Application forms and instructions for their submission can be obtained from: 

American Board of Forensic Toxicology, Inc.
Attn: The Forensic Sciences Foundation Inc.,
410 North 21st Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Phone: (719) 636-1100
Fax: (719) 636-1993

The completed application package should be sent to the Chair of the ABFT Accreditation committee at the address given in the application instructions, together with the application fee of $500, none of which is refundable. Only laboratories who feel they meet the stated requirements for Accreditation should submit applications. 

Completed applications are reviewed by a 5 member Accreditation Committee of the Board, who will assess whether or not the laboratory is ready to submit to an on-site inspection. 

If in the opinion of the Accreditation Committee there are deficiencies which need to be addressed prior to an on-site inspection, the laboratory will be contacted and requested to take corrective action prior to an inspection being scheduled. Documentation of that corrective action may need to be submitted for review. A period of up to 6 months will be given for any necessary corrective action prior to an inspection being scheduled. If the laboratory fails to respond within a 6 month period, the application is considered withdrawn. 

If the corrective action (if any) is satisfactory, an inspection will be scheduled at a time mutually agreed upon by the Accreditation Committee and the applicant laboratory. The laboratory will be notified of the fee for the inspection and subsequent review. The fee is payable in advance. 

An inspection team comprised of 2 inspectors for 2 days or up to 3 inspectors for 3 days, will be arranged, depending upon the size and workload of the laboratory. 

A closing conference will be conducted at the end of the on-site inspection. However, inspectors are instructed not to discuss whether or not they feel the laboratory has "passed" or "failed" the inspection. The inspection reports will be reviewed by the Accreditation Committee. The laboratory will be notified of any corrective action which needs to be taken prior to the granting of accreditation. Documentation of appropriate corrective action will normally be requested by the Accreditation Committee for review.