A pilot survey program for urinary chemistry was implemented by the College of American Pathologists during the year 1976. The 9 analytes selected for the program were amylase, Ca2+, P, Na+, K+, creatinine, osmolality, 17-ketosteroids and total protein. Data obtained from more than 230 enrolled laboratories indicate deficiencies in assay performance for amylase, 17-ketosteroids and total protein as measured by consensus evaluation. Acceptable performance was apparent for the remaining analytes.