The Truth About DNA Testing and Accreditations | My Forever DNA
DNA Testing Accreditations Explained
Accreditation matters when you are choosing a DNA testing provider, but the number of badges on a website tells you very little by itself.
AABB Relationship Testing accreditation, ISO/IEC 17025, CAP accreditation, and CLIA requirements cover different types of laboratory work. The important question is which standard applies to the type of DNA test you need and what the laboratory is actually accredited to perform.
For relationship DNA testing, that distinction becomes especially important when results may be used for paternity, other family relationships, court proceedings, or immigration.
Key Takeaways
- AABB has a dedicated Relationship Testing accreditation program covering parentage and more complex biological relationship testing.
- ISO/IEC 17025 is a broader international laboratory competence standard. It is not specific to paternity or relationship testing.
- CAP accreditation focuses on laboratory quality and performance but serves a different role from AABB Relationship Testing accreditation.
- Chain of custody is separate from the DNA analysis itself. It protects sample identity, traceability, and handling when legal documentation is required.
- Accreditation should be verified using the laboratory's actual name and accreditation scope, not only the name of the company selling the DNA test.
If you want to see which laboratory processes My Forever DNA® relationship tests, visit our Laboratory Partner & DNA Testing Standards page.
What Does DNA Testing Accreditation Actually Tell You?
Laboratory accreditation means an independent accrediting organization has assessed a laboratory against a defined set of requirements.
Those requirements are not identical across every accreditation program.
A credential may evaluate:
- Technical competence
- Quality-management systems
- Testing procedures
- Documentation and traceability
- Staff competency
- Equipment and quality controls
- Proficiency testing
- Sample handling
- Reporting procedures
The scope of the accreditation is just as important as the accreditation name.
A laboratory can hold a respected accreditation without that credential necessarily being designed specifically for relationship DNA testing.
Here is the simplest way to separate the major standards discussed in DNA testing:
AABB Relationship Testing
Main role: Parentage and biological relationship testing, including standards relevant to chain of custody and legal use.
Important limitation: Does not make a self-collected home sample automatically legal.
ISO/IEC 17025
Main role: International standard for laboratory competence, impartiality, and consistent operation.
Important limitation: Broad laboratory standard, not specific to relationship DNA testing.
CAP Accreditation
Main role: Laboratory quality, inspection, procedures, competency, and performance.
Important limitation: Different scope from AABB Relationship Testing accreditation.
CLIA
Main role: U.S. requirements for laboratory testing used to assess health or diagnose, prevent, or treat disease.
Important limitation: Clinical testing framework, not a substitute for relationship-testing accreditation.
ISO describes ISO/IEC 17025 as the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories, with requirements around competence, impartiality, and consistent operation. CMS describes CLIA as applying primarily to human-specimen testing used for health assessment, diagnosis, prevention, or treatment, with certain exceptions including forensic testing.
What Is AABB Accreditation for Relationship DNA Testing?
AABB maintains a specific accreditation program for facilities performing Relationship Testing.
Its current Relationship Testing standards cover parentage testing and more complex family relationship analysis. AABB also states that accredited facilities are assessed against comprehensive quality standards and follow validated procedures designed to maintain chain of custody and traceability from the beginning of a case through the reporting of results.
This makes AABB particularly relevant to DNA testing involving relationships such as:
- Paternity
- Maternity
- Sibling relationships
- Grandparent relationships
- Other kinship relationships
When Does AABB Accreditation Matter Most?
AABB becomes especially important when DNA results are needed for an official purpose.
For U.S. immigration DNA testing, AABB-accredited Relationship Testing facilities have a specific role. AABB states that facilities in its current Relationship Testing directory are deemed acceptable by USCIS for immigration cases, and the U.S. Department of State directs applicants to use an AABB-accredited laboratory when relationship DNA testing is recommended for immigration purposes.
For court or other legal use, requirements can vary by jurisdiction and requesting authority. Accreditation is only part of the process. Proper legal sample collection and chain-of-custody procedures also matter.
If your result may be needed officially, review Legal DNA Testing before collecting any samples.
Does AABB Accreditation Matter for an At-Home DNA Test?
Yes, but for a different reason.
An informational at-home relationship test does not generally require the same witnessed collection process as a legal test. The DNA analysis still takes place in a laboratory, so the standards followed by that laboratory remain relevant to the quality and reliability of the testing process.
The distinction is:
Laboratory accreditation tells you about the facility and its testing standards.
Legal chain of custody tells you how the identity, collection, and movement of the samples were documented.
They work together in legal testing, but they are not the same thing.
What Is ISO/IEC 17025?
ISO/IEC 17025 is an international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
Unlike AABB Relationship Testing accreditation, ISO/IEC 17025 is not specific to paternity, kinship, or relationship DNA testing. It applies broadly to laboratories performing testing and calibration work.
The current ISO/IEC 17025 standard addresses laboratory competence, impartiality, and consistent operation. Accreditation bodies can use the standard when evaluating whether a laboratory is technically capable of performing work within its accredited scope.
That makes ISO/IEC 17025 a legitimate laboratory credential, but the scope still matters.
A laboratory being ISO/IEC 17025 accredited does not automatically tell you that it holds the relationship-testing accreditation required for a particular legal or immigration case.
Does ISO/IEC 17025 Reduce Contamination Risk in Paternity Testing?
ISO/IEC 17025 can support a controlled and competent laboratory environment, but it should not be interpreted as a guarantee that contamination can never occur.
Sample integrity depends on several things:
- Correct sample identification
- Proper collection
- Appropriate packaging
- Controlled handling
- Laboratory procedures
- Quality controls
- Traceable documentation
Accredited quality systems can help reduce preventable laboratory errors, but chain of custody, collection quality, and sample handling still matter independently.
This is why phrases such as "ISO 17025 accredited" should not be treated as shorthand for "contamination is impossible."
Does ISO/IEC 17025 Make a Paternity Test Court-Admissible?
No.
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation by itself does not automatically make a relationship DNA result suitable for court or other official use.
Legal DNA testing also depends on the correct collection process, identity verification, documentation, chain of custody, and the requirements of the court or requesting authority.
For U.S. immigration relationship testing specifically, the official process requires an AABB-accredited facility.
What Is CAP Accreditation?
CAP is the College of American Pathologists.
Its Laboratory Accreditation Program evaluates laboratories through requirements covering laboratory practices, quality systems, competency, procedures, documentation, and inspection. CAP also operates proficiency testing and external quality-assessment programs used to evaluate laboratory performance.
CAP accreditation can therefore be a meaningful laboratory quality signal.
It is still different from AABB Relationship Testing accreditation.
AABB vs. CAP: What Is the Difference?
AABB and CAP evaluate different aspects of laboratory work.
AABB Relationship Testing is specifically focused on facilities performing human relationship testing. Its standards address areas directly relevant to parentage and kinship analysis.
CAP has a broader laboratory-quality role covering clinical laboratory operations and testing disciplines within its accreditation program.
A DNA testing company should therefore explain which laboratory holds which credential, rather than presenting different accreditation names as if they were interchangeable.
If a provider claims that its laboratory is CAP accredited, you should be able to verify the specific laboratory and its current accreditation status.
Where Does CLIA Fit Into DNA Testing?
CLIA stands for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.
CLIA applies primarily to laboratory testing on human specimens when the purpose is to assess health or diagnose, prevent, or treat disease. CMS specifically notes exceptions that can include forensic testing.
That means CLIA should not automatically be treated as the primary accreditation to look for when your question is:
Is this person biologically related to me?
Relationship DNA testing and clinical genetic testing serve different purposes.
A company promoting CLIA credentials for a relationship test should still explain what laboratory performs the relationship analysis and which relationship-testing standards apply to that work.
What About ASCLD and Other Laboratory Credentials?
You may also see forensic or international organizations mentioned when researching DNA laboratories.
ASCLD, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, supports accreditation and quality improvement within forensic science. Its Accreditation Initiative helps forensic science service providers work toward accreditation to standards such as ISO/IEC 17025. ASCLD itself should not be confused with AABB's Relationship Testing accreditation program.
Outside the United States, different accreditation bodies, laboratory standards, and government requirements may apply.
The practical rule is simple:
Do not choose an accreditation because the acronym sounds impressive. Check whether its scope matches the type of DNA testing and the country or authority that will use the result.
Why Does Chain of Custody Matter in Relationship DNA Testing?
Chain of custody creates a documented record connecting a sample to the person who provided it and tracking what happened to that sample through the testing process.
AABB describes collection activities as including elements such as consent, identification, sampling, chain-of-custody documentation, and secure transport to the laboratory.
For a legal relationship test, this helps establish that:
- The correct people were identified
- The samples came from the documented participants
- Collection was performed through the required process
- Samples were handled and transported appropriately
- The case can be traced through testing and reporting
Does Chain of Custody Prevent Contamination?
Chain of custody primarily protects identity and traceability.
It can also reduce opportunities for sample mix-ups or uncontrolled handling because the collection and transfer process is documented. It does not guarantee that contamination can never occur.
Contamination prevention also depends on correct collection, packaging, handling, laboratory procedures, and quality controls.
This distinction matters because "chain of custody" and "contamination prevention" are related to sample integrity, but they are not interchangeable concepts.
Can an At-Home DNA Test Be Used in Court?
A standard self-collected at-home DNA test is generally intended for personal knowledge.
Legal testing requires a controlled process because the court or government agency needs more than a laboratory result. It needs confidence that the tested samples belong to the documented participants and were handled through an acceptable process.
A legal relationship test may therefore require:
- Identity verification
- Witnessed or approved sample collection
- Chain-of-custody documentation
- Secure transport
- Processing through the appropriate laboratory
- Formal reporting procedures
For a deeper comparison, read At-Home vs. Informational vs. Legal DNA Testing.
Does Accreditation Guarantee That a DNA Test Is Accurate?
Accreditation is an important quality signal, but it should not be treated as a guarantee that every possible error has been eliminated.
The reliability of a relationship DNA test depends on multiple factors working together:
- The correct people must be tested.
- Samples must be collected and identified correctly.
- The laboratory must follow appropriate testing procedures.
- The genetic data must be analyzed correctly.
- The relationship calculation must match the type of relationship being evaluated.
- The report must be reviewed and issued correctly.
Accreditation helps demonstrate that a laboratory has been assessed against defined standards within a particular scope.
If your main question is the broader accuracy of home DNA testing rather than accreditation, read At-Home DNA Tests: How Accurate Are They?.
How Can You Verify Whether a DNA Testing Laboratory Is Accredited?
Do not rely only on a badge in a website header.
A few checks can tell you much more.
1Find the Actual Laboratory Name
The company selling you the DNA test may not own the laboratory performing the analysis.
Ask:
Which laboratory actually processes the samples?
That is the name you should verify.
2Check the Accrediting Organization's Directory
AABB maintains a public directory of currently accredited Relationship Testing facilities.
If you are checking another accreditation, use the accrediting body's own current directory rather than a third-party list.
3Check the Scope
The laboratory name appearing in a directory is only part of the answer.
Look at what the facility is accredited to do.
A general laboratory credential does not necessarily mean the laboratory holds a relationship-testing accreditation.
4Check the Requirements for Your Intended Use
A peace-of-mind test, court case, immigration case, and clinical genetic test can require different processes.
If a government agency, court, attorney, embassy, consulate, or other organization requested the test, confirm its requirements before collecting samples.
5Be Careful With Vague Accreditation Claims
Terms such as:
- "certified DNA testing"
- "highest accreditation"
- "accredited results"
- "laboratory certified"
- "government approved"
do not tell you enough on their own.
A stronger claim names:
the laboratory + the accrediting organization + the relevant accreditation scope.
What Should You Check When Choosing a Relationship DNA Testing Provider?
Laboratory accreditation should be part of the decision, but it is not the only factor.
Before ordering, check:
- Who performs the laboratory analysis
- Which relationship-testing accreditation applies
- Whether you need informational or legal testing
- What sample types are appropriate for your test
- Whether participants need verified collection
- How results will be provided
- Who you can contact if your family situation is more complex than a standard test
This becomes especially important when testing involves unavailable parents, multiple possible relationships, participants in different locations, legal documentation, immigration, or unusual samples.
Which Accreditation Matters for Your Situation?
Personal At-Home Relationship Testing
For private personal knowledge, witnessed legal chain of custody is generally not required.
The laboratory and its quality standards still matter because the samples are still undergoing professional DNA analysis.
U.S. Legal Relationship Testing
Legal use usually requires both an appropriate laboratory and a documented legal collection process.
Requirements can vary, so confirm what your court, attorney, agency, or requesting organization needs before testing.
U.S. Immigration DNA Testing
Immigration DNA testing follows a specific official process. The U.S. Department of State requires the laboratory selected for recommended relationship DNA testing to be AABB accredited.
Do not purchase a normal home test and assume it can later be converted into an immigration case.
Medical or Clinical Genetic Testing
Testing used to assess health, diagnose disease, or guide medical care falls into a different regulatory and laboratory framework from relationship DNA testing.
If your question is medical rather than relational, use an appropriate healthcare or clinical genetic-testing provider.
How My Forever DNA® Works With an Accredited Laboratory Partner
My Forever DNA® is the customer-facing DNA testing provider. It does not claim to be the laboratory performing the relationship DNA analysis.
Relationship testing is processed through Universal Forensics Corporation, UFC Lab, an independent U.S.-based laboratory partner. UFC Lab is currently listed by AABB as an accredited Relationship Testing facility.
That distinction gives customers a specific laboratory name and accreditation status they can verify.
For details about the laboratory relationship, current AABB status, and how My Forever DNA® works with its laboratory partner, visit:
Frequently Asked Questions About DNA Testing Accreditations
What does AABB mean in DNA testing?
AABB is now the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies. Its Relationship Testing program accredits facilities performing parentage and other biological relationship testing.
Is AABB accreditation required for every DNA test?
No. A private informational DNA test does not necessarily require the same legal collection process as a court or immigration test.
AABB accreditation becomes particularly important when the test must meet legal or government requirements.
What is the difference between AABB and ISO/IEC 17025?
AABB has a specific Relationship Testing accreditation program covering parentage and kinship testing.
ISO/IEC 17025 is a broader international standard for testing and calibration laboratory competence.
An ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation does not automatically replace AABB requirements for U.S. legal or immigration relationship testing.
Does ISO/IEC 17025 prevent DNA sample contamination?
No accreditation guarantees that contamination is impossible.
ISO/IEC 17025 supports competent and consistent laboratory operations. Sample integrity also depends on collection, identification, packaging, handling, laboratory procedures, and quality controls.
Is CAP accreditation the same as AABB accreditation?
No.
CAP has a broader laboratory accreditation role, while AABB operates a specific accreditation program for Relationship Testing facilities.
Does an accredited laboratory automatically make a DNA test legal?
No.
The laboratory is only one part of legal testing. Identity verification, approved collection, documentation, and chain of custody may also be required.
How do I know if a DNA laboratory is really AABB accredited?
Check the current AABB Relationship Testing facility directory using the actual laboratory name, not only the brand selling the DNA kit.
Does AABB set the price of a DNA test?
No. AABB accreditation does not set consumer DNA testing prices.
Pricing can vary based on the relationship being tested, the number of participants, collection requirements, sample type, shipping, and whether legal chain-of-custody services are needed.
Choose the Standard That Matches the DNA Test You Actually Need
Accreditation becomes useful when you understand what is accredited, who holds the accreditation, and what the accreditation covers.
For U.S. relationship DNA testing, AABB has a specific role in parentage and kinship testing. ISO/IEC 17025 provides a broader framework for competent laboratory operation. CAP addresses laboratory quality through its own accreditation program. CLIA applies primarily to clinical testing performed for health-related purposes.
No single acronym answers every DNA testing question.
Before ordering, identify the relationship you need to test, decide whether the result is for personal or official use, and verify the laboratory behind the service.
Review My Forever DNA® Laboratory Standards
Important Testing Information
My Forever DNA® at-home relationship DNA testing products are intended for informational use unless an appropriate legal chain-of-custody test is specifically arranged.
Legal and immigration DNA testing can involve additional identity-verification, collection, documentation, laboratory, and chain-of-custody requirements.
Relationship DNA testing products are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or assess a medical condition.
My Forever DNA® does not provide legal or medical advice. If your test has legal, immigration, or healthcare consequences, confirm the applicable requirements with the relevant court, agency, attorney, healthcare professional, embassy, consulate, or requesting authority before testing.
