NISTHB 150-5-2020

NVLAP

Construction

Materials

Testing

Thomas Hettenhouser

Timothy Rasinski

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https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.HB.150-5-2020
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NISTHB 150-5-2020

NVLAP

Construction

Materials

Testing

Thomas Hettenhouser

Timothy Rasinski

National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program

Standards Coordination Office

Laboratory Programs

This publication is available free of charge from:

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.HB.150-5-2020

May 2020

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Walter G. Copan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director
Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this

document in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately.

Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the

National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply that the

entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose. 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 150-5-2020

Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. Handbook 150-5-2020, 17 pages (May 2020) 

This publication is available free of charge from:

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.HB.150-5-2020
NVLAP AND THE NVLAP LOGO

The term NVLAP and the NVLAP logo are federally 

registered certification marks of the National Institute 

of Standards and Technology and the federal 

government, who retain exclusive rights to control the 

use thereof. Permission to use the term and/or logo is 

granted to NVLAP-accredited laboratories for the 

limited purposes of announcing their accredited status, 

and for use on reports that describe only testing and 

calibration within the scope of accreditation. NIST 

reserves the right to control the quality of the use of 

the term NVLAP and of the NVLAP logo.
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 iii

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Contents

Foreword....................................................................................................................................................... v

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. vi

1 General information.............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Organization of handbook .......................................................................................................... 1

1.3 Program description.................................................................................................................... 1

1.4 References .................................................................................................................................. 2

1.5 Terms and definitions................................................................................................................. 2

1.6 Program documentation.............................................................................................................. 2

2 LAP establishment, development and implementation ........................................................................ 3

3 Accreditation process............................................................................................................................ 3

3.1 General ....................................................................................................................................... 3

3.2 Management system review ....................................................................................................... 3

3.3 Onsite assessment....................................................................................................................... 3

3.4 Proficiency testing...................................................................................................................... 5

4 General Requirements........................................................................................................................... 5

4.1 Impartiality ................................................................................................................................. 5

4.2 Confidentiality............................................................................................................................ 5

5 Structural Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 5

6 Resource Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 5

6.1 General ....................................................................................................................................... 5

6.2 Personnel .................................................................................................................................... 5

6.3 Facilities and environmental conditions..................................................................................... 5

6.4 Equipment................................................................................................................................... 6

6.5 Metrological traceability ............................................................................................................ 6

6.6 Externally provided products and services................................................................................. 6

7 Process Requirements........................................................................................................................... 6

7.1 Review of requests, tenders and contracts.................................................................................. 6

7.2 Selection, verification and validation of methods...................................................................... 6

7.3 Sampling..................................................................................................................................... 6

7.4 Handling of test or calibration items .......................................................................................... 6

7.5 Technical records........................................................................................................................ 6

7.6 Evaluation of measurement uncertainty ..................................................................................... 6

7.7 Ensuring the validity of results................................................................................................... 7

7.8 Reporting of results .................................................................................................................... 7

7.9 Complaints.................................................................................................................................. 7

7.10 Nonconforming work ................................................................................................................. 7

7.11 Control of data and information management............................................................................ 7
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 iv

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8 Management system requirements........................................................................................................ 7

8.1 Options ....................................................................................................................................... 7

8.2 Management system documentation .......................................................................................... 7

8.3 Control of management system documents................................................................................ 7

8.4 Control of records....................................................................................................................... 7

8.5 Actions to address risks and opportunities................................................................................. 8

8.6 Improvement............................................................................................................................... 8

8.7 Corrective actions....................................................................................................................... 8

8.8 Internal audits............................................................................................................................. 8

8.9 Management reviews.................................................................................................................. 8
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 v

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Foreword

The NIST Handbook 150 publication series sets forth the procedures, requirements, and guidance for the 

accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation 

Program (NVLAP). The series is comprised of the following publications:

• NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements, which contains the general 

procedures and requirements under which NVLAP operates as an unbiased third-party accreditation 

body; and

• NIST Handbook 150-xx program-specific handbooks, which supplement NIST Handbook 150 by 

providing additional requirements, guidance, and interpretive information applicable to specific 

NVLAP laboratory accreditation programs (LAPs).

The program-specific handbooks are not stand-alone documents, but rather are companion documents to 

NIST Handbook 150 and the referenced ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. They tailor the general criteria found 

referenced in NIST Handbook 150 to the specific tests, calibrations, or types of tests or calibrations covered 

by a LAP.

NIST Handbook 150-5, Construction Materials Testing, presents the technical requirements and guidance 

for the accreditation of laboratories under the Construction Materials Testing (CMT) LAP. The 2020 edition 

incorporates changes resulting from the release of the 2017 edition of ISO/IEC 17025, General 

requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and NIST Handbook 150, as well 

as editorial improvements. The 2020 edition of NIST Handbook 150-5 supersedes and replaces the 2005 

edition.

The handbook was revised with the participation of technical experts in the field of construction materials 

testing and was approved by NVLAP. The following main changes have been made to this handbook with 

respect to the previous edition:

• all references to applicable international guides and standards have been updated;

• the numbering has been updated to reflect that used by ISO/IEC 17025:2017, General requirements for 

the competence of testing and calibration laboratories (hereafter referred to as ISO/IC 17025);

• redundant requirements for specific equipment, records, etc., found in the various standards for test 

methods used in the program were removed. 

This handbook is also available on the NVLAP web site (https://www.nist.gov/nvlap).

Questions or comments concerning this handbook should be submitted to NVLAP, National Institute of 

Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899-2140; phone: 301-975-

4016; fax: 301-926-2884; e-mail: nvlap@nist.gov.
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 vi

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Introduction

The Construction Materials Testing laboratory accreditation program (LAP) began in 1978 as the Concrete

LAP. The program gradually expanded beyond concrete testing to include other testing areas such as 

admixtures, aggregates, cement, geotextiles, road and paving materials, soil and rock, and steel materials. 

NVLAP accreditation is based on the evaluation of a laboratory's technical qualifications and competence 

for conducting specific standard test methods in construction materials testing. Test methods that relate to 

this program may be developed by a trade, professional, governmental, or standards-writing organization.

Accreditation is available to any laboratory (including commercial, manufacturer, university, and federal, 

state, and local government laboratories) that tests in accordance with standard construction materials test 

methods. A foreign-based laboratory may also be accredited by NVLAP if the laboratory meets the same 

requirements as domestic laboratories and pays any required additional fees associated with conducting the 

onsite assessment. 

To be granted accreditation, a laboratory shall satisfy the NVLAP requirements contained in NIST 

Handbook 150, this handbook, and test methods on the (proposed) scope of accreditation.
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 1

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1 General information

1.1 Scope

1.1.1 NIST Handbook 150-5 specifies technical requirements and provides guidance for NVLAP 

accreditation of laboratories that provide construction materials testing. It supplements NVLAP general 

requirements found in ISO/IEC 17025 by tailoring the general criteria found in ISO/IEC 17025 to the 

specific tests and types of tests covered by the CMT LAP. 

1.1.2 ISO/IEC 17025, NIST Handbook 150, this handbook, and test methods indicated on the (proposed) 

scope of accreditation constitute the collective body of requirements that must be met by a laboratory 

seeking NVLAP accreditation for the CMT LAP.

1.1.3 This handbook is intended for information and use by accredited construction materials testing 

laboratories, assessors conducting onsite assessments, laboratories seeking accreditation, other laboratory 

accreditation systems, users of laboratory services, and others needing information on the requirements for 

NVLAP accreditation under the CMT LAP.

1.2 Organization of handbook

The numbering and titles of this handbook match those of ISO/IEC 17025. The primary subclauses in 

clauses 4 through 8 (e.g., 4.1, 4.2, etc.) are also numbered and titled to correspond with those of ISO/IEC 

17025, even when there are no requirements additional to those in ISO/IEC 17025.

1.3 Program description

1.3.1 This accreditation program is designed to satisfy the requirements of contractors, state and local 

governments, and federal agencies specifying accreditation for construction materials testing laboratories.

1.3.2 Accreditation is available for standard test methods in the areas of admixtures, aggregates, cement, 

concrete, geotextiles, road and paving materials, soil and rock, steel materials and other areas as deemed 

necessary. 

1.3.3 A listing of the test methods included in the program is given in the test methods and calibration 

parameter listing available on the NVLAP website. The list is grouped by the program “product testing,”

then by “construction materials.” Once at the construction materials program level, the tests are grouped 

by:

• admixtures;

• aggregates;

• cement;

• concrete;

• geotextiles;

• road and paving materials;

• soil and rock;

• standard practices and specifications;
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 2

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• steel materials; and

• fireproofing.

1.4 References

The following documents are referenced in this handbook. For dated references, only the edition cited 

applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) 

shall apply within one year of publication or within another time limit specified by regulations or other 

requirement documents.

— NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements

— ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

— IEEE Standard 1012, IEEE Standard for Software Verification and Validation

— ASTM C125, Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates

— ASTM C219, Standard Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement

1.5 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this handbook, the terms and definitions given in NIST Handbook 150, ASTM C125 

and ASTM C219, and the standards for which the laboratory seeks accreditation apply.

1.6 Program documentation

1.6.1 General

Assessors use NVLAP checklists and test method review summary forms to ensure assessment consistency. 

Checklists assist assessors in documenting compliance with the NVLAP requirements found in NIST

Handbook 150, ISO/IEC 17025, this handbook, and the specific test methods for which accreditation is 

requested. Checklists and test method review summary forms are part of the Onsite Assessment Report (see 

NIST Handbook 150). These documents are available on the NVLAP website.

1.6.2 NVLAP General Criteria Checklist

All NVLAP programs use the NVLAP General Criteria Checklist (ISO/IEC 17025) (formerly called the 

NIST Handbook 150 Checklist), which contains the requirements published in ISO/IEC 17025 and NIST 

Handbook 150. The checklist items are numbered to correspond to clauses 4 through 8 of ISO/IEC 17025

and annexes A, B, and E of NIST Handbook 150.

1.6.3 NIST Handbook 150-5 Checklist

The NIST Handbook 150-5 Checklist (also referred to as the CMT Program-Specific Checklist) addresses 

the requirements specific to construction materials testing given in NIST Handbook 150-5.
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 3

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1.6.4 Test Method Review Summary

Because of the very large number of relevant standards and test methods in the CMT LAP, the assessor 

uses Test Method Review Summary forms, along with applicable checklists, to evaluate the laboratory’s 

compliance to the test methods. The evaluation of the test methods by the assessor ranges from observing 

tests to having laboratory staff describe the test procedures. The assessor notes on the Test Method Review 

Summary document the depth into which each part of the test method was reviewed (observed test, 

examined apparatus, walked/talked through test, listened to description of procedures).

1.6.5 NVLAP lab bulletins

NVLAP lab bulletins are issued to laboratories and assessors, when needed, to clarify program-specific 

requirements and to provide information about the most current program additions and changes. Lab 

bulletins providing additions or changes to the current program will supersede the requirements of the 

current published handbook until the additions or changes are published in a revision of the handbook. Lab 

bulletins are posted on the program-specific handbooks page of the NVLAP website.

2 LAP establishment, development and implementation

This clause contains no information additional to that provided in NIST Handbook 150, clause 2.

3 Accreditation process

3.1 General

An overview of the laboratory accreditation process is provided in NIST Handbook 150, clause 3, and 

includes information pertaining to application for accreditation; onsite assessment; proficiency testing; 

accreditation decision; granting accreditation; renewal of accreditation; changes to scope of accreditation; 

monitoring visits; and suspension, denial, revocation, and voluntary termination of accreditation.

3.2 Management system review

Prior to the onsite assessment, the assigned assessor will review all relevant management system

documentation against NVLAP requirements, including the requirements of this handbook, NIST 

Handbook 150, and ISO/IEC 17025. During this review, the assessor may request additional management 

system documents and/or records, which will be returned upon request.

3.3 Onsite assessment

3.3.1 General information

3.3.1.1 The purpose of the onsite assessment is to determine the laboratory’s compliance with ISO/IEC 

17025, NIST Handbook 150, this handbook, and its own management system and to assess the capability 

and competence of the testing activities for which accreditation is being requested.

3.3.1.2 Testing performed at locations other than the primary facility covered under the accreditation will 

be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine the extent of onsite review necessary.
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 4

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3.3.1.3 Prior to the onsite assessment, the NVLAP assessor will provide a preliminary agenda. The 

laboratory may not be granted accreditation or accreditations renewed for any test method where it is not 

prepared to conduct test demonstrations, does not have equipment in good working order, and/or is not 

ready for examination according to the requirements identified in ISO/IEC 17025, this handbook, and NIST 

Handbook 150.

3.3.1.4 In addition to the checklists, to help assure the completeness, objectivity, and uniformity of the 

onsite assessment, the assessor uses the NVLAP Test Method Review Summary form to review the 

capability of laboratory personnel to perform testing for which accreditation is sought. The test method

review ranges from observing tests to having laboratory staff describe the test procedures. The assessor 

notes the depth to which each part of the test method was reviewed and records the results of the review.

3.3.2 Typical onsite assessment

The NVLAP assessor performs the following activities during a typical onsite assessment:

a) Conducts an opening meeting with the laboratory to explain the purpose of the onsite visit and to 

discuss the schedule for the day(s). At the discretion of the laboratory manager, other staff may attend 

the meeting.

b) Reviews laboratory documentation not provided for review prior to the assessment, including the 

management system, equipment and maintenance records, record-keeping procedures, testing 

procedures, laboratory test records and reports, personnel competency records, personnel training 

plans and records, and safeguards for the protection of sensitive and proprietary information.

At least one laboratory staff member shall be available to answer questions; however, the assessor 

may request to review the documents and records alone. 

c) Examines equipment and facilities, observes demonstration of selected procedures by the appropriate 

personnel assigned to conduct the tests, and interviews those personnel. The demonstrations 

requested may be selective or all-inclusive and shall include use of test devices, preparation of test 

device, establishment of test conditions, and setup/use of major equipment. The assessor will also 

review the test data and examine the hardware/software for functionality and appropriateness.

d) Completes an Onsite Assessment Report, which contains the NVLAP Onsite Assessment Signature 

Sheet with Narrative Summary, NVLAP General Criteria Checklist (ISO/IEC 17025), NIST 

Handbook 150-5 Checklist, and the Test Method Review Summary. The assessor will also enter any 

nonconformities and/or comments into the NVLAP interactive website (NIWS).

e) Conducts a closing meeting with the laboratory to explain the findings of the visit. At the closing 

meeting, the report shall be signed by the assessor and the laboratory’s authorized representative to 

acknowledge the discussion of the outcome of the onsite assessment. The authorized representative’s 

signature does not necessarily indicate agreement, merely receipt, and challenges may be made 

through NVLAP. The process for resolving nonconformities identified during the onsite is 

documented in NIST Handbook 150.
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 5

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3.4 Proficiency testing

3.4.1 Proficiency testing is conducted by a proficiency testing (PT) provider that is acceptable to

NVLAP. Please refer to the program specific web page or contact your program manager for information.

3.4.2 The proficiency testing results will be monitored by NVLAP. The laboratory's accreditation may 

be suspended if the proficiency testing results indicate unsatisfactory performance for two consecutive 

rounds of proficiency samples.

4 General Requirements

4.1 Impartiality

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

4.2 Confidentiality

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

5 Structural Requirements

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

6 Resource Requirements

6.1 General

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

6.2 Personnel

6.2.1 If the standard practice(s) for which the laboratory desires accreditation specifies that the laboratory 

operate under the technical direction of a full-time professional engineer (PE), the laboratory shall have a 

full time PE.

6.2.2 For each staff member, the staff member’s immediate supervisor, or a designee appointed by the 

laboratory director, shall conduct annually an assessment and an observation of performance. These annual 

performance reviews shall be documented, dated, signed by the supervisor and the employee, retained in 

the personnel file, and be available for review by the assessor.

6.3 Facilities and environmental conditions
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 6

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There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

6.4 Equipment

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

6.5 Metrological traceability

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

6.6 Externally provided products and services

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

7 Process Requirements

7.1 Review of requests, tenders and contracts

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

7.2 Selection, verification and validation of methods

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

7.3 Sampling

All requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 for sampling apply to subsampling. When a laboratory tests some 

subset of the test item(s) supplied by the customer, it is subsampling.

7.4 Handling of test or calibration items

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

7.5 Technical records

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

7.6 Evaluation of measurement uncertainty

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 7

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7.7 Ensuring the validity of results

7.7.1 The laboratory’s procedure for monitoring the validity of results shall apply to each test method on 

the scope of accreditation and address the requirements in sections 7.7.1 and 7.7.3 of ISO/IEC 17025.

7.7.2 The laboratory shall participate in PT as described in section 3.4.1.

7.8 Reporting of results

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

7.9 Complaints

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

7.10 Nonconforming work

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

7.11 Control of data and information management

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

8 Management system requirements

8.1 Options

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

8.2 Management system documentation 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

8.3 Control of management system documents 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

8.4 Control of records 

All records related to the scope of accreditation will be held for 3 years.
NIST Handbook 150-5:2020 8

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8.5 Actions to address risks and opportunities 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

8.6 Improvement

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

8.7 Corrective actions 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in ISO/IEC 17025.

8.8 Internal audits 

An applicant laboratory shall conduct at least one complete internal audit prior to the first onsite assessment.

8.9 Management reviews 

An applicant laboratory shall perform at least one complete management review prior to the first onsite 

assessment.