePT.

The results reported by each laboratory are compared to the reference value for that artifact. With most tests, an accredited top-level laboratory that has continuously proven its ability to accurately measure that type of artifact is chosen to determine the reference value.

MeasurePT then collects and analyzes the measurement data and presents it to our customer as a comparative report, with the opportunity for suggestions to improve measurement quality.

Why participate in proficiency testing?

Accreditation bodies use proficiency testing to ensure the credibility of their own programs by requiring the laboratories they accredit to demonstrate that they can verify their measurements through interlaboratory comparisons.

Proficiency testing is a valuable continuous improvement tool because it allows laboratories to directly compare their measurement data to the results from the industry leaders in their field.