Laboratory services
Publication date: June 25, 2025
Laboratory tests provide healthcare professionals and patients with vital information to make important medical decisions. Learn about laboratory services and how to get test results.
On this page
- Laboratory services in B.C.
- View your laboratory test results
- If you have a concern about a laboratory service
- Laboratory system policy updates
- BC Ministry of Health teams - Laboratory Services
Laboratory services in B.C.
Most medical diagnoses in B.C. depend on diagnostic and laboratory testing. Learn about B.C.'s laboratory services and how to get test results.
Given that over 70% of medical diagnoses are based on laboratory test results, laboratory services play a very important role in the health of B.C. residents.
In B.C., a comprehensive range of routine and specialized tests are provided through a mix of publicly operated and privately operated laboratory facilities. Publicly funded laboratory services, including specimen collection, can be accessed in our hospitals, for emergency and acute care patients, and several community-based facilities.
Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS), within the Provincial Health Services Authority, works with many partners to ensure the laboratory system adopts the latest technology, guidelines and techniques, and meets the needs of people living in B.C.
Laboratory services are legislated under:
View your laboratory test results
You can view your laboratory test results using Health Gateway. Most test results are available 2 to 3 days after the test. Results of pathology tests, such as a tissue biopsy, may take several weeks. Health Authorities may also have tools or services to help you access your health information.
Learn more information about different laboratory tests using evidence-based BC tools, including HealthLinkBC, BC Guidelines, and Perinatal Services BC. Or call 8-1-1 to speak to a health services navigator. They can help you find health information or connect you directly with a registered nurse, registered dietitian, qualified exercise professional, or pharmacist.
If you have a concern about a laboratory service
If you have a concern or question about a laboratory service you have received, you are encouraged to report it:
- For a health authority facility, contact the relevant Patient Care Quality Office
- For LifeLabs, call 604-431-7206 or submit online at www.lifelabs.com/contact-us
- For Dynacare Valley Medical Laboratories, call 250-763-4813 or submit online at valleymedicallaboratories.com/contact-us/
- For Health Gateway support, visit the Health Gateway Support Guide or email HealthGateway@gov.bc.ca
Laboratory system policy updates
HPV (human papillomavirus) testing
Since January 2024, as part of B.C.’s 10-year Cancer Care Action Plan, women and individuals ages 25 to 69 with a cervix can choose to order a kit to self-collect for HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer, or have their sample collected by a health-care provider.
- Learn more about HPV testing in B.C.
- Learn about B.C.’s Cancer Care Action Plan
Pharmacist laboratory test referrals
Effective August 30, 2024, pharmacists are designated as “referring practitioners” in the Laboratory Services Regulation (LSR), under the Laboratory Services Act (LSA). The designation allows them to order certain laboratory tests, as benefits, for the purpose of medication management. The change equips pharmacists with more clinical tools to deliver medication management services. Learn more about Pharmacists ordering lab tests.
BC Ministry of Health teams - Laboratory Services
The Laboratory Services (LS) team is responsible for strategic planning and the development of strategic direction, priorities, and plans regarding the oversight and provision of laboratory services, as described in the LSA and the LSR. The LS Team monitors the laboratory system and works with other Ministry program areas to identify, prepare public response information, and mitigate risks and issues. Collaborating with the PLMS, within Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), the LS Team supports the Ministry (for and on behalf of the Minister of Health) to make determinations under the LSA and LSR, as well as supports helps the PLMS to achieve its mandate related to laboratory services in B.C. including the administration of the LSA.
The Laboratory Quality and Issues (LQI) team leads the Ministry and Government response to high-profile issues related to the delivery of public and private laboratory services in B.C. The team collaborates with laboratory leads in PLMS , health authorities, and publicly funded private lab service providers to investigate and respond to public complaints and inquiries. LQI monitors emerging issues and risks across the laboratory system, identifies opportunities for improvement, and monitors quality and quality improvement projects. The team also supports the Provincial Laboratory Advisory Committee and its innovation priorities, such as the provincial anatomical pathology digital services strategy.
The Laboratory Partnerships and Agreements (LPA) team is responsible for negotiation, monitoring, and oversight of Laboratory Services Agreements. The team is the primary point of contact to support or lead ministry initiatives impacting the Master Laboratory Services Agreement, a tripartite agreement between the Ministry, PHSA and LifeLabs. The team oversees performance in key partner program areas, such as the out-of-province/out-of-country program that supports patient access to critical tests not available in B.C., to ensure public spending accountability.
The LPA team leads consultations and engagement with diverse partners, including provincial health authorities, academic and research institutions, other levels of government, regulatory bodies, and private sector, with the goal of accessible, sustainable, and quality laboratory testing for all British Columbians.