Once a laboratory is admitted into the program, there are requirements that need to be met in order to maintain program status. This involves the participation in the proficiency check sample program, an annual announced or unannounced on-site laboratory review, and the payment of maintenance fees.

For the purpose of this program, a laboratory approval year will be the same as a calendar year, January 1 through December 31. During the approval year, one prepared sample of almonds will be sent to each program laboratory monthly for a total of ten months and ten samples. There will be no samples sent the months of July and August. The laboratory must analyze each sample and send the results to the Program Manager by the date indicated. A statistical analysis will be performed on the results and reported to the laboratory. The laboratory must meet expected performance standards.