QA - Lab Proficiency Test
-------------------------

A proficiency test (PT) is a type of assessment in which a sample, the composition of which is unknown to the analyst, is provided to test whether the analyst/laboratory can produce analytical results within the specified acceptance criteria. PTs for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbonyls and metals are implemented in the NATTS program and can be used in other programs as well.

*  VOCs and carbonyls are analyzed on site by analyzers. The proficiency test in this case is auditing the on-site analyzer. This means that the monitor id is needed on the transaction to identify the analyzer being assessed. This assessment is referred to as a Field Proficiency Test or Field PT.

*  Metal analysis is performed by a laboratory off site. The proficiency test in this case involves auditing the lab used to analyze the metals. For this case, the monitor id is not appropriate; rather the agency code of the lab is needed to identify the audited lab. This assessment is referred to as a Lab Proficiency Test, or Lab PT.




Format
^^^^^^

.. list-table:: QA - Lab Proficiency Test transaction format
   :widths: 1 5 15 4 3 1
   :header-rows: 1


   * - Seq.
     - Name
     - Description
     - Formatting Rules
     - Required
     - Key
   * - 1
     - `Transaction Type <Transaction%20Type.html>`_
     - Quality Assurance transaction identifier.
     - Must = QA
     - Always
     - 
   * - 2
     - `Action Indicator <Action%20Indicator%20for%20Transaction.html>`_
     - Indicator for Insert, Update, or Delete action.
     - Must = I, U, or D
     - Always
     - 
   * - 3
     - `Assessment Type <Assessment%20Type.html>`_
     - Indicates the specific QA assessment associated with the transaction.
     - Must = Lab Proficiency Test
     - Always
     - Y
   * - 4
     - `Performing Agency <Performing%20Agency.html>`_
     - Agency Code of organization performing assessment.
     - Must exist in AGENCIES reference table.
     - Always
     - Y
   * - 5
     - `PQAO Code <PQAO%20Code.html>`_
     - Agency Code of organization responsible for the quality of data for Monitoring Organization.
     - Must exist in AGENCIES Reference Table.
     - Always
     - Y
   * - 6
     - `Parameter Code <Parameter%20Code.html>`_
     - The AQS parameter code assigned to the monitor in AQS.
     - Must exist in PARAMETERS reference table.
     - Always
     - Y
   * - 7
     - `Assessment Date <Assessment%20Date.html>`_
     - Date that the assessment was performed
     - YYYYMMDD.
     - Always
     - Y
   * - 8
     - `Assessment Number <Assessment%20Number.html>`_
     - A unique number associated with an assessment performed at a site on a given day.  Value should be "1" unless additional same assessments are performed.  
     - Integer.
     - Always
     - Y
   * - 9
     - `Reported Unit <Reported%20Unit.html>`_
     - Units of measure of analyte by Lab.
     - Must exist in UNITS reference table.
     - Unless Delete
     - 
   * - 10
     - `Laboratory Response Value 1 <Lead%20Analysis%20Level%201%20Lab%20Response.html>`_
     - The mass of analyte reported by Lab.  
     - Decimal.
     - Insert
     - 
   * - 11
     - `Assessment Mass 1 <Assessment%20Mass.html>`_
     - The known mass of analyte on the test media.  
     - Decimal.
     - Insert
     -