Certified Labs and Testing

Tap Score only works with independent, certified labs

Tap Score offers water testing by independent laboratories that are certified to ISO/IEC 17025, the global standard for analytical quality and accuracy. That does not mean every test is separately certified or approved by a regulatory agency. Some tests are informational, some support certification needs, and some are intended for compliance use. In this guide, we explain the difference between informational, certified, and compliance testing so you can choose the right type of test for your situation.

 

Are the Laboratories in Tap Score’s Network Certified?

Yes. All laboratories used by Tap Score are certified to the ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

This means:

  • Labs meet strict international quality standards for certification of the laboratory quality systems and analytical procedures (SOPs).
  • Analytical procedures are compared to established methods and regularly audited by third-party accrediting bodies.
  • Results are reliable and accurate.
  • These certifications are issued by national or state accrediting bodies.

Why doesn’t the lab report from Tap Score list a specific accreditation?

Tap Score works with a network of 250+ certified laboratories, each with different accreditations depending on the test and location.

To keep reports easy to understand, results are presented in a standardized format for informational use. If you need documentation for a specific lab certification, get in touch with us and we can help provide it.

What does it mean to be an independent lab?

Put simply, an independent lab is a third-party facility owned and operated without any ties to commercial or financial entities that might influence result reporting. For example, some labs are owned by water filtration companies, which may — or may not — impact their evaluations. With third-party, independent labs, integrity is a certainty.


Are Tap Score Water Tests Certified?

It's important to distinguish between certified tests and certified labs. 

For the majority of people testing their tap water at home the important question is whether the lab testing the water is certified to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. 

"Certified testing" on the other hand, is typically only required in certain situations related to regulation or official documentation. See “Do I need certified testing” below.

Tap Score offers both certified and informational water testing options.

  • Certified tests are tests run by a specific lab and method approved by federal or state agencies to meet specific regulatory standards.
  • Compliance tests are certified tests where results must be submitted to a regulatory agency.
  • Informational tests are designed for homeowners and small businesses who want to understand their water quality but do not need to submit results. These tests are run by a certified lab but do not require specific method and analyte-level certifications.

Most customers choose informational testing because it is more affordable and still provides high-quality, reliable insights for making decisions about their water. Customers further certification at the lab, method and analyte level can speak with our customer service team about their best options.

Does Tap Score have its own certification or accreditation?

No. Tap Score is not a laboratory. Instead, we work with a network of certified laboratories across the U.S., each with their own accreditations.


What Does ISO 17025 Mean?

ISO/IEC 17025 is the global standard for laboratory testing quality and accuracy, set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

It’s the benchmark that state and national accrediting bodies use to evaluate laboratories for competence and impartiality, helping ensure consistent, high-quality testing across the board.

For you, this means:

  • Accurate and reliable results
  • Proper quality control and calibration
  • Testing performed by qualified professionals

In short, ISO 17025 accreditation ensures your water is being tested by laboratories that meet strict, internationally recognized standards, so you can trust the results.


What’s the Difference Between Informational and Compliance Testing?

 

Informational Testing

  • Best for homeowners curious about what is in their water
  • Lower cost 
  • Buyer collection of their own samples
  • Not intended for certification compliance or regulatory submission

Certified or Compliance Testing

  • Required for complying with a federal or state regulation or for legal purposes
  • May be required to follow stricter sampling and documentation protocols
  • Often requires professional, third-party sampling
  • Requirements to submit final results to an agency or specific to a transaction or event


Do I Need Certified Water Testing?

Most people do not need certified testing.

You may need certified testing if:

  • Required by your state, county, or or other agency
  • You are involved in real estate transactions
  • You operate a business or regulated facility
  • You must submit results for legal or compliance purposes

If you're simply trying to understand your water quality at home, informational testing is usually sufficient.


Is Informational Testing Still Accurate?

Yes! Informational testing:

  • Uses the same certified laboratories that perform compliance testing
  • Follows the same established analytical methods and procedures (SOPs)
  • May have less restrictions on customer sampling or shipping time

For most use cases, it provides reliable and accurate insights.


Are Tap Score Results Acceptable for Regulatory Submission?

Only specifically identified certified testing packages are designed for regulatory submission.

If you need results for:

  • Government agencies
  • Permits
  • Legal documentation

Make sure to check your specific situation and if you are looking for compliance with a home loan standard,  select a certified test. Otherwise, for additional certified testing situations, request a custom quote (more information below), if applicable.


How Do I Choose the Right Testing Option?

A simple rule of thumb:

  • Just curious about your water? → Informational testing
  • Required to submit results or have legal concerns? → Certified testing

If you’re unsure, our team can help you choose the right option.

Chat with the water experts


Why Aren’t All Water Tests “Certified”?

Not all water tests can be certified, and this is normal in the testing industry.

There are three common scenarios:

  1. A certification exists for a test or method and the lab holds it
     → The test can be used for regulatory compliance
  2. A certification exists for a test or method, but the lab does not hold it
     → The test is still performed using validated methods, but is not certified by an agency. 
  3. No certification exists for that specific test or method
     → This often applies to emerging contaminants or newer testing methods

In all cases, testing is still conducted by certified laboratories following established methods and procedures (SOPs). 


Can I Choose Certified Testing if Needed?

Yes. Tap Score offers several certified  testing options specifically for home loan compliance across North America.

Because requirements vary by:

  • State
  • Contaminant
  • Industry

Certified testing is typically custom-quoted.

Contact our team to get a compliance testing quote within 24 hours.

Request Form

Certified Compliance Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

We know the subject of accreditation and certification is tricky. Reach out if you did not find the answer you were looking for.

Need help?

What’s the difference between accreditation and certification?

There is no practical difference between the terms accreditation and a certification. The terms “accreditation” and “certification” are often used interchangeably by different agencies to describe the same idea: that a laboratory has been evaluated and approved to perform certain types of testing.

In the U.S., drinking water testing is regulated through a mix of state and national accreditation programs.

Each state sets its own requirements for how laboratories are evaluated and approved, which means there isn’t one universal system. Instead, labs must meet specific standards based on where and how testing is performed.

What is the difference between ELAP and NELAC/NELAP?

These are different types of accreditation programs:

ELAP (Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program):
A state-run accreditation program. Each state with ELAP sets and manages its own requirements.

NELAC (National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference):
Developed national standards for laboratory accreditation.

NELAP (National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program):
A program based on those standards, used by a group of participating states (currently limited to a subset of U.S. states).

Both approaches are built around the same core goal: ensuring labs meet consistent quality standards.

Is there one certification for all US drinking water tests?

No. There is no single nationwide certification. Instead, each state maintains its own accreditation program, based on the ISO 17025 standard.

This means certification depends on:

  • The state
  • The specific test (analyte and method)
  • The intended use of the results

What is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)?

The SDWA is a federal law that protects public drinking water in the U.S. 

SDWA:

  • Sets national standards for water quality
  • Is overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Regulates contaminants in public water systems

Does the EPA certify laboratories?

No. The EPA sets standards and regulations, but laboratory certification is handled by state or third-party accrediting bodies, not the EPA directly.

What is an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)?

An SOP is a laboratory’s step-by-step procedure for performing a specific test.

For certified testing:

  • SOPs must align with approved analytical methods
  • They are reviewed by accrediting bodies
  • They help ensure consistency and accuracy in results

What if I need a specific certification?

If you need testing that meets a specific regulatory requirement, we recommend reaching out before purchasing.

Is there a list of all your labs' certifications?

You can see a list of all certifications held by labs in the lab network used by Tap Score here:

See all lab certifications