NAPT FAQs
Browse our FAQs to find answers to commonly asked questions about NAPT, Software, Membership and more
Company Info
NAPT is an ISO/IEC 17043 accredited proficiency testing provider, and the only one that offering a comprehensive suite of proficiency tests to meet all your needs. You can review our scope of accreditation on our website. While we are proud of our accreditation, we believe that being a first-class proficiency testing provider goes beyond simply being accredited. Our commitment to exceptional service, number and variety of tests offered, and the quality of our value-added proficiency tests are just a few reasons why NAPT stands out. We invite you to compare our services with other providers. After reviewing everything NAPT offers, we believe you’ll agree—there truly is no comparison.
NAPT provides proficiency testing services and related tools to its customers. The only consulting NAPT offers is associated with its products. NAPT does not provide consultancy for the development of uncertainty budgets, corrective action investigations, root cause analysis, or other functions as a result of an unsatisfactory performance in a proficiency test (PT). In accordance with the ISO 17043 standard, NAPT offers independent, third-party PTs and believes the provision of consulting services associated with these functions would jeopardize their independence.
NAPT serves participates accredited by all major accrediting bodies. As a result, we maintain a long-standing policy of neutrality and do not advertise for any one accrediting body— we like them all. Additionally, NAPT is accredited to ISO/IEC 17043, ensuring that all of our reports are recognized and accepted by all accreditation bodies.
Simple answer: NAPT could not provide the services it does to the metrology community without it being nonprofit. Only because of the numerous sponsors, the donation of the kits, the volunteering of the technical advisors that assist in the design of the schemes and the one-on-one help given to members are we successful. All this could only happen in a nonprofit environment. In short, NAPT exists because of the metrology community supporting the services NAPT provides back to the metrology community.
When comparing NAPT to other metrology proficiency testing (PT) providers, the difference is clear. Unlike providers who offer PTs as a side service, NAPT is backed by a full-time, dedicated staff focused solely on proficiency testing. We offer access to technical guidance from over 50 metrology experts, unmatched expertise, and The best customer portal of any PT provider. Your data isn’t just reviewed in isolation — it’s compared against submissions from over 100 peer organizations, giving you valuable benchmarking and insight. At NAPT, we like to say to new participants: “We dare you to compare NAPT to anyone else. “Once you do, you’ll see — there truly is no comparison.
As an accredited Proficiency Testing provider, NAPT reports are recognized and accepted by all the leading accreditation bodies.
Customer Portal
Organizations can create a Proficiency Testing (PT) Plan directly within their NAPT Customer Portal. Upon request, NAPT staff are available to assist with the development a PT plan. This is a collaborative process, usually involving a review of the organization’s scope of accreditation and the use of planning tools available in the portal. Once a proposed plan is drafted, it is the organization’s responsibility to review, approve, and notify NAPT of any desired enrollments. This free tool can be used to build a plan that includes both Full-Service kits and the use of the NAPT Intra Wizard, depending on the organization’s needs. Ultimately, the organization owns its PT Plan and is responsible for taking any necessary actions to comply with it. If the organization would like NAPT to follow the plan directly, it must clearly communicate that intent to NAPT staff.
To regain access to the NAPT Customer Portal you may: #1 Reset your password on your own by selecting ‘Forgot Password’ from the login page. An email with further details will be automatically sent to the email address NAPT has associated with your profile. #2 Contact NAPT Staff and request to confirm/update your login credentials. Access to the NAPT Customer Portal relies heavily on a valid email address and password. If you happen to have recently changed your email address or suspect NAPT may not have your most up-to-date information, be sure to get in touch with NAPT Staff at your earliest convenience for assistance.
There could be several reasons: You didn’t send in your receiving form. The enrollment fee hasn’t been paid. You aren’t in the correct area in your portal – please make sure you in the NAPT ILC-PTs tab. Contact NAPT staff if you require further assistance.
If your kit is not in the customer portal, chances are it was not fully processed. Please contact NAPT staff to check the details for your request.
General Info
No, we cannot. The participants are anonymous and may not be disclosed by NAPT. Please do not reach out to other labs you may know that are enrolled as that would be a violation of your enrollment.
No. It is the responsibility of the laboratory submitting results to calculate all uncertainties associated with their measurements. It is not NAPT’s role to state whether a reported uncertainty is correct or not; that oversight lies with your organization’s management and, ultimately, the accrediting body that granted your accreditation. The uncertainty of a measurement is a mathematical function calculated by the identity performing the measurement.
Screw-knob weights: Weights in this category are usually cleaned by wiping with a soft non-abrasive material such as high-grade cheesecloth, free from oils or other substances that would leave a residue of any kind on the surface. Occasionally, a weight will have foreign matter adhering to it that requires cleaning by using solvents, applied with a cloth. Ethyl alcohol is a good general solvent. If alcohol does not remove the foreign material, other solvents may be used. Alcohol is then used to remove any film left by the other solvents. Weights with internal cavities should not be immersed in the solvent to avoid the possibility that the fluid will penetrate the opening. Daily/Periodic Cleaning:(Non-sheet metal weights) Before each use clean all weights with a camel hair or other suitable soft brush to remove any particles that might have settled on the weight. Remember to pay special attention to the bottom surfaces, since these tend to be overlooked. One may also use a syringe bulb or compressed air to remove loose particles. If compressed air is used, especially if it comes from a can, the temperature of the weight may be affected, and the weight should not be used for at least 4 hours to allow the weight to return to thermal equilibrium with the environment. If particles are not removed easily, spot cleaning may be necessary. Spot Cleaning: Spot cleaning is recommended when foreign matter is observed on weights that cannot be removed using daily/periodic cleaning methods. Use cheesecloth dampened with ethyl alcohol and gently rub the weight surface in order to remove any residual or stubborn debris from the weight surface. If using alcohol does not remove the foreign debris, repeat the process using other solvents such as window cleaner or distilled water. If solvents other than distilled water and alcohol are used, the weights should be cleaned again using alcohol to remove any residual solvent from the weight. For sheet metal weights or other weights made out of aluminum, alcohol should never be used since alcohol can deteriorate aluminum. After spot cleaning, OIML Class (F2 to M3) weights should not be used for a period of at least 1 hours in order for the weight to return to thermal equilibrium with the environment. References:
The main goal of any enrollment is to compare measurements using your processes and reference values and evaluate your results against other like organizations.
For each enrollment, one set of data is standard. However, many organizations submit data for each technician qualified to perform the specific measurement. If you would like to add additional technicians to your enrollment, please contact NAPT. NAPT Members can have two additional data submittals per enrollment at no additional cost. For non-members, a small fee applies for each additional technician added.
The NAPT Intra Wizard allows you to reuse an existing Artifact and Scheme from Intra to Intra. Typically, organizations will do this if they have designed an Intra and wish to retest individuals on a regular basis. Once you have selected your participants, click on the next button to review the Intra.
A purchase order is not proof of payment. It is NAPT policy to not issue any report unless enrollment fees have been paid in full. NAPT accepts enrollment fees via credit card, electronic transfer or by a check issued to NAPT.
Try out our online demo on our website, consult with our technical staff who designed the app, or with our lead programmer – set up a personal web meeting by contacting NAPT staff and let them know your preference. HTTPs://proficiencystg.wpenginepowered.com/Services/Accreditation-Manager
Yes, please feel free to call us at 952-303-6126—NAPT staff is here to help. You may also reach out by filling out the “Contact NAPT Staff” form located in your NAPT Customer Portal under the Forms section. Alternatively, you can email us directly at napt@proficiency.org for assistance.
It is common that mercury can separate as part of the shipping of an artifact. It is standard procedure to combine the mercury if it separates. Participants should slowly heat the thermometer so the mercury combines in the top chamber. Once up to mercury has collected at the top, gently tap the side of the thermometer to release the mercury above it.
Shipping kits to laboratories outside the continental United States incurs additional costs. As a result, all international participants are responsible for covering their portion of any import/export duties, taxes, and related shipping fees. NAPT makes every effort to reduce these expenses by coordinating and grouping international participates whenever possible.
The reference value is the value against which your results are compared. In any proficiency test, the validity of the results depends on the quality and reliability of the established reference values. NAPT’s process for establishing reference values was designed in collaboration with leading statisticians in the metrology community, including technical oversight from statisticians at NIST. Using standard technical practices, a thorough analysis is performed to assign a reliable reference value and its associated uncertainty. We ensure that these values are stable, and suitable for meaningful comparison. To ensure the credibility of these values, pivot and reference laboratories used in this process are accredited. In addition, we analyze multiple evaluations of the data set through the following statistical reviews, including: Two Sigma, Three Sigma, Chauvenet’s Criterion, Sample Median, Trimmed Mean, Interquartile Range, Q-Test, and Thompson Technique. These reviews are conducted to ensure sound and meaningful results. Each proficiency test undergoes comprehensive technical reviews—before, during, and after distribution. These reviews are essential for ensuring test integrity, establish and/or validating reference data, and check trends or anomalies in the data. Our technical advisors are confident that NAPT’s review process is unmatched among ILC providers. These requirements are documented in NAPT Quality Procedure 407-1: Data and Statistical Analysis Procedure. A reference value is assigned only after a comprehensive review of collected data. Prematurely assigning a value—such as relying on a single measurement—is not technically sound and undermines confidence in the data. No single laboratory is infallible. That is why NAPT prioritizes a full, statistically rigorous analysis before finalizing reference values.
NAPT utilizes and relies on selected pivot laboratories to perform the initial characterization and ongoing calibrations of proficiency test artifacts throughout the lifecycle of each proficiency testing kit. In appreciation of their commitment, pivot labs receive a complimentary NAPT membership for each year they serve in this role. This membership entitles them to all associate benefits and discounts. Additionally, pivot labs are eligible to receive a report at no cost for the specific kit in which they serve as a pivot. As part of this partnership, NAPT may request up to three sets of calibration data for the artifact(s) within the kit. Pivot labs are also expected to provide an estimated timeframe for completing calibrations and to make every reasonable effort to meet those deadlines. Each pivot lab must assign a qualified technical expert who can support NAPT in evaluating any data submitted by the lab.
NAPT recognizes instances where corrections are necessary to an original data submittal. For NAPT to accept any revision to the original submittal, objective evidence describing and explaining in the request in detail must accompany the revised values. Objective evidence refers to factual information or data that supports a claim or request for change. In the context of submitting revised data, objective evidence would be any tangible evidence or documentation that validates the need for the requested change. This evidence should be verifiable, measurable, and based on reliable sources. It helps to provide a clear and compelling justification for the revision. When appropriate, the objective evidence can include explanatory commentary detailing what occurred, why it occurred, and when it happened. If the explanatory commentary proves sufficient for a technical advisor to fully comprehend the request for modifying the original submittal, the revised data will be accepted. However, should the explanatory commentary fall short of adequacy, additional information as described above will be required to be submitted before NAPT can proceed with the request to modify an original submittal. It is important to note that the request for a change in an original data submittal must undergo review and approval by Technical in accordance with NAPT quality policies.
Abnormalized error (En)compares a laboratory’s measurement result and its associated uncertainty to a reference value and its uncertainty, in order to determine if there is an agreement between the two. If the absolute value of Enis greater than 1, the two measurements are considered not to be in agreement. For more information on calculating En, refer tol SO/IEC 17043:2010 –Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Proficiency Testing.
Calibration is the act of comparing a device under test (DUT) of an unknown value with a reference standard of a known value. An artifact is the measurement instrument within an ILC/PT that is referred to as the unknown value or DUT.
NAPT offers two different tiers for utilizing the Intra Manager: NAPT Assisted & Self-Managed. When selecting a NAPT Assisted, NAPT staff will collaborate with you in the design and development of your custom Intralaboratory Comparison. This is a service that numerous organizations across the world take part in for those disciplines that a PT provider either currently does not have in circulation, or simply cannot offer. If you choose to use the Self-Managed method, you work directly within your own organization to complete the testing from start to finish. NAPT offers an online help desk to help guide you through the process. The NAPT Intra Wizard is the online tool where participants can manage all their own Intra ILC/PT enrollments. This allows you to manage any past, current, or future ILC/PT projects all from the NAPT Customer Portal. Please note that a minimum of three data submissions are required. The link below is for the NAPT Intra Wizard Help Desk. We would ask you to review the information and share any comments you may have. (Help Desk)Support : QMS – NAPT Helpdesk (freshdesk.com) (Customer Portal)QMS – Customer Portal (qmsnavigator.com)
An Interlaboratory Comparison (ILC) involves comparing measurement results from multiple laboratories. The purpose of an ILC may include evaluating methods, standards, environmental influences, or the competency of laboratory personnel and processes. A Proficiency Test (PT)is a specific type of ILC, designed to evaluate technical competency or proficiency.
Measuring & Submitting
Yes. If you require a retest, please contact us at napt@proficiency.org or call 952-303-6126 to discuss your options. Our staff will be happy to assist you.
No. It is the responsibility of the laboratory submitting results to calculate all uncertainties associated with their measurements. It is not NAPT’s role to state whether a reported uncertainty is correct or not; that oversight lies with your organization’s management and, ultimately, the accrediting body that granted your accreditation. The uncertainty of a measurement is a mathematical function calculated by the identity performing the measurement.
All revised data can be submitted either through your Customer Portal or directly to napt@proficiency.org. Please note: when submitting revised data, you must provide objective evidence supporting your request. All revision requests are subject to approval before any data can be officially revised.
You may select from 1 to 15 measured values for your ILC. The intent is to select and perform measurements within the range you are demonstrating measurement proficiency/competence.
Measured Values should be selected based on your scope of accreditation and the normal measurements you make for your customers.
The NAPT Intra Wizard allows you to reuse an existing Artifact and Scheme from Intra to Intra. Typically, organizations will do this if they have designed an Intra and wish to retest individuals on a regular basis. Once you have selected your participants, click on the next button to review the Intra.
Once NAPT receives your Data Reporting Sheet (data submittal), a ship-to notification will be emailed to the primary contact. This notification will include the required next destination for the kit. It is essential to follow these shipping instructions exactly—failure to follow instructions will result in additional fees.
The reference value is the value against which your results are compared. In any proficiency test, the validity of the results depends on the quality and reliability of the established reference values. NAPT’s process for establishing reference values was designed in collaboration with leading statisticians in the metrology community, including technical oversight from statisticians at NIST. Using standard technical practices, a thorough analysis is performed to assign a reliable reference value and its associated uncertainty. We ensure that these values are stable, and suitable for meaningful comparison. To ensure the credibility of these values, pivot and reference laboratories used in this process are accredited. In addition, we analyze multiple evaluations of the data set through the following statistical reviews, including: Two Sigma, Three Sigma, Chauvenet’s Criterion, Sample Median, Trimmed Mean, Interquartile Range, Q-Test, and Thompson Technique. These reviews are conducted to ensure sound and meaningful results. Each proficiency test undergoes comprehensive technical reviews—before, during, and after distribution. These reviews are essential for ensuring test integrity, establish and/or validating reference data, and check trends or anomalies in the data. Our technical advisors are confident that NAPT’s review process is unmatched among ILC providers. These requirements are documented in NAPT Quality Procedure 407-1: Data and Statistical Analysis Procedure. A reference value is assigned only after a comprehensive review of collected data. Prematurely assigning a value—such as relying on a single measurement—is not technically sound and undermines confidence in the data. No single laboratory is infallible. That is why NAPT prioritizes a full, statistically rigorous analysis before finalizing reference values.
NAPT recognizes instances where corrections are necessary to an original data submittal. For NAPT to accept any revision to the original submittal, objective evidence describing and explaining in the request in detail must accompany the revised values. Objective evidence refers to factual information or data that supports a claim or request for change. In the context of submitting revised data, objective evidence would be any tangible evidence or documentation that validates the need for the requested change. This evidence should be verifiable, measurable, and based on reliable sources. It helps to provide a clear and compelling justification for the revision. When appropriate, the objective evidence can include explanatory commentary detailing what occurred, why it occurred, and when it happened. If the explanatory commentary proves sufficient for a technical advisor to fully comprehend the request for modifying the original submittal, the revised data will be accepted. However, should the explanatory commentary fall short of adequacy, additional information as described above will be required to be submitted before NAPT can proceed with the request to modify an original submittal. It is important to note that the request for a change in an original data submittal must undergo review and approval by Technical in accordance with NAPT quality policies.
Abnormalized error (En)compares a laboratory’s measurement result and its associated uncertainty to a reference value and its uncertainty, in order to determine if there is an agreement between the two. If the absolute value of Enis greater than 1, the two measurements are considered not to be in agreement. For more information on calculating En, refer tol SO/IEC 17043:2010 –Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Proficiency Testing.
The preferred method for submitting data is through your NAPT Customer Portal. However, if you prefer, you may also email your data submittal to napt@proficiency.org, send it directly to a NAPT staff member, or submit it by U.S. mail.
The En value may differ because the values used in the calculation by the participant and by NAPT are not always identical. The values used on both preliminary and final reports are calculated in accordance with ISO 13528 to ensure accuracy and consistency. For participants, the reported resolution is influenced by the resolution of the artifact being measured or a reference standard, as well as any significant digit considerations. It’s also important to note that preliminary reports do not include an En value; therefore, any concerns about En calculations based on a preliminary report are irrelevant. Remember, the purpose of the preliminary report is solely to confirm that the values submitted by a participant have been accurately reported to NAPT, allowing NAPT to perform an initial analysis of the data submittal. This step also enables NAPT to identify any potential gross errors and take appropriate action if needed. The values in a preliminary report are, by nature, preliminary. The language within the report clarifies in detail that these values are subject to change. When NAPT issues the final report, the values may be truncated or rounded based on the resolution of the artifact reference standard and any relevant significant digit factors. For a participant to match NAPT’s En calculations precisely, they must use the exact values that NAPT applies in their analysis. For example, if an artifact’s value is recorded to three decimal places in our final report, but a participant records to five decimal places, the report will reflect only three decimal places, though NAPT retains the full precision internally for calculation purposes. The same principle applies to the assignment of the established reference uncertainty, which is typically reported by NAPT at one resolution level higher than the measurement made by the participant, following standard reporting practice. To ensure that your En calculations align exactly with those from NAPT, you must use the identical values and rounding conventions NAPT employs in its calculations. If needed, please feel free to contact NAPT to obtain the exact numbers used in any specific calculation.
NAPT Membership
Currently, NAPT does not offer the capability to pay for enrollment fees via the website. That feature will be available soon. NAPT currently uses QuickBooks powered Invoices. There will be an email sent with a link to review and pay your invoice. Please check your email for the payment link provided by NAPT. If you are unable to find it, please contact NAPT at your earliest convenience.
Yes. NAPT accepts ACH transactions and EFT. Please call NAPT for a W9 to set us up in your accounting system.
Please contact our main line at (952) 303-6126 to be connected with our accounting team. They will be happy to assist you with any payment processing needs.
Yes, please feel free to call us at 952-303-6126—NAPT staff is here to help. You may also reach out by filling out the “Contact NAPT Staff” form located in your NAPT Customer Portal under the Forms section. Alternatively, you can email us directly at napt@proficiency.org for assistance.
The membership fee is billed annually and covers a full calendar year. Many benefits are included with a membership; See “What are the benefits of Membership?”
Valuable Discounts Members save 20% on all services The more you purchase, the more you save Exclusive Reports Individualized reports Comparison reports across multiple locations/labs Historical trend reporting Expert Guidance Priority access to guidance from NAPT staff and technical advisors Priority order when waiting for a kit (over non-members only) Customer Confidence Demonstrate measurement assurance to your clients by testing with NAPT Benefit from increased visibility with a listing in our member directory
Test Results
Yes, please send a detailed email—along with any relevant documents—to napt@proficiency.org. NAPT staff will connect you with the appropriate technical advisor or our Technical Manager, who will be able to assist you.
No. NAPT maintains confidentiality of reports at all times. Participants are responsible for sharing their PT results with their accrediting body.
No. As long as the block is in what is referred to as the “Issue Final Reports “status, participants are welcome to waive the standard 5-day waiting period. Please contact NAPT staff if you wish to have your reports released earlier than schedule.
To assist you with connecting with the relevant advisor about your data results, please select the link for Technical Customer Support and complete the form to request technical assistance. The completed form will then be directed to the correct advisor. Technical Customer Support Technical customer support requests are sent directly to our Technical Advisors for processing and will be responded to as soon as their schedule allows.
No. The technical advisors assigned to a proficiency test do not have access to client data. The technical advisors are given raw data only. We know that one of the most important factors in designing meaningful proficiency tests is the involvement of technical advisors. One of the strengths behind NAPT’s success is the technical experts that assist us on a daily basis. The technical advisor is an expert in the field for which they provide assistance.
Participants in good standing who are enrolled in an ILC/PT where a technical review has been performed may waive their 5-day grace period. To do so, please contact NAPT staff directly. Once your request is approved, the final repost(s) will be made available in your Customer Portal. You will also receive an email from NAPT notifying you that the final report is accessible. If you are participating in an ILC/PT that has recently completed development, final reports may not yet be available due to limited participant history. If you have questions or require a report, please contact NAPT at napt@proficiency.org, and we will be happy to assist you.
The primary purpose of the preliminary report is to confirm that NAPT has accurately entered your data submittal into the QMS Navigator Management Application. Issuing a preliminary report with values that may change would be inappropriate and potentially misleading.
There could be several reasons: You didn’t send in your receiving form. The enrollment fee hasn’t been paid. You aren’t in the correct area in your portal – please make sure you in the NAPT ILC-PTs tab. Contact NAPT staff if you require further assistance.
There could be several reasons why your performance was unsatisfactory. Without a deeper knowledge of your measurement process, NAPT staff cannot determine the specific cause. However, NAPT members have the ability to work directly with the 50 technical advisors NAPT currently has assisting its members. If you would like to receive assistance from a technical expert, please contact NAPT, and we will begin that process with you.
Your results will depend, in large part, upon the reference value assigned to the artifact(s) contained in the ILC/PT. See “What are reference values?” question above for how NAPT obtains its reference values. Since ILC/PTs are in constant circulation, it is necessary to periodically ensure that reference values have not changed. In the case where an artifact is recalibrated and the reference value is found to have changed, participant data is reviewed to identify when the drift occurred. If the drift is found to have occurred before your preliminary report was issued, your results will then be compared to the newly established reference values. This may lead to a pass on your preliminary report, but a failure on your final report. NAPT strives to minimize the impact of drift by selecting quality artifacts, scheduling regular pivot checks and monitoring data submitted by participants for any sudden changes in measurement data.
There are several possible reasons a report has not yet been issued. The block may be under technical review, enrollment fees may still be outstanding, data may not have been submitted, or the original submission may contain issues and NAPT is awaiting a response. Please contact us, and we will be happy to help you determine the current status of your enrollment.
Testing Kits
Yes, there is an option on the Shipping & Receiving Form. Please indicate your selection on the form and submit it to NAPT accordingly.
Currently, NAPT does not offer the capability to pay for enrollment fees via the website. That feature will be available soon. NAPT currently uses QuickBooks powered Invoices. There will be an email sent with a link to review and pay your invoice. Please check your email for the payment link provided by NAPT. If you are unable to find it, please contact NAPT at your earliest convenience.
Yes. NAPT accepts ACH transactions and EFT. Please call NAPT for a W9 to set us up in your accounting system.
Yes. If you require a retest, please contact us at napt@proficiency.org or call 952-303-6126 to discuss your options. Our staff will be happy to assist you.
No, NAPT does not ship NAPT Full-Service PT Kits outside of North America. However, NAPT does offer an alternative to the NAPT Full-Service PT Kits, without the trouble of shipping heavy or priceless artifacts. NAPT Intra Manager, AKA Intra Wizard, is our latest online application that was designed for specialized proficiency testing methods and artifacts. With the help of the Intra Wizard, you now have the tool to work directly within your organization to complete your proficiency testing requirements from start to finish. Contact NAPT staff if you have any questions.
The main goal of any enrollment is to compare measurements using your processes and reference values and evaluate your results against other like organizations.
All participants are allowed to have the kit on-site for three (3) days. If additional time is needed, participants must contact NAPT staff in advance to arrange an extension and avoid late fees. NAPT staff will make every effort to accommodate special requests. However, if no prior arrangements are made, late fees will be assessed for not processing your ILC/PT within the designated timeframe.
The web site was designed to allow participants to enroll in three kits at once, which is the most common number. Please contact NAPT directly when requesting more than 3 kits so we can apply all discounts you are entitled to for multiple enrollments.
You may select from 1 to 15 measured values for your ILC. The intent is to select and perform measurements within the range you are demonstrating measurement proficiency/competence.
For each enrollment, one set of data is standard. However, many organizations submit data for each technician qualified to perform the specific measurement. If you would like to add additional technicians to your enrollment, please contact NAPT. NAPT Members can have two additional data submittals per enrollment at no additional cost. For non-members, a small fee applies for each additional technician added.
Most ILC/PTs are scheduled 2 to 4 months in advance, with some kits having longer wait times. NAPT recommends creating a PT Plan to order ahead and secure a specific month for your participation. If you need a kit within 2–4 weeks, please contact us to inquire about Expedited or Priority Scheduling options. For availability on a specific kit, feel free to reach out to NAPT directly.
Once NAPT receives your Data Reporting Sheet (data submittal), a ship-to notification will be emailed to the primary contact. This notification will include the required next destination for the kit. It is essential to follow these shipping instructions exactly—failure to follow instructions will result in additional fees.
Please contact NAPT staff as soon as possible by phone or email to initiate the process. You can reach us at napt@proficiency.org or by calling our main line: 952-303-6126. We appreciate your prompt attention to matters such as this. To proceed, NAPT will need the details of the damage along with clear photographic evidence. Once received, our team will review the information and determine the appropriate next steps
In accordance with the start notice, you should receive the kit within approximately 2 weeks. If you don’t receive the kit after 2 weeks of receiving your notice, please contact NAPT staff.
Yes, NAPT can provide you with a letter noting that you are signed up for a kit and the expected date you will be receiving the kit.
This varies depending on the kit you have enrolled in. NAPT staff will send a Schedule Confirmation Email notating your tentative start date once we have finished processing your enrollment. If you need a kit within 2–4 weeks, please contact us to inquire about Expedited or Priority Scheduling options. On average, a participant will receive the kit within two weeks after receiving their Start Notice from NAPT staff.
Deciding which proficiency tests to enroll in can feel overwhelming—but NAPT is here to help. On our website, proficiency.org, there are detailed explanations defining the parameters of each kit we offer. After reviewing the site, you can contact NAPT’s full-time staff with any questions regarding if a kit will fit your needs. In addition, NAPT provides a free tool to help laboratories develop and maintain a Proficiency Testing (PT) Plan. This tool is available in the NAPT Customer Portal. If you don’t already have an account, you can sign up by visiting proficiency.org and clicking on Customer Portal, or by going directly to HTTPs://customers.qmsnavigator.com. NAPT Members are eligible for free assistance in developing a customized PT Plan that meets your proficiency testing requirements.
You will be scheduled upon accepting the kit through the customer portal. If you are unsure on what this process looks like, please contact NAPT for assistance at napt@proficiency.org.
Shipping kits to laboratories outside the continental United States incurs additional costs. As a result, all international participants are responsible for covering their portion of any import/export duties, taxes, and related shipping fees. NAPT makes every effort to reduce these expenses by coordinating and grouping international participates whenever possible.
NAPT’s Fee Schedule is posted under Services. NAPT believes you deserve real value for your participation and it is important to choose a trusted proficiency testing provider that will ensure you receive the best value before, during, and after your enrollment.
Upon receiving your kit, please inspect all contents carefully to ensure there are no missing items or damage. Once the inspection is complete, log in to the NAPT Customer Portal to report the kit’s condition and mark it as “ILC-PT Arrived.” After this step, you’ll gain access to digital copies of the Data Reporting Sheet and Instruction Sheet for reference during your ILC/PT participation. If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact NAPT staff.
You will be invoiced an administrative fee to address this shortcoming. This may include any damages incurred while the kit is in transit.
NAPT offers two different tiers for utilizing the Intra Manager: NAPT Assisted & Self-Managed. When selecting a NAPT Assisted, NAPT staff will collaborate with you in the design and development of your custom Intralaboratory Comparison. This is a service that numerous organizations across the world take part in for those disciplines that a PT provider either currently does not have in circulation, or simply cannot offer. If you choose to use the Self-Managed method, you work directly within your own organization to complete the testing from start to finish. NAPT offers an online help desk to help guide you through the process. The NAPT Intra Wizard is the online tool where participants can manage all their own Intra ILC/PT enrollments. This allows you to manage any past, current, or future ILC/PT projects all from the NAPT Customer Portal. Please note that a minimum of three data submissions are required. The link below is for the NAPT Intra Wizard Help Desk. We would ask you to review the information and share any comments you may have. (Help Desk)Support : QMS – NAPT Helpdesk (freshdesk.com) (Customer Portal)QMS – Customer Portal (qmsnavigator.com)
Some kits are scheduled months out, others three to four weeks. It’s best to contact staff via a quick call or send an email to napt@proficiency.org with your need and NAPT staff will get back with you ASAP.
NAPT services the metrology and test community, and most of the kits we offer are based on the needs of our participants. A complete list of kits, including their respective disciplines, is available on the NAPT website. Please visit the site and use the user-friendly sorting tool to find the kit you need. You may also contact NAPT directly—our team will be happy to help you find the kit that best fits your needs.
All NAPT binders have been removed from the kits. All documentation associated with your ILC/PT enrollment is now available online on your NAPT Customer Portal. After inspecting the kit contents, please log in to the Customer Portal to indicate the condition of the kit and mark it as “ILC-PT Arrived. “Once this step is complete, you will have access to digital copies of the Data Reporting Sheet and Instruction Sheet for your reference during participation in the ILC/PT. If you need assistance using the tools within the portal, please contact NAPT Staff at your earliest convenience—we’re here to help.
If your kit is not in the customer portal, chances are it was not fully processed. Please contact NAPT staff to check the details for your request.
There may be multiple reasons why you have not received a kit in the timeframe you expected. Please contact us and let’s ensure you are signed up for the kit you are waiting for and that you have responded to the acceptance notification email. It’s also possible other labs may have extended their participation time and NAPT staff has had to adjust the schedule based on unforeseen circumstances.
NAPT Intra Manager, AKA Intra Wizard, is our latest online application that was designed for additional & specialized proficiency testing methods. NAPT designed and built this service especially for organizations like yours, that have specialized testing & requirements that cannot be met by proficiency testing providers. NAPT offers two different tiers for utilizing the Intra Manager: NAPT Assisted & Self-Managed. When selecting a NAPT Assisted, NAPT staff will collaborate with you in the design and development of your custom Intralaboratory Comparison. This is a service that numerous organizations across the world take part in for those disciplines that a PT provider either currently does not have in circulation, or simply cannot offer. If you choose to use the Self-Managed method, you work directly within your own organization to complete the testing from start to finish. NAPT offers an online help desk to help guide you through the process. The NAPT Intra Wizard is the online tool where participants can manage all their own Intra ILC/PT enrollments. This allows you to manage any past, current, or future ILC/PT projects all from the NAPT Customer Portal. The other option would be for NAPT to acquire an artifact and design a kit to meet your needs. This may take a longer period of time compared to an Intra.
NAPT HELP DESK
