Question: Do labs need to be CLIA-certified before performing coronavirus testing?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Laboratory Testing and COVID-19
section_headers: For All Laboratories: Accessing Laboratory Testing
My facility would like to begin SARS-CoV-2 testing. Do we need a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certificate? Can my facility be granted a waiver from the CLIA certification requirements so that I can begin testing immediately?
section_content: Before conducting SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, a laboratory must be CLIA-
certified and meet applicable regulatory requirements. The Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) does not have the authority to grant
waivers of exceptions that are not established in a statute or regulation. For
additional information, please refer to the FAQs on the CMS website: CMS
Coronavirus Informationexternal icon.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
It directly states that a lab needs that certification.
This answer is efficient and to the point of answering the question.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Laboratory Testing and COVID-19
section_headers: For All Laboratories: Accessing Laboratory Testing
How do I apply for a CLIA certificate so that my testing facility can perform SARS-CoV-2 testing?
section_content: The federal CLIA program contracts with states to carry out certain oversight
and recording functions of the CLIA program. The state in which the laboratory
is located processes applications for CLIA certificates. After the laboratory
has identified a qualified and certified laboratory directorexternal
icon and has
provided all required information on the CMS-116 application, a CLIA number
will be assigned and the laboratory can begin testing if applicable CLIA
requirements have been met. For additional information, please refer to the
FAQs on the CMS website: CMS Coronavirus Informationexternal
icon.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
It talks about the program, but not really if it is necessary to do the testing.
This answer does not relate to if CLIA approval is required for COVID-19 tests.

Reviewer ratings:
Could be Improved
Bad

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Testing, Diagnosis, and Notification
How do you test a patient for infection with SARS-CoV-2?
section_content: 
Clinicians are able to access laboratory testing through state and local public health laboratories, as well as commercial and clinical laboratories across the country. The Association of Public Health Laboratoriesexternal icon provides a list of states and territories with laboratories that are using COVID-19 viral tests. For more information, see Testing in U.S. Clinicians should direct testing questions to their state health departments. Commercial reference laboratories are also able to offer a larger volume of testing for SARS-CoV-2.
CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are at the discretion of state and local health departments and/or individual clinicians.
Healthcare providers should report positive results to their local/state health department CDC does not directly collect these data directly.
See recommendations for prioritization of testing, and instructions for specimen collection at Evaluating and Testing Persons for COVID-19.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
This answer does not relate to the question of where CLIA approval is required for testing for COVID-19.
This talks about the testing, but really doesn't answer the question.  The question is about a certification.  Nothing is said in the answer about the certification.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Could be Improved