Beryllium is unique among metals of concern in the workplace in having its own proficiency testing program, driven by exceptionally low occupational exposure limits and by the Department of Energy's Beryllium Rule. Over 40 laboratories participate in AIHA's Beryllium Proficiency Analytical Testing (BePAT) program. For several years, there has been interest in using beryllium oxide for the BePAT program, since it is more difficult to dissolve than other forms, such as beryllium metal or alloys, encountered in workplaces. However, until recently, there was no beryllium oxide reference material on which to base proficiency testing, or to determine which sample dissolution methods were effective for BeO. With the advent of NIST SRM 1877, it is now possible to test various dissolution methods and employ BeO in the BePAT. This informational roundtable discusses the development of the BeO reference material, a round robin conducted by the Beryllium Health and Safety Committee, and a BeO pilot conducted in late 2009 by AIHA Proficiency Testing Programs LLC. A discussion of standard analytical methods completes the roundtable.