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About

The Laboratory

Why Test With Us

Meet the Team

Services

Laboratory Services

Cannabis Testing

Analysis of cannabis flower, extracts and products for FL MMTCs.

Hemp Testing

Analysis of hemp products including flower and derivatives.

Mushroom Testing

Analysis of potency and purity in psilocybin and functional mushrooms.

Hemp Testing Services

Potency Testing

Accurate determination of 23 cannabinoid concentrations.

Terpene Profiling

Measurement of concentration across a profile of 38 terpenes.

All testing services

In total, we have 30+ tests available for hemp and derivative products.

Compliance Services

Florida Cannabis

For state-certified Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs).

National Hemp Panel

One single COA, compliance across all United States geographic markets.

Compliance Articles

There's a lot to learn, and things change pretty frequently.

Compliance

Cannabis

Hemp/CBD

Florida Hemp

Let's Talk Compliance

Education

Blogs

ACS Laboratory Receives 82 Emerald Badges for Exemplary Hemp and Cannabis Test Results, More Than Any Laboratory in the USA

Visit the New and Improved ACS Laboratory Website

ACS Laboratory And Automatic Slims Metaverse Marketplace Release A Cannabis-Branded NFT At MJBizCon

A Guide to Delta-8 vs. THCOa: Extraction, Products, Safety, Legality, Testing & More

Comparing Exotic Cannabinoids: Delta-9 THC vs. Delta-8, Delta-10, HHC, HHCP, THC-O (THCOa), & THCP

A Guide to Delta-8 vs. HHC: Extraction, Products, Safety, Legality, Testing & More

Interview: Farming Hemp in Florida, Overcoming the Challenges

Unexpected Cannabis Viruses: Risks, Prevention, and Laboratory Testing

How to Dry and Cure Smokable Hemp Flower for Best Results

Craft Cannabis Trend: Full Spectrum “Live Dried” Cannabis Extracts

Extracted Series: Exploring Solventless Extraction, Products, and Pro Tips

Extracted Series: CO2 Extraction Methods for Hemp and Cannabis

Hemp Drying Experiment: Traditional Hang Dry vs. Forced Air Drying

How to Choose the Right Hemp Seed Genetics for Harvest 2021

DEA Says Delta-8 and Delta-9 THCOA (aka THCO) Falls Under Controlled Substances Act, not Farm Bill

Florida Dept. of Health Reqs for CMTL’s – Certified Marijuana Testing Labs

Does Shopify Allow Delta 8 THC Sales?

FAQs

Commonly Asked Questions Answered.

How to Read a COA

Learn how to read a Certificate of Analysis

Services

Testing

Cannabis

ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards

Mushroom

ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards

Hemp

ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards

Hemp Testing

Potency Testing

Accurate determination of 22 cannabinoid concentrations.

Terpene Profiling

Testing for 38 terpenes

All

All 23 Testing Services

Compliance

ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards

Let's Talk Compliance

Client Login

Start Testing Start Testing

Laboratory Services

Cannabis

ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards

Mushroom

ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards

Hemp

ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards

Hemp Testing

Potency Testing

Accurate determination of 22 cannabinoid concentrations.

Terpene Profiling

Testing for 38 terpenes

All

All 23 Testing Services

Compliance

ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards ACS Laboratory has won the most national awards

Let's Talk Compliance

Services

Laboratory Services

Cannabis Testing

Analysis of cannabis flower, extracts and products for FL MMTCs.

Hemp Testing

Analysis of hemp products including flower and derivatives.

Mushroom Testing

Analysis of potency and purity in psilocybin and functional mushrooms.

Hemp Testing Services

Potency Testing

Accurate determination of 23 cannabinoid concentrations.

Terpene Profiling

Measurement of concentration across a profile of 38 terpenes.

All testing services

In total, we have 30+ tests available for hemp and derivative products.

Compliance Services

Florida Cannabis

For state-certified Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs).

National Hemp Panel

One single COA, compliance across all United States geographic markets.

Compliance Articles

There's a lot to learn, and things change pretty frequently.

Education

Blogs

ACS Laboratory Receives 82 Emerald Badges for Exemplary Hemp and Cannabis Test Results, More Than Any Laboratory in the USA

Visit the New and Improved ACS Laboratory Website

ACS Laboratory And Automatic Slims Metaverse Marketplace Release A Cannabis-Branded NFT At MJBizCon

A Guide to Delta-8 vs. THCOa: Extraction, Products, Safety, Legality, Testing & More

Comparing Exotic Cannabinoids: Delta-9 THC vs. Delta-8, Delta-10, HHC, HHCP, THC-O (THCOa), & THCP

A Guide to Delta-8 vs. HHC: Extraction, Products, Safety, Legality, Testing & More

Interview: Farming Hemp in Florida, Overcoming the Challenges

Unexpected Cannabis Viruses: Risks, Prevention, and Laboratory Testing

How to Dry and Cure Smokable Hemp Flower for Best Results

Craft Cannabis Trend: Full Spectrum “Live Dried” Cannabis Extracts

Extracted Series: Exploring Solventless Extraction, Products, and Pro Tips

Extracted Series: CO2 Extraction Methods for Hemp and Cannabis

Hemp Drying Experiment: Traditional Hang Dry vs. Forced Air Drying

How to Choose the Right Hemp Seed Genetics for Harvest 2021

New Cannabinoid Spotlight: Delta-6a10a THC AKA Delta-3

Top 10 Predictions for Cannabis Marketing Trends in 2022

Gimmick or Genius? 9 Weird CBD Products We Just Had to Investigate.

DEA Says Delta-8 and Delta-9 THCOA (aka THCO) Falls Under Controlled Substances Act, not Farm Bill

Florida Dept. of Health Reqs for CMTL’s – Certified Marijuana Testing Labs

Does Shopify Allow Delta 8 THC Sales?

FAQs

Commonly Asked Questions Answered.

How to Read a COA

Learn how to read a Certificate of Analysis

Client Login

Start Testing

All Services

Compliance

TESTING SERVICES

Based on national compliance regulation criteria your customers will know that your product meets the strictest guidelines in the United States, and has been tested by the most trusted 3rd party Cannabis and Hemp Laboratory in the industry.

A lab expert doing compliance checks with CBD samples in a petri dish

Meeting Compliance Requirement

Researching Cannabis and Hemp Compliance?

Start Here...

Florida MMJ Compliance

ACS Laboratory is compliant with the Florida Department of Health’s medical marijuana legislation.

We offer a wide range of tests from potency to safety and contaminants to ensure your product is ready for patient use.

Overview

Florida MMTC Testing Requirements

Services

Cannabis & Derivative Products Testing

Fedaral & State Hemp Compliance

ACS Laboratory is a DEA-registered (#RA0571996) and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility.

We comply with the USDA’s rules as well as Florida’s Hemp Program for our testing methods, designations and electronic reporting system.

WE ARE USDA- AND STATE-COMPLIANT.

Medical Cannabis Compliance

Florida MMJ Compliance, Simplified

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 ACCREDITED

DEA REGISTERED (#RA0571996)

CLIA LICENSED

Florida Compliance

ACS Laboratory is compliant with legislation from the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use.

We offer a wide range of tests from potency to pesticides to ensure your product is ready for patient use.

R+D Testing

Along with comprehensive and compliant test panels, ACS also offers a la carte R&D testing services.

Select from our range of tests to help develop your premium-quality medical cannabis.

WE ARE USDA- AND STATE-COMPLIANT.

Florida Amendment 2

In 2016, Florida voters passed Amendment 2, known as the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, which legalized cannabis to treat patients with specific medical conditions. Following Amendment 2, the Florida Senate published the Medical Use of Marijuana statute, and its rules are still evolving today.

At ACS Laboratory, we are up to date with Florida’s guidelines and exceed all proposed requirements.

Submit Samples to start testing today!

Florida MMJ Compliance Resources

Medical Use of Marijuana Statute 381.986

Medical Marijuana Pesticide Use

Renewal Applications for MMTCs

Florida Rules in
Development

Lab Certification and Testing Standards

Solvent Based Extraction Standards

Packaging and Labeling Standards

Edible Products

Pesticide Testing

According to Florida’s Department of Health (DOH) in statute 381.986, any pesticide used in the production of medical marijuana or low-THC cannabis (hemp) must be registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These pesticides must be classified as minimum risk, and the ingredients in the pesticide must be exempt from tolerance requirements. Florida law also requires that medical marijuana be tested for pesticides.

Other Contaminants

Aside from pesticides, the DOH’s proposed lab certification and testing standards rules state that medical cannabis cannot contain any level of microbes, mycotoxins, agricultural agents, residual solvents, heavy metals, or filth and foreign materials found in an amount that exceeds any of the department’s accepted limitations. At ACS, we analyze medical cannabis in accordance with these rules.

Full Panel Contaminant Test Include

Pesticides

Microbial Agents

Filth and Foreign Materials

Heavy Metals

Cannabinoid Potency

Mycotoxins

Residual Solvents (Extracts)

Pathogenic Microbiology #3

Moisture Content + Water Activity

Cannabinoid Profile Testing

According to the proposed rules, all medical cannabis must also be tested to determine its cannabinoid profile before it can be sold to patients.

The rules specify the following cannabinoids: d9-THC, d8-THC, THCA, THCV, CBD, CBDA, CBDV, CBG, CBGA, CBN and CBC.

What About Federal Compliance?

Cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug, according to the Controlled Substances Act.

Until the federal ban is lifted, there are currently no federal rules related to medical cannabis testing.

Submit Samples to start testing today!

R+D Testing

At ACS Laboratory, we conduct R+D testing, intended for manufacturers and cultivators who want to utilize the results to improve the process of creating high-THC products. R&D tests are conducted using the same protocols as compliance tests.

The only difference is that you may select an R+D test individually based on your category of interest, and R+D test results are not reported. On the other hand, you may choose compliance testing if you want a full panel to guarantee that your product is free of all contaminants below.

Submit Samples to start testing today!

Disclaimer: This content is current as of 02/01/2023. It is meant to be a guiding resource and should not be used to replace legal counsel. Please speak to a lawyer to confirm all questions related to compliance testing.

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Federal & Florida Hemp Compliance

Hemp & CBD Compliance Simplified

ISO/IEC 17025 : 2017 ACCREDITED

DEA REGISTERED (#RA0571996)

CLIA Licensed

Florida Compliance

ACS Laboratory, Florida’s largest hemp and cannabis testing laboratory, is designated by the Florida Department of Agriculture.

We provide a Hemp Clippings Service. We offer a full panel of safety and potency tests to ensure your product is ready for sale.

Federal Compliance

ACS Laboratory is a DEA-registered (#RA0571996) and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility.

We comply with the USDA’s recent rules for testing methods, lab designations and electronic reporting systems.

R+D Testing

A la carte R+ D services like Triple Virus Testing for plant health, Micronutrients, Plant Regulators, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Glyphosate, Paraquat, Diquat.

WE ARE USDA- AND STATE-COMPLIANT.

FEDERAL COMPLIANCE

What You Need To Know

After the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted, the federal government drafted regulations related to hemp sales and growth. More than a year later, the USDA issued interim final hemp rules for cultivation and testing.

While these rules are not final yet, they represent a solid foundation for the creation of individual state programs around the country.

Submit Samples to start testing today!

Federal Hemp
Compliance Resources

Overview USDA 2019 Updated Hemp Rules

USDA Interim Hemp Rules

EPA Review of Hemp Pesticides

FDA CBD Investigation

2018 Farm Bill

Laboratory Requirements

According to Florida’s State Hemp Program, all designated labs must be ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited, and utilize testing protocols that are proven reliable.

Based on Florida’s State Hemp Program rules, designated laboratories must report compliance results directly to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

THC Testing

According to the USDA’s rules, hemp plants and extracts must contain less than 0.3% total THC on a dry weight basis, which is defined by the following equation:

TOTAL THC = (%THCA*.877) + %DELTA9

The rules also require that samples are tested via gas or liquid chromatography methods. ACS laboratory meets all requirements.

R+D Testing

Contaminant Testing

The USDA’s regulations do not require pesticide and contaminant testing for industrial hemp; however, most states require safety testing for ingestible extracts and smokable products.

Regarding extracts, the FDA is currently investigating questions about the science, safety and quality of ingestible products made from hemp-derived CBD. While the federal government investigates, Florida (along with other states) has approved hemp-derived extracts, food and supplements.

Our Full Panel Contaminant Test Include

Pesticides

Pathogenic Microbiology

Heavy Metals

Mycotoxins

Residual Solvents (Extracts)

Glyphosate

Submit Samples to start testing today!

WE ARE USDA- AND STATE-COMPLIANT.

FLORIDA COMPLIANCE

What You Need To Know

In July 2019, Florida established a State Hemp Program through Senate Bill 1020. In October 2019, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) submitted proposed rules to the USDA for review. In April 2020, these rules were approved.

ACS Laboratory is up to date and compliant with Florida’s rules for industrial hemp and hemp extracts.

Submit Samples to start testing today!

Florida Hemp
Compliance Resources

Florida Senate Bill 1020

State Hemp Program Rules

Laboratory Requirements

According to Florida’s State Hemp Program, all designated labs must be ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited, DEA-registered (#RA0571996) and utilize testing protocols that are proven reliable.

Based on Florida’s State Hemp Program rules, designated laboratories must report compliance results directly to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

THC Testing

Hemp must contain less than 0.3% total THC on a dry weight basis in order to be eligible for sale. Growers and processors must work with a Florida-designated laboratory that can report the results to the state.

Contaminant
Testing

Florida’s State Hemp Program specifies rules related to usage and allowable limits of pesticides, mycotoxins, pathogenic microbiology, heavy metals and residual solvents.

At ACS Laboratory, we conduct comprehensive panels to ensure that all hemp and CBD are below the proposed limits to ensure their safety for end consumers.

Our Full Panel Contaminant Test Include

Pesticides

Pathogenic Microbiology

Heavy Metals

Mycotoxins

Residual Solvents (Extracts/Edibles)

Glyphosate

At ACS Laboratory, we also conduct R+D testing, intended for manufacturers and cultivators who want to utilize the results to improve the process of creating CBD products. R&D tests are conducted using the same protocols as compliance tests. On the other hand, you would choose compliance testing once R&D testing has been completed and products are known to be within the rules and regulations set forth.

Compliance testing is the final piece of the regulatory puzzle to ensure all products are what they are supposed to be and consumers are provided quality products.

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Florida Hemp Compliance

Florida Hemp Testing Compliance

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 ACCREDITED

DEA REGISTERED (#RA0571996)

CLIA LICENSED

For Cultivators

For Manufacturers & Processors

Laboratory Requirements

Additional Resources

R+D Testing

Request a Test

WE ARE USDA- AND STATE-COMPLIANT.

FLORIDA COMPLIANCE

What You Need To Know

In 2020, Florida created a state hemp program that regulates plant cultivation and ingestible products. Florida’s hemp program does not cover smokable hemp yet. However, this has been added to a recent House bill that will be signed into law in the near future.

Submit Samples to start testing today!

For Hemp Cultivators

Licensing Process

Growers who want to cultivate hemp in Florida must submit a FREE application to the FDACS and adhere to all requirements.

THC Potency Testing

According to Florida law, cultivators must ensure their crops contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.

Sample Collection & Testing

Hemp cultivators must coordinate sample collection with their laboratory and share the results with the FDACS in accordance with the Pre-Harvest Sampling Manual.

Remediation & Retesting

Cultivators have two chances to retest plots that exceed the 0.3% THC limit before the plots must be destroyed.

Rule 5B-57.014 State Hemp Program

The complete 9-page document from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is available for download here.

Licensing Process

Hemp farming hopefuls in Florida must submit a free application to the FDACS to be officially designated in the state. Licensee applicants must:

Pass a background check & submit fingerprints

Submit an environmental containment & transportation plan

Ensure they are using certified seeds & identify the land for cultivation

Follow all guidelines at FDACS.gov

THC Potency Testing

In order to prove their plot is below the legal limit of 0.3% THC, hemp growers must follow a precise sampling protocol and test with a state-designated, DEA-registered (#RA0571996), ISO/IEC 17025:2017 -accredited third-party laboratory.

Plants must be tested 30 days prior to harvest by a designated laboratory

The testing laboratory must submit results to the department within two days of receipt

If a crop exceeds the legal THC limit, cultivators can dispose, destroy or retest

Licensees must wait for department approval before they can harvest the lot

Learn more from Florida’s Hemp Plan

Safety Tests

Hemp cultivators are not responsible for contamination testing. Such safety tests are required by processors and manufacturers who produce ingestible hemp products.

Sample Collection & Testing

At 30 days prior to harvest, hemp licensees must complete a pre-harvest sample submission form and work with an FDACS agent to collect a representative sample from each lot. Growers must:

Assemble sanitized sampling equipment and protective gear

Identify the lot of hemp & divide into 4 equal parts

Assemble 8-inch-long clippings from the primary stem, including floral material

Submit the sample to an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited, independent laboratory.

Learn more on page 30 of the hemp program rules

Pre-Harvest Sample Size Chart

Remediation & Retesting

Cultivators whose samples contain more than 0.3% THC can retest up to two times before they must dispose of the entire plot in accordance with the following guidelines.

Licensee must request a retest within one day of receiving the results

If the retest fails, the cultivator can request the FDACS perform a confirmatory test within one day

If the confirmatory test fails, the crop must be destroyed and the cultivator must notify the department via a Notice of Disposal

Learn more on pages 21-23 of the state hemp program

Submit Samples to start testing today!

For Hemp Processors
& Manufacturers

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Food Safety (FDACS/DFS) oversees rules related to ingestible hemp products, which includes CBD. Hemp extract can only be sold if the product has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) prepared by an independent testing laboratory and is sold in approved packaging.

Licensing Process

Companies that want to process hemp extract in the state must submit an application to the department’s Division of Food Safety.

THC & Safety Testing

According to Florida law, hemp processors must ensure their products contain no more than 0.3% THC and are free from harmful contaminants.

Remediation & Retesting

Processors may remediate and retest products, but they can only sell extracts that are proven safe and compliant.

Labeling & Packaging

Hemp food products must adhere to generic food labeling requirements and specific hemp packaging rules.

Laboratory Requirements

Florid hemp cultivators, processors and food establishments must work with designated independent testing laboratories. Designated laboratories, like ACS must meet the following requirements:

Accredited to the International Organization for Standardization.

Registered with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA #RA0571996) in accordance with 21 CFR 1301.13.

Utilize a Cannabinoid Analysis method included within the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 scope of accreditation.

The ability to deliver results within two days of sample collection.

ACS Laboratory is the largest ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited, DEA registered (#RA0571996), CLIA licensed Hemp/CBD and Cannabis testing facility in the Eastern United States. USDA compliant and officially a “designated laboratory” by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (FDACS/DPI); ACS is the ONLY DEA licensed laboratory that performs all hemp testing in Florida.

State Hemp
Compliance Resources

Florida State Hemp Program and Notice of Disposal

Hemp Cultivation License Application

Hemp Extract Rules

Hemp Field Pre-Harvest Sampling Manual

Hemp Post Harvest Sampling Manuals

R+D Testing

Disclaimer: This content is current as of 02/01/2023. It is meant to be a guiding resource and should not be used to replace legal advice. Please speak to an attorney to confirm all questions related to compliance testing.

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National Compliance Panel

National Hemp Compliance Panel

After the USDA issued its hemp potency testing rules, various states enacted their own hemp programs to ensure consumer safety. Florida, New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Utah issued testing requirements that are more comprehensive than the USDA’s mandates. Hemp brands must ensure their products meet every state rule to remain compliant nationwide.

ACS Laboratory’s National Compliance Panel was built to meet every requirement, ensuring multi-state hemp operators can legally and safely sell high-quality products across the country.

How We Created
The Panel

Step

1 Research

We conducted intense research led by ACS Principal Scientist and Laboratory Director Dr. Aixia Sun, combing through the fine print of every state’s hemp rules and regulations. Our due diligence lasted several months, covering sampling, THC potency, cannabinoids, terpenes, residual solvents, pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and microbiology.

Step

2 Create Compliance Matrix

Using our detailed research, we compared the mandates from each state to create elaborate matrices of every testing category. We extracted the strictest requirements for every class to devise the National Hemp Testing Panel.

Step

3 Update Method Where Needed

After reviewing the maximum allowable limits for various contaminants, we updated our methods and invested in new, highly sensitive instrumentation that could detect the lowest possible levels–up to 10 parts per billion for specific analytes.

Step

1

Fill out this form to let us know what you would like to test for.

Step

2

An ACS specialist will contact you to confirm your request.

Step

3

We will help you with your order forms, testing scope and sample submittal process.

National Panel Tests

01

Cannabinoid Potency

Potency testing measures the cannabinoids present in each hemp sample and the strength of those compounds. We test for 18 cannabinoids to account for every state mandate and beyond.

02

Pesticides

Before launching the National Hemp Testing Panel, we followed Florida's strict national rules, testing for 67 pesticides using the most sensitive Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) equipment. However, recent new requirements from Colorado and California increased our pesticide total to 105.

03

Residual Solvents

Covering every state rule nationwide ensures the cleanest possible hemp-extracted products. Our National Hemp Testing Panel scans for 55 potential residual solvents.

04

Heavy Metals

At the request of many clients, we already follow the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines for pharmaceutical-grade products, which ban 24 heavy metals above a specific action limit and ensure products are safe to consume.

05

Microbiology and Mycotoxins

Before launching the National Panel, we tested for every mycotoxin contaminant required nationwide. However, we revised the action limits to the lowest levels, detecting parts per billion. Our National Panel tests 18 different microorganisms, including salmonella, E. coli, Aspergillus contaminants, and listeria.

06

Moisture and Water Activity

Although most states don’t require moisture and water activity testing, these analyses are critical. Plants with high moisture levels are more likely to develop fungi, mold, and bacteria that can impact product quality and safety.

07

Terpene Concentration

Our National Hemp Testing Panel includes optional terpenes testing. We test for 38 different terpenes.

08

Flavonoid Potency

Flavonoid testing can help brands enhance cannabis marketing and educate consumers on product benefits. Our National Hemp Testing Panel includes optional flavonoid potency testing for 16 different flavonoids.

Why National Compliance Matters

National Compliance Testing ensures products pass the most stringent requirements nationwide, which reduces liability risks and expands market opportunities. USDA and state guidelines require cannabis operators to test all products for potency at a minimum. However, several states go beyond federal compliance standards.

How Accurate Are the Results

ACS is rated in the top 5% in the U.S. for hemp and cannabis testing. In the last two years, ACS received 42 badges for excellence from the Emerald Test, a nationwide Inter-Laboratory Comparison test. Our methods are proven, and we guarantee precision

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Our Credentials

Emerald Proficiency Test

Florida Department of Agriculture

Drug Enforcement Administration

DEA Registered Laboratory

#RA0571996

CLIA Certified

Agency for Health Care Administration

Work with Florida’s
largest in state
designated lab

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) does not allow farmers to clip their own samples for testing. Instead, they must enlist approved third-party laboratories to conduct this task.