
CMS has announced that the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program will fully transition to a paperless system by March 1, 2026. Most nursing homes currently hold CLIA certifications – typically through a waiver. As part of the shift, CMS will replace traditional paper communications with an entirely electronic process. Facilities will begin receiving email notifications, electronic fee coupons, and digital CLIA certificates. To prepare, nursing homes that perform laboratory testing must notify CLIALab@mass.gov by email. The notification should include the facility name, the name of the administrator or owner, the CLIA number, and the signature of the administrator or designee. After March 2026, paper fee coupons and CLIA certificates will no longer be issued. Please download this toolkit for details on how to switch, the timeline for doing so and additional resources available to assist with this process.