PJLA ISO/IEC 17043:2023 accredited · Certificate L24-898
Proficiency testing for calibration laboratories
Ship-to-your-lab PT kits for mass, balances and scales, pipettes, dimensional, temperature, pressure, flow, and electrical calibration. Your technicians measure the artifact with your normal procedure, and we score every result with En numbers against our reference values.
- From $695 per program
- Results and reports in an online portal
- Accredited PT provider since 2020
Why labs take part
Evidence that your calibrations hold up
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (clause 7.7.2) asks every laboratory to monitor its performance by comparison with other laboratories where that's available. For most calibration labs, proficiency testing from an ISO/IEC 17043 accredited provider is how that requirement is met and how assessors expect to see it documented.
A Lake Balance PT is a straightforward interlaboratory comparison. We characterize the artifact in our Mentor, Ohio laboratory, ship it to you, and compare your reported values and uncertainties with our reference values. A satisfactory En number shows your result agrees with the reference within the uncertainty you claim. An unsatisfactory one gives you a specific point to investigate before an assessor finds it.
Learn more about ISO/IEC 17025 proficiency testing requirements and how En numbers are calculated.
Who it's for
ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration labs
Meet your accreditation body's PT plan with an accredited provider, and cover the parameters on your scope one program at a time.
Scale and balance service companies
Show that your field technicians calibrate analytical balances, top-loaders, and bench scales the way your scope and uncertainty budget say they do.
Labs working toward accreditation
Accreditation bodies generally expect PT results before or soon after initial accreditation. Start with the disciplines on your proposed scope.
In-house metrology and QA labs
Get independent evidence that your internal calibrations of pipettes, balances, gauges, and thermometers agree with an accredited reference.
Most requested
Mass, balance, and scale proficiency testing
Lake Balance started as a weighing and balance service company in 1986, and mass is still at the core of what we do. Choose a Class F weight set mass PT, a 200 g analytical balance PT, a 3 kg top-loading balance PT, or an 11 kg or 15 kg bench scale PT.
Mass & balance PT programsPT programs
Programs by discipline
Dimensional
Electrical
Force
Pressure
Temperature
Need a range or instrument we don't list? Request a custom PT.
How it works
From request to report
- 1
Your lab
Request a program
Choose your PT program, participant count, and preferred test date. Add your shipping address and any special requirements.
- 2
Lake Balance
Confirm the plan
We review your request, match an available kit, and confirm scheduling and pricing. New customers receive a portal invitation.
- 3
Your lab
Receive your kit
Track delivery in your portal. Check the kit and read the program instructions before taking measurements.
- 4
Your lab
Measure & submit
Follow the instructions and enter readings and uncertainties for each participant. Save drafts as needed, then submit the complete results.
After you submit measurements
Two things happen next
Return the kit within one week of receipt. We release your report once payment is received and the return shipment shows in transit with the carrier.
Your lab
Return the kit
Pack the kit securely and follow the supplied return instructions. Track the return in your portal; Lake Balance records when it arrives. See the kit care and return terms.
Lake Balance + your lab
Review & release your report
We review your submitted measurements and contact you if clarification is needed. Your report becomes available in the portal after review, once payment is received and the kit's return shipment shows in transit with the carrier (or under an approved release arrangement).
PT complete
Once the kit is back and results and billing are settled, we close the PT. Your released report stays available in the portal for your records.
See the full PT process and the kit care and return terms.
Pricing
Simple, published pricing
- One participant
- $695
- Each additional participant
- +$100
- Expedite (optional)
- +$150
Program pricing shown on each program page. Final quote confirmed by our team after matching an available kit.
Accreditation
ISO/IEC 17043 scope
Lake Balance Calibration Solutions is accredited by PJLA to ISO/IEC 17043:2023 as a proficiency testing provider (certificate L24-898). The scope supplement lists these schemes:
- Mass and mass related: Weights; calibration of scales and balances; calibration of mass
- Volume: Pipettes
- Physical dimensional: Micrometers, calipers, test indicators
- Thermodynamic: Thermometers; temperature and humidity sensors
- Rotation speed: Tachometers
- Electrical: Multimeters
- Pressure / vacuum: Pressure and vacuum gauges
- Mass flow: Flow meters
Frequently asked questions
What is proficiency testing for a calibration laboratory?
Proficiency testing (PT) is an interlaboratory comparison that checks whether your lab gets the right answer. Lake Balance ships you a characterized artifact, such as a set of test weights, a pipette, or a gauge. Your technicians calibrate it with your normal procedure and report readings with uncertainty, and we compare your results with our reference values using En numbers.
Is Lake Balance an accredited proficiency testing provider?
Yes. Lake Balance Calibration Solutions is accredited by Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation (PJLA) as a proficiency testing provider to ISO/IEC 17043:2023, certificate L24-898. The certificate and scope supplement are published on our accreditation page, so check that the scope covers the program you plan to use.
Does ISO/IEC 17025 require proficiency testing?
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 7.7.2 requires a lab to monitor its performance by comparison with other laboratories, where available and appropriate, and proficiency testing is the usual way to do that. Accreditation bodies set the detail: how often you take part and how much of your scope you must cover over the accreditation cycle. Check the current PT policy from your accreditation body.
How much does a proficiency test cost?
Most programs are $695 for one participant, plus $100 for each additional participant who measures the same kit. Expedited handling is an optional $150. We confirm the final quote after matching an available kit to your request.
Can several technicians take part with one kit?
Yes. Add a participant for each technician or measurement system you want evaluated. Each one reports their own readings and uncertainties, and each additional participant is $100.
How are results evaluated?
Each reported value is compared with the Lake Balance reference value using the En number: the difference between your result and the reference value, divided by the root sum of squares of both expanded uncertainties. An absolute En below 1 is a satisfactory result.
How long can we keep the PT kit?
Please return the kit within one week of receipt. Your report is released in the customer portal once payment is received and the return shipment shows in transit with the carrier.
What if you don't list the PT we need?
Request a custom PT. Tell us the equipment type, range, and resolution you need to demonstrate, and we will tell you whether we can build or source a suitable artifact.
Plan this year's PT
Pick a program and a preferred test date. We'll match a kit, confirm the schedule, and invite you to the portal.