Whether you are new to flow cytometry or are an experienced flow cytometrist, an introduction to flow cytometry is fundamental to teaching and training. This workshop will be presented in 3 parts. The first module reviews the basic principles of flow cytometry in the clinical laboratory. An overview of flow cytometer components, fluorochrome characteristics, spillover and compensation will be provided. The second module describes internal quality control (IQC) and quality systems that should be implemented within a laboratory. Performance monitoring and standardization are integral to quality assurance and control of pre-analytic, analytic and post analytic activities are discussed. Examples of quality control (QC) and external quality assessment (EQA) will be presented in the third module: an Australian perspective of the UK NEQAS and EuroFlow EQA programs and IQC for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection. IQC and EQA may identify shortcomings in the laboratory and provide the information needed to improve QC procedures.