Ch. 731                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND

(5) THE DEPARTMENT OR AN ORGANIZATION APPROVED BY THE
SECRETARY SHALL CONDUCT THE PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM FOR
MEDICAL LABORATORIES.

(6) (4) A MEDICAL LABORATORY SHALL PAY THE DEPARTMENT
A FEE ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TO COVER THE COST OF THE
STATE CYTOLOGY PROFICIENCY TEST TESTING PROGRAM UNDER THIS
SECTION.

(5) THE DEPARTMENT OR AN ORGANIZATION APPROVED BY THE
SECRETARY SHALL CONDUCT THE PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM FOR ALL
CYTOLOGY LABORATORIES.

17-205.

(a)  Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a person
shall hold a permit issued by the Secretary before the person
may:

(1)  Operate a medical laboratory in this State; or

(2)  Represent or service in this State any medical
laboratory that is outside this State.

(b)  This section does not apply to a physician or a group
of not: more than 3 physicians. The Secretary may grant an
exception to the permit requirements of this subtitle for each
group of more than 3 physicians if each physician in the group
personally:

(1)  Performs or supervises medical laboratory
procedures only for the physician's patients or patients of the
group;

(2)  Performs only limited laboratory examinations as
set forth by the Secretary under this subtitle's rules and
regulations; and

(3)  Continues to meet the requirements under § 17-212
of this subtitle.

17-212.

(a) A physician or group practice that is exempted from the
permit requirements of this subtitle shall:

(1) Demonstrate satisfactory performance in a
proficiency testing program in applicable laboratory procedures
before the physician performs any medical laboratory procedure;
or

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