Abstract: WEI Wan-hui, YIN Yue-ping, WANG Hong-chun, ZHONG Ming-ying, HAN Yan, LI Jing. Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College; National Center for Sexually Transmitted Disease Control, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210042, China Corresponding author: YIN Yue-ping, Email: yinyp@ncstdlc.org 【Abstract】 Objective To make a nationwide external quality assessment of serologic tests for syphilis in China, in hope to increase the quality of syphilis serology in laboratories at different levels. Methods From 2006 to 2008, a nationwide external quality assessment scheme was conducted for serologic tests for syphilis in laboratories of some medical and healthcare facilities each year by the Reference Laboratory, National Center for Sexually Transmitted Disease Control, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Five quality control samples and corresponding questionnaires were sent to the participating laboratories. Tests were conducted and test results were reported within stipulated time. Subsequently, the test results were statistically analyzed by the Reference Laboratory, and the final results were fed back to all of these participants. Results From 2006 to 2008, the number of participating provinces increased from 17 to 31, and the number of participating laboratories from 23 to 145. Laboratories achieving a full score amounted to 79.9%, 36.8% and 57.6%, and those gaining a score of 80 or greater amounted to 95.7%, 88.2% and 89.7%, respectively, in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Conclusion The external quality assessment scheme has enhanced the capacity of participating laboratories for syphilis serology to a certain extent from 2006 to 2008.