A pilot survey program for urinary chemistry was implemented by the College of American Pathologists during the year 1976. The nine analytes selected for the program were amylase, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, 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.