Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) Codes are an addition to the CPT® code set approved by the AMA CPT® Editorial Panel. They are alpha-numeric CPT codes with a corresponding descriptor for labs or manufacturers that want to more specifically identify their test. Tests with PLA codes must be performed on human specimens and must be requested by the clinical laboratory or the manufacturer that offers the test.
PLA codes are contained in a non-Category I subsection of the Pathology/Laboratory CPT codes. When a specific PLA code is not listed, the test must be reported using either a CPT Category I laboratory code or an Administrative MAAA code, the latter separately listed in Appendix O.
CPT PLA codes meeting
The deadline for PLA applications is Dec. 9, 2025. The PLA-TAG will discuss PLA applications on Jan. 2, 2026.
The CPT® Editorial Panel will discuss PLA applications at the next CPT Editorial Panel meeting in February 2026. The TAG agenda will be available after the application deadline.
Visit the CPT Editorial Panel meeting page to register for the Panel’s February meeting and download that meeting’s agenda.
For questions or further information, contact CPT staff at [email protected].
Types of PLA code tests
PLA codes, which include many types of tests, have been assigned an alphanumeric structure to expand the code number capacity in the CPT code set and to distinguish these codes from other CPT codes.
The PLA Code section includes (but is not limited to) Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Tests (ADLTs) and Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests (CDLTs) as defined under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA). These analyses may include a range of medical laboratory tests including, but not limited to, Multianalyte Assays with Algorithmic Analyses (MAAA), Genomic Sequencing Procedures (GSP), Infectious Disease/Microbiology, and Chemistry. The descriptor nomenclature follows, where possible, existing code conventions (e.g., MAAA, GSP).
Apply for CPT PLA codes
PLA code change applications are reviewed on a quarterly review cycle and codes submissions are accepted all year. Check the CPT PLA calendar for cycle close dates.
Are you new to the PLA process? Please review the PLA tutorial (PDF) and the FAQ page.
Starting Dec.11 2025, all new PLA code change applications must be submitted via the CPT Smart App. Applications previously submitted and/or drafted in the PLA Platform will remain accessible until Jan.12,2026, but the PLA Platform will no longer be usable. This change does not affect any current or previous PLA panel actions or reviews.
Review instructions for submitting a code change application via the CPT Smart App including:
- CPT Smart App resources and how to use the CPT Smart App, as well as instructional videos
- Submission and requirements for code change applications
- Additional reference materials and resources
If you have additional questions regarding the PLA integration into the Smart App, review the PLA to Smart App FAQs or contact CPT staff at [email protected]
Note the revised PLA application submission deadlines. Contact CPT staff at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding this change.
PLA code change application and publication calendar
PLA test codes will be released and posted online on a quarterly basis (fall, winter, spring and summer) in data files. New codes are effective the quarter following their publication. These codes will also be included in the annual update of the CPT codebook beginning in 2018. Review the application submission calendar for additional information on:
- Application submission deadlines for quarterly review cycle
- Dates for application review by the PLA Technical Advisory Group (PLA-TAG)
- Dates for the CPT® Editorial Panel consideration of applications
- Publication dates for the approved codes
- Effective dates for the new codes
For additional information on the application and review process, visit the FAQs section.
PLA specific requirements
PLA codes are not required to fulfill Category I CPT code criteria. Tests that have a physician work component do not meet eligibility for a PLA code. Applications that are incomplete or contain significant errors after the submission deadline are subject to rejection or termination during review. For an application to be considered complete, the test’s Standard Operating Procedure(s) must be submitted and must describe all aspects of the test.
The standards for inclusion in the PLA section are:
- The test must be commercially available in the United States for use on human specimens by the time the application is submitted.
- The CLIA-certified or accredited clinical laboratory performing the PLA test or the manufacturer offering an FDA-approved, cleared, or classified in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test must request the code.
In addition, per the CPT guidelines for PLA codes, applications must satisfy all applicable criteria for inclusion in the PLA code set, which include:
- All aspects of the analysis must be performed by a single (“sole-source,” including the same or different locations, owned and operated by the same entity) laboratory or licensed or marketed to multiple providing laboratories (e.g., cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration [FDA]).
- Algorithm-only analyses of existing test results, without accompanying biomarker analysis, do not meet eligibility criteria for a PLA code.
Final Rule
On June 23, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare clinical diagnostic laboratory tests payment system final rule page. This Final Rule implements PAMA provisions pertaining to pricing and coding for clinical laboratory tests covered on the Medicare Clinical Lab Fee Schedule (CLFS), as well as reporting requirements for clinical laboratories performing these tests.
CPT PLA codes approved by the CPT Editorial Panel
View the CPT PLA codes with full descriptions, CPT PLA code medium descriptors, and the CPT PLA code short descriptors that were approved by the CPT Editorial Panel.
CPT Proprietary Laboratory Analyses Codes Short Descriptors (PDF, updated Oct. 1, 2025)
CPT Proprietary Laboratory Analyses Codes Medium Descriptors (PDF, updated Oct. 1, 2025)
CPT Proprietary Laboratory Analyses Codes Long Descriptors (PDF, updated Oct. 1, 2025)
