A survey was conducted to answer two basic questions: 1) What are the medical bacteriology laboratories of Indiana using as criteria for identifying microorganisms? and 2) What is the basis for these criteria? The author developed a questionnaire used as the survey instrument. One hundred fifty questionnaires were mailed to medical laboratories throughout Indiana. Sixty percent of the laboratories responded. This study lists all responses and gives a description and/or evaluation of each procedure.In addition, the researcher discusses some of the factors influencing the type of procedures that are being used. Data collected by this research will be submitted to the biology department at Ball State University to help establish more concrete guidelines that can be used to update course content.