The Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) voted this week to fully accredit the University of Florida Racing Laboratory (UFRL) pursuant to the RMTC Laboratory Accreditation Program.
The laboratory, which performs testing of horse racing samples for the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, is the tenth to become accredited by the RMTC since 2013.
With the addition of the Florida laboratory, RMTC-accredited laboratories are responsible for the testing of samples for 32 pari-mutuel racing jurisdictions in the U.S. The only racing commissions not utilizing an RMTC-accredited laboratory are Louisiana (Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse), South Dakota (Quarter Horse) and Delaware (Harness only).
Pass two rounds of the rigorous RMTC External Quality Assurance Program (EQAP).
Accredited laboratories are required to participate in EQAP testing each year following their accreditation as well. This, along with the RMTC’s one-of-a-kind double-blind testing program comprise one of the most rigorous standards for maintaining accreditation.
“The University of Florida Racing Laboratory is delighted to have successfully obtained full RMTC Laboratory Accreditation,” said UFRL associate director Margaret Wilding.
As RMTC Executive Director and COO Dr. Dionne Benson previously noted, the addition of the Florida laboratory would not have been possible without support and assistance from The Stronach Group, the Florida HBPA, the Florida Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, the Florida Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering, and the leadership of the UFRL.