Laboratory Services

The Florida Department of Health operates three state-level serology laboratories (science dealing with the serum component of blood in regards to its reactions and properties). These laboratories use high throughput methods to perform diagnostic tests of public health importance.

Sexually transmitted infection testing performed include hepatitis A, B, and C (including HCV RNA NAAT); syphilis RPR with CMIA confirmatory and TP-PA, if needed; and amplified chlamydia and gonorrhea. Other tests performed are rubella screen and QFT Plus for latent TB infection.

The Florida Department of Health operates two state-level retrovirology laboratories, offering high throughput, advanced HIV diagnostic testing using an FDA-approved HIV-1/2 antigen/antibody (combo) immunoassay, HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody supplemental testing, and HIV-1 RNA testing.

In addition, HIV-1 clinical management testing, including FDA-approved HIV-1 viral load testing, and HIV-1 genotyping (Sanger and targeted Next Generation sequencing), is offered for HIV infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy.  The laboratories collaborates with state and federal partners for testing and reporting services.

Our laboratories perform tests for the detection of respiratory viruses (influenza, SARS-CoV-2), mosquito-transmitted viruses (West Nile, eastern equine encephalitis, and dengue), food-borne (norovirus), and many other viruses of public health significance. Testing is performed using molecular as well as traditional serologic (antibody) assays. 

Our laboratories provide a range of methods for diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). We utilize state-of-the-art molecular tests for diagnosis and detection of drug resistance in MTBC which provide accurate results more quickly than traditional growth-based methods.

We test more than 20,000 samples and perform drug susceptibility testing on approximately 700 tuberculosis-positive samples each year.

Our laboratories perform specialized and reference testing for the detection and characterization of pathogens that cause human illness. Microbiologist detect  bacteria that cause foodborne illness and utilize advanced molecular testing to categorize these organisms for surveillance and prevention of foodborne illnesses.

Additionally, our laboratories perform tests for the detection of fecal contamination in the drinking and recreational water, including the detection of bacteria in environmental sources that can cause illness, such as Legionella.

Provides laboratory screening of all newborns in the state for several hereditary diseases which, without detection and early treatment, would lead to death or severe mental disabilities.

View more information about newborn screening.

The Florida Department of Health’s molecular laboratory performs whole genome sequencing (WGS) of foodborne and some nosocomial bacterial pathogens. Sequences obtained by WGS are used for differentiating outbreak strains from non-case related strains, for confirming source contamination and tracing transmission links. Additionally, the laboratory performs testing for organisms involved in health care associated infections.

As a participating laboratory in the National Molecular Subtyping Network for Foodborne Disease Surveillance, known as PULSENET, we have access to WGS data from participating public health laboratories across the country. PULSENET sites, using WGS, have identified outbreaks that otherwise would not have been recognized by conventional epidemiological investigations.

If you have a private well, the Florida Department of Health strongly recommends that you test your water for bacteria and nitrate at least once per year. 

Analytes Tested: E. coli and coliforms in well water

Cost of Service: $40 private and $17 for county health departments

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., delivery cut off at 2 p.m. on Fridays. Please contact BPHL if testing is required in emergency situations, outside of normal service hours.

Required Form: DH655

Sample Collection: Water collection kits are provided by a local county health department (CHD) or Bureau of Public Health Laboratories. If obtaining collection kits through a CHD, contact the location’s environmental public health section in that county. If obtaining collection kits through the BPHL, the collection kits can be picked up at the lab at the specimen delivery drive thru Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Collection Instructions: Water must be run for 5 minutes or more. Do not place your hand or fingers in stream of water. Follow the instructions provided with collection kit to collect at least 100mL of water sample.

Shipping/Delivery Instructions: Water samples must be collected and delivered to the laboratory the same day. Water samples must be colder than 10°C (50°F) at delivery, so we recommend they are transported to the lab on ice, in a cooler.

Processing Time: 48 hours

These services are only provided to county health departments.

Analytes Tested: E. coli, coliforms, and Enterococcus

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., delivery cut off at 2 p.m. on Fridays. Please contact BPHL if testing is required in emergency situations, outside of normal service hours, or required for sewage spills, hurricane response, or beach water testing outside of normal season.

Required Form: DH641

Sample Collection: Beach water bottles, or a water collection kit provided by a local county health department (CHD) or Bureau of Public Health Laboratories. If obtaining collection kits through a CHD, contact the location’s environmental public health section in that county. If obtaining collection kits through the BPHL, the collection kits can be picked up at the lab at the specimen delivery drive thru Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Collection Instructions: Using a sanitary technique, follow the instructions provided with collection kit to collect at least 100mL of water sample.

Shipping/Delivery Instructions: Water samples must be collected and delivered to the laboratory the same day. Water samples must be colder than 10°C (50°F) at delivery, so we recommend they are transported to the lab on ice, in a cooler.

Processing Time: 36 hours

The Environmental Laboratory Certification Program was established in 1979 to ensure laboratory quality and capacity to perform testing of drinking water regulated under the Florida Safe Drinking Water Act. In 1986, the Florida Legislature expanded the scope of the program to cover domestic wastewater testing conducted under the Clean Water Act as well as certification for other types of environmental testing.

The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL) provides outbreak related food testing throughout the state of Florida. This testing is only provided to active investigations being conducted by local County Health Departments. Testing is provided at the Jacksonville laboratory.

Contact your local county health department. Environmental Health if you suspect a need for testing. 

Analytes Tested:

• Standard Plate Count (GFQ)
• Fecal Coliform (GFQ)
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Vibrio sp.
• Bacillus cereus
• Salmonella sp.
• Shigella sp.
• Campylobacter sp.
• Clostridium perfringens
• Listeria sp.
• STEC/EHEC/E. coli
• If not listed above, please call 904-791-1600

Sample Types
Food samples from a variety of sources (dairy, meat products, produce, ready to eat foods). Environmental swabs or sponges from environmental health investigations.

Cost of Service
No cost to County Health Departments.

Days of Service: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Required Forms: DH4073

Collection Media
No media for direct food samples. Laboratory will accept swabs (foam tipped for food sampling) or sponges (sponge stick with 10 mL neutralizing buffer).

Collection Instructions
Minimum of 25g/25mL of food/liquid samples.

Shipping/Delivery Instructions
Ship samples according to how the food was stored. If refrigerated, the sample needs to be shipped on frozen ice packs.

• Any swabs or sponges should also be shipped on ice packs.
• If samples are being sent for Saturday delivery, BPHL can accept and will store samples in refrigeration until testing can be started. 
• For more information, please contact your local county environmental health for results.
• BPHL does not accept samples from grocery stores. Only samples from local investigations are accepted.