Frequently Asked Questions - Laboratory Assessments

Submit an Assessment Request. Both an AMRL assessment and AASHTO accreditation are now requested by using this single form. Laboratories must be registered with the AMRL website to submit an Assessment Request. If you have any questions or problems when submitting the request, please contact us at (240) 436-4900, so that we may assist you.

Registering a laboratory with the AMRL website will allow the user to request an assessment electronically, and will also provide the user with access to informative documents, tools, and resources that may assist in the assessment process. To register a laboratory, first obtain an Access Code and Passkey by contacting us at (240) 436-4900 or by clicking here. Once logged in with the assigned Access Code and Passkey, the user will be able to create a unique login associated with their email address and a password of their choosing.

The laboratory will receive a confirmation email that we have received the request for an assessment. When AMRL assessors are visiting your area, a formal announcement notice will be e-mailed to your laboratory three to four weeks before the scheduled assessment date. If you have requested an out-of-sequence assessment, you will be contacted by AMRL to review any additional fees prior to scheduling a date for the assessment.

An assessment consists of an observation of the test procedures for each test selected by the laboratory and an examination of the apparatus used in performing the tests. Laboratories seeking AASHTO accreditation will be evaluated for compliance with AASHTO R18 and other optional quality system standards, if requested (see Program Description above). This part of the assessment will include a review of the laboratory’s policies, procedures, and documentation. At the end of the assessment, the assessor will present a preliminary report of the findings. A typical assessment takes between one and three days.

Please see the Accreditation FAQs.

Assessment Preparation Lists are available on the AMRL website. These documents describe steps a laboratory should take to prepare for each test that they will present during the assessment. The lists include information regarding sample preparation and testing guidance. In addition, test method worksheets which cover the apparatus and procedural requirements for each test method are available to registered users of the website.

AMRL completes a tour of all laboratories within an approximate 18-24 month interval. View the schedule to determine if we will be visiting your area in the near future. If a laboratory requires an on-site assessment at a time that is not in agreement with our planned visit to their area, additional fees may apply for an “out-of-sequence” laboratory assessment.

The fees associated with the assessment will vary depending upon the scope of tests that the laboratory has requested. A complete description of the costs associated with an on-site laboratory assessment are described here. In addition, a laboratory will be able to view the calculated total cost for their assessment when submitting an Assessment Request on the AMRL website (see “How do I get started?” below).

Canceling an assessment within 14 days of the scheduled start date will result in a cancellation fee of $500. To avoid cancellation fees, we encourage laboratories to let us know ahead of time if there is a scheduling conflict during the time that we are scheduled to be in your area. The current tour schedule may be viewed by clicking here.

A laboratory typically receives a final copy of their assessment report three to four weeks after the assessment has been completed. A laboratory may also view an electronic version of their assessment report by logging in to the AMRL website and clicking on the “My Tab” tab. Laboratories that are seeking AASHTO Accreditation must resolve all Nonconformities in their assessment report within 90 days of the report issue date. Please click on the “AASHTO Accreditation” tab above for more information.

No, the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) performs assessments in the fields of concrete, cement, and mortar. To learn more, visit CCRL’s website.