CMS Partners exempt from CLIA certification are in which states?

• A. New York, Washington, California
• B. Florida, Texas, Ohio
• C. Alaska, Hawaii, Maine
• D. Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky

Answer: (A)

CLIA protections apply to laboratories that perform diagnostic testing on human specimens, but some state regulations create specific exemptions for certain entities, including CMS Partners. In those states, the regulatory framework allows CMS Partners to operate without obtaining a separate CLIA certification because their activities are covered or regulated under a different pathway. The three states where this exemption applies are New York, Washington, and California. This reflects how state oversight can differ in recognizing or delegating oversight for certain partner programs, so always confirm with the state CLIA program or health department, as exemptions can change.