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Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    The Bureau of Laboratories (BOL) operates the state public health lab and regulates clinical laboratories serving the citizens of Pennsylvania. The laboratory supports disease prevention through the provision of investigatory, diagnostic, and confirmatory testing for both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Routine testing provides information necessary for patient care and aids in monitoring ongoing public health concerns in Pennsylvania.

    Our mission is to provide clinical laboratory testing, advice, consultation, and quality assurance standards to all who require or deliver medical diagnostic services; to assure services are accurate, timely, state-of-the-art, cost effective, and delivered in a responsive and courteous manner.

    • Dongxiang Xia, MD, PhD, D (ABMM), SV(ASCP), Bureau Director
    • Wade Aldous, PhD, D(ABMM) – Assistant Bureau Director

    The following staff are senior leaders within BOL:

    • Tom Bannon, MPA – Director, Division of Operations and Quality Assurance
    • Lisa Dettinger, MT (ASCP) – Director, Division of Microbiology
    • Oyenike Abiola Obaweya, MS, MPH – Director, Division of Laboratory Improvement
    • Jennifer Okraska – Director, Division of Chemistry and Toxicology
    • Vacant – Director, Division of Virology and Immunology

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The bureau is located at 110 Pickering Way, Exton, Pennsylvania, 19341 approximately 30 miles west of Philadelphia and two and a half miles south of Exit 312 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Its normal hours of operation are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. There is 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week coverage for critical tests such as rabies and for response to public health emergencies. 

    • Phone: 610-280-3464
    • Fax: 610-450-1932

    See the Directory of Services for information on the tests performed at the bureau and use the Specimen Submission Form.

    Most of the testing done at the bureau is coordinated through the Department of Health's state health centers, epidemiologists, individual public health programs or local health departments and is not available to the general public. You can call the bureau with questions and will be referred to the appropriate Department of Health office.

    The public may submit animals for rabies testing when a human being has been exposed to an animal that may have rabies. See the Rabies page for information on submission.

    An image of the bureau's current CLIA certificate, which includes its CLIA number, is available here.

    The bureau can tell you whether a laboratory is licensed and in good standing under the state and federal regulations. More detailed information about a laboratory's most recent inspection is available but we ask that you make a formal, written request to examine the files.

    It is always best to work with your physician in obtaining and interpreting laboratory results. However, you may request a copy of your results from the laboratory that performed the test. The laboratory will usually ask you to submit your request in writing.

    If you are concerned about the quality of laboratory testing, or about a safety issue, call the bureau to file a complaint. All complaints are investigated.

    Contact Information

    PA Bureau of Laboratories
    110 Pickering Way
    Exton, PA 19341
    Phone: 610-280-3464
    Fax: 610-450-1932