No, NAPT does not ship NAPT Full-Service PT Kits outside of North America. However, NAPT does offer an alternative to the NAPT Full-Service PT Kits, without the trouble of shipping heavy or priceless artifacts. NAPT Intra Manager, AKA Intra Wizard, is our latest online application that was designed for specialized proficiency testing methods and artifacts. With the help of the Intra Wizard, you now have the tool to work directly within your organization to complete your proficiency testing requirements from start to finish. Contact NAPT staff if you have any questions.

Organizations can create a Proficiency Testing (PT) Plan directly within their NAPT Customer Portal. Upon request, NAPT staff are available to assist with the development a PT plan. This is a collaborative process, usually involving a review of the organization’s scope of accreditation and the use of planning tools available in the portal. Once a proposed plan is drafted, it is the organization’s responsibility to review, approve, and notify NAPT of any desired enrollments. This free tool can be used to build a plan that includes both Full-Service kits and the use of the NAPT Intra Wizard, depending on the organization’s needs. Ultimately, the organization owns its PT Plan and is responsible for taking any necessary actions to comply with it. If the organization would like NAPT to follow the plan directly, it must clearly communicate that intent to NAPT staff.

No, we cannot. The participants are anonymous and may not be disclosed by NAPT. Please do not reach out to other labs you may know that are enrolled as that would be a violation of your enrollment.

No. It is the responsibility of the laboratory submitting results to calculate all uncertainties associated with their measurements. It is not NAPT’s role to state whether a reported uncertainty is correct or not; that oversight lies with your organization’s management and, ultimately, the accrediting body that granted your accreditation. The uncertainty of a measurement is a mathematical function calculated by the identity performing the measurement.

Screw-knob weights: Weights in this category are usually cleaned by wiping with a soft non-abrasive material such as high-grade cheesecloth, free from oils or other substances that would leave a residue of any kind on the surface. Occasionally, a weight will have foreign matter adhering to it that requires cleaning by using solvents, applied with a cloth. Ethyl alcohol is a good general solvent. If alcohol does not remove the foreign material, other solvents may be used. Alcohol is then used to remove any film left by the other solvents. Weights with internal cavities should not be immersed in the solvent to avoid the possibility that the fluid will penetrate the opening. Daily/Periodic Cleaning:(Non-sheet metal weights) Before each use clean all weights with a camel hair or other suitable soft brush to remove any particles that might have settled on the weight. Remember to pay special attention to the bottom surfaces, since these tend to be overlooked. One may also use a syringe bulb or compressed air to remove loose particles. If compressed air is used, especially if it comes from a can, the temperature of the weight may be affected, and the weight should not be used for at least 4 hours to allow the weight to return to thermal equilibrium with the environment. If particles are not removed easily, spot cleaning may be necessary. Spot Cleaning: Spot cleaning is recommended when foreign matter is observed on weights that cannot be removed using daily/periodic cleaning methods. Use cheesecloth dampened with ethyl alcohol and gently rub the weight surface in order to remove any residual or stubborn debris from the weight surface. If using alcohol does not remove the foreign debris, repeat the process using other solvents such as window cleaner or distilled water. If solvents other than distilled water and alcohol are used, the weights should be cleaned again using alcohol to remove any residual solvent from the weight. For sheet metal weights or other weights made out of aluminum, alcohol should never be used since alcohol can deteriorate aluminum. After spot cleaning, OIML Class (F2 to M3) weights should not be used for a period of at least 1 hours in order for the weight to return to thermal equilibrium with the environment. References:

The main goal of any enrollment is to compare measurements using your processes and reference values and evaluate your results against other like organizations.

For each enrollment, one set of data is standard. However, many organizations submit data for each technician qualified to perform the specific measurement. If you would like to add additional technicians to your enrollment, please contact NAPT. NAPT Members can have two additional data submittals per enrollment at no additional cost. For non-members, a small fee applies for each additional technician added.

Yes. If you require a retest, please contact us at napt@proficiency.org or call 952-303-6126 to discuss your options. Our staff will be happy to assist you.

No. It is the responsibility of the laboratory submitting results to calculate all uncertainties associated with their measurements. It is not NAPT’s role to state whether a reported uncertainty is correct or not; that oversight lies with your organization’s management and, ultimately, the accrediting body that granted your accreditation. The uncertainty of a measurement is a mathematical function calculated by the identity performing the measurement.

All revised data can be submitted either through your Customer Portal or directly to napt@proficiency.org. Please note: when submitting revised data, you must provide objective evidence supporting your request. All revision requests are subject to approval before any data can be officially revised.

You may select from 1 to 15 measured values for your ILC. The intent is to select and perform measurements within the range you are demonstrating measurement proficiency/competence.

Currently, NAPT does not offer the capability to pay for enrollment fees via the website. That feature will be available soon. NAPT currently uses QuickBooks powered Invoices. There will be an email sent with a link to review and pay your invoice. Please check your email for the payment link provided by NAPT. If you are unable to find it, please contact NAPT at your earliest convenience.

Yes. NAPT accepts ACH transactions and EFT. Please call NAPT for a W9 to set us up in your accounting system.

Yes, please send a detailed email—along with any relevant documents—to napt@proficiency.org. NAPT staff will connect you with the appropriate technical advisor or our Technical Manager, who will be able to assist you.

No. NAPT maintains confidentiality of reports at all times. Participants are responsible for sharing their PT results with their accrediting body.

No. As long as the block is in what is referred to as the “Issue Final Reports “status, participants are welcome to waive the standard 5-day waiting period. Please contact NAPT staff if you wish to have your reports released earlier than schedule.

To assist you with connecting with the relevant advisor about your data results, please select the link for Technical Customer Support and complete the form to request technical assistance. The completed form will then be directed to the correct advisor. Technical Customer Support Technical customer support requests are sent directly to our Technical Advisors for processing and will be responded to as soon as their schedule allows.

No. The technical advisors assigned to a proficiency test do not have access to client data. The technical advisors are given raw data only. We know that one of the most important factors in designing meaningful proficiency tests is the involvement of technical advisors. One of the strengths behind NAPT’s success is the technical experts that assist us on a daily basis. The technical advisor is an expert in the field for which they provide assistance.

Yes, there is an option on the Shipping & Receiving Form. Please indicate your selection on the form and submit it to NAPT accordingly.

Currently, NAPT does not offer the capability to pay for enrollment fees via the website. That feature will be available soon. NAPT currently uses QuickBooks powered Invoices. There will be an email sent with a link to review and pay your invoice. Please check your email for the payment link provided by NAPT. If you are unable to find it, please contact NAPT at your earliest convenience.

Yes. NAPT accepts ACH transactions and EFT. Please call NAPT for a W9 to set us up in your accounting system.

Yes. If you require a retest, please contact us at napt@proficiency.org or call 952-303-6126 to discuss your options. Our staff will be happy to assist you.

No, NAPT does not ship NAPT Full-Service PT Kits outside of North America. However, NAPT does offer an alternative to the NAPT Full-Service PT Kits, without the trouble of shipping heavy or priceless artifacts. NAPT Intra Manager, AKA Intra Wizard, is our latest online application that was designed for specialized proficiency testing methods and artifacts. With the help of the Intra Wizard, you now have the tool to work directly within your organization to complete your proficiency testing requirements from start to finish. Contact NAPT staff if you have any questions.

The main goal of any enrollment is to compare measurements using your processes and reference values and evaluate your results against other like organizations.

All participants are allowed to have the kit on-site for three (3) days. If additional time is needed, participants must contact NAPT staff in advance to arrange an extension and avoid late fees. NAPT staff will make every effort to accommodate special requests. However, if no prior arrangements are made, late fees will be assessed for not processing your ILC/PT within the designated timeframe.

The web site was designed to allow participants to enroll in three kits at once, which is the most common number. Please contact NAPT directly when requesting more than 3 kits so we can apply all discounts you are entitled to for multiple enrollments.

You may select from 1 to 15 measured values for your ILC. The intent is to select and perform measurements within the range you are demonstrating measurement proficiency/competence.

For each enrollment, one set of data is standard. However, many organizations submit data for each technician qualified to perform the specific measurement. If you would like to add additional technicians to your enrollment, please contact NAPT. NAPT Members can have two additional data submittals per enrollment at no additional cost. For non-members, a small fee applies for each additional technician added.