A certificate of provider-performed microscopy (PPM) is issued to laboratories that:

The issuance of a certificate of provider-performed microscopy (PPM) is specifically meant for laboratories that are engaged in minimal complexity testing. In this context, the certificate allows providers to perform certain types of laboratory tests that are categorized as both waived tests and PPM procedures.

Waived tests are those that have been determined by the FDA to be simple and low-risk, allowing non-laboratory environments to perform them without extensive training or certification. PPM procedures refer to a specific set of tests where a provider performs microscopy on a specimen but does not necessarily engage in more complex laboratory testing.

This framework establishes a clear distinction: laboratories receiving a PPM certificate are not permitted to conduct high-complexity tests or all types of laboratory tests, nor are they limited solely to microbiological tests. Instead, they are designed specifically for simple tests that fit within the categories mentioned. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the essential aspect of PPM laboratory licensing, which is the scope of testing permitted under such a certificate.