Edgar Filing: CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

DEF 14A Proxy Statement

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

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CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

3661 Horseblock Road

Medford, NY 11763

(631) 924-1135

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held June 15, 2006

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. will be held on June 15, 2006 at 10:00 am (local time) at the Radisson Hotel, 1730 North Ocean Avenue, Holtsville, New York 11742, for the following purposes:

To elect a Board of Directors consisting of four Directors;

To consider and vote upon a proposal recommended by the Board of Directors to ratify the selection of Lazar, Levine & Felix LLP to serve as our certified independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005; and

3. To transact any other business that properly may come before the Annual Meeting.

Only the stockholders of record as shown on our transfer books at the close of business on April 25, 2006 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 on Form 10-KSB is being mailed to stockholders with this proxy statement. The Annual Report is not part of the proxy soliciting material.

All stockholders, regardless of whether they expect to attend the meeting in person, are requested to complete, date, sign and return promptly the enclosed form of proxy in the accompanying envelope (which requires no postage if mailed in the United States). The person executing the proxy may revoke it by filing with our Secretary an instrument of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by electing to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

All stockholders are extended a cordial invitation to attend the Annual Meeting.

By the Board of Directors

/s/ Lawrence A. Siebert

Medford, New York Lawrence A. Siebert

May 15, 2006 President, Chief Executive Officer &

Chairman of the Board

PROXY STATEMENT

CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

3661 Horseblock Road

Medford, NY 11763

(631) 924-1135

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held June 15, 2006

SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES

This proxy statement is provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., a Nevada corporation (referred to as the “Company” or “Chembio” or “we” or “us”), to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 am (local time) on June 15, 2006 at the Radisson Hotel, 1730 North Ocean Avenue, Holtsville, New York 11742, or at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. We anticipate that this proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy will be first mailed or given to stockholders on or about May 15, 2006.

A stockholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by delivering written notice of revocation to our Secretary, by substituting a new proxy executed at a later date, or by requesting, in person at the Annual Meeting, that the proxy be returned.

The solicitation of proxies is to be made principally by mail; however, following the initial solicitation, further solicitations may be made by telephone or oral communication with stockholders. Our officers, directors, and employees may solicit proxies, but these persons will not receive compensation for that solicitation other than their regular compensation as employees. Arrangements also will be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to beneficial owners of the shares held of record by those persons. We may reimburse those persons for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in so doing. We will pay all expenses involved in preparing, assembling and mailing this proxy statement and the enclosed material.

VOTING SECURITIES

The close of business on April 25, 2006 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of holders of record of the Company’s $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, 9,569,863 shares of Common Stock were outstanding and eligible to be voted at the Annual Meeting. A majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote, represented either in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum at any meeting of the stockholders. If sufficient votes for approval of the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting have not been received prior to the meeting date, we intend to postpone or adjourn the Annual Meeting in order to solicit additional votes. The form of proxy we are soliciting requests authority for the proxies, in their discretion, to vote the stockholders’ shares with respect to a postponement or adjournment of the Annual Meeting. At any postponed or adjourned meeting, we will vote any proxies received in the same manner described in this proxy statement with respect to the original meeting.

VOTING PROCEDURES

Votes at the Annual Meeting are counted by an inspector of election appointed by the Chairman of the meeting. If a quorum is present, an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by those present in person or by proxy is required for the approval of items submitted to shareholders for their consideration, unless a different number of votes is required by Nevada law or our Articles Of Incorporation. Abstentions by those present at the Annual Meeting are tabulated separately from affirmative and negative votes and do not constitute affirmative votes. If a shareholder returns his or her proxy card and withholds authority to vote for any or all of the nominees, the votes represented by the proxy card will be deemed to be present at the meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not be counted as affirmative votes. Shares in the names of brokers that are not voted on a particular matter are treated as not present with respect to that matter.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement includes “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this proxy statement regarding our financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations and capital expenditures are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY’S EQUITY SECURITIES

At the Annual Meeting, holders of 9,569,863 shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the record date, will have the right to vote. Each share, unless otherwise set forth herein, is entitled to one vote. On April 25, 2006, there were 9,569,863 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by each person or entity known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock, each of our directors and each of our “named executive officers” and all of our directors and executive officers as a group as of April 15, 2006.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		Percent of Class
Lawrence Siebert ⁽¹⁾ 3661 Horseblock Road Medford, NY 11763		2,046,139		22.94	%
Avi Pelossof ⁽²⁾ 3661 Horseblock Road Medford, NY 11763		599,314		6.76	%
Javan Esfandiari ⁽³⁾ 3661 Horseblock Road Medford, NY 11763		185,830		2.15	%
Richard Bruce ⁽⁴⁾ 3661 Horseblock Road Medford, NY 11763		100,500		1.17	%
Richard J. Larkin ⁽⁵⁾ 3661 Horseblock Road Medford, NY 11763		99,513		1.16	%
Alan Carus ⁽⁶⁾ 3661 Horseblock Road Medford, NY 11763		51,000		0.60	%
Gary Meller ⁽⁷⁾ 3661 Horseblock Road Medford, NY 11763		51,000		0.60	%
Gerald Eppner ⁽⁸⁾ 3661 Horseblock Road Medford, NY 11763		51,000		0.60	%
All officers and directors as a group⁽⁹⁾		3,184,296		32.49	%
Mark Baum ⁽¹⁰⁾ 580 Second Street, Suite 102 Encinitas, CA 92024		1,400,000		14.99	%
Thunderbird Global Corporation ⁽¹¹⁾ c/o The Baum Law Firm 580 Second Street, Suite 102 Encinitas, CA 92024		487,504		5.74	%
Daniel Gressel ⁽¹²⁾ 460 E. 79^th Street, Apt. 17B New York, NY 10021		462,501		5.42	%
Tomas Haendler ⁽¹³⁾ 31 Cogswell Lane Stamford, CT 06902		454,720		5.33	%

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the Rule 13d-3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as subject to community property laws, where applicable, the person named above has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock shown as beneficially owned by him.

The term “named executive officer” refers to our chief executive officer and each of our other executive officers who received at least $100,000 of compensation in 2005.

This table does not include convertible securities which, due to contractual restrictions, are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this proxy statement. Specifically, at no time may a holder of shares of series A or series B preferred stock convert shares of the series A or series B preferred stock if the number of shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to such conversion would exceed, when aggregated with all other shares of common stock owned by such holder at such time, the number of shares of common stock which would result in such holder beneficially owning (as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act) in excess of either 4.999% or 9.999% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common stock outstanding at such time, unless the holder has provided us with sixty-one (61) days notice that the holder has elected to waive this restriction.

( 1)

Includes 220,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days and 207,566 warrants. Also does not include 1,937,220 shares issuable upon conversion of series A preferred stock, 2,324,666 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants, 88,971 shares issuable upon conversion of series B preferred stock and 77,868 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants because conversion of any of those shares of series A or series B preferred stock or exercise of those warrants would result in the holder beneficially owning in excess of 4.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common stock outstanding at that time.

( 2)

Includes 350,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days and 22,555 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. Does not include 50,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are not exercisable within the next 60 days. Also does not include 10,078 shares issuable upon conversion of series A preferred stock and 12,095 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants because conversion of any of those shares of series A preferred stock or exercise of any of those warrants would result in the holder beneficially owning in excess of 4.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common stock outstanding at that time.

( 3)

Includes 163,750 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days and 2,007 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. Does not include 68,750 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are not exercisable within the next 60 days.

( 4)

Includes 95,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days and 500 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. Does not include 25,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are not exercisable within the next 60 days.

( 5)

Includes 137,500 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days and 250 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. Does not include 43,750 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are not exercisable within the next 60 days. Also does not include 30,236 shares issuable upon conversion of series A preferred stock and 25,196 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants because conversion of any of those shares of series A preferred stock or exercise of any of those warrants would result in the holder beneficially owning in excess of 4.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common stock outstanding at that time.

( 6)

Includes 51,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 36,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are not exercisable within the next 60 days.

( 7)

Includes 51,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 36,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are not exercisable within the next 60 days.

( 8)

Includes 51,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 36,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are not exercisable within the next 60 days.

( 9)

Includes footnotes (1)-(8).

(10)

Includes 850,000 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. Does not include 108,333 shares issuable upon conversion of series A preferred stock and 130,000 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants because conversion of any of those shares of series A preferred stock or exercise of those warrants would result in the holder beneficially owning in excess of 4.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common stock outstanding at that time.

(11)

Does not include 251,963 shares issuable upon conversion of series A preferred stock and 302,356 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants because conversion of any of those shares of series A preferred stock or exercise of any of those warrants would result in the holder beneficially owning in excess of 4.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common stock outstanding at that time. Gustavo Montilla may be deemed to have voting or investment control over the shares held by Thunderbird Global Corporation.

(12)

Includes 42,065 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days.

(13)

Includes 38,197 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 35,556 shares issuable upon conversion of series A preferred stock and 53,334 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants because conversion of any of those shares of series A preferred stock or exercise of any of those warrants would result in the holder beneficially owning in excess of 4.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common stock outstanding at that time.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB are being sent to each stockholder with this proxy statement. Upon written request, we will provide, without charge, a copy of our quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB for the quarters ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 to any stockholders of record, or to any stockholder who owns common stock listed in the name of a bank or broker as nominee, at the close of business on April 25, 2006. Any request for a copy of these reports should be mailed to the Secretary, Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., 3661 Horseblock Road, Medford, NY 11763. Stockholders may also receive copies of these reports by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will elect four directors to serve as our Board of Directors. Each director will be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and thereafter until his successor is elected and qualified. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is required to elect each director. Cumulative voting is not permitted in the election of directors. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the person named in the accompanying proxy shall vote the shares represented by that proxy for the persons named below as management’s nominees for directors. Each of the four nominees currently is a director of the Company.

It is not anticipated that any of the nominees will become unable or unwilling to accept nomination or election, but, if that should occur, the persons named in the proxy intend to vote for the election of such other person as the Board of Directors may recommend.

The following table sets forth, with respect to each nominee for director, the nominee’s age, his positions and offices with the Company, the expiration of his term as a director and the year in which he first became a director. Individual background information concerning each of the nominees follows the table. For additional information concerning the nominees, including stock ownership and compensation, see “Executive Compensation,” “Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s Equity Securities,” and “—Certain Transactions With Management And Principal Stockholders.”

Name	Age	Position(s) and Office(s) with the Company	Expiration of Term of Director	Initial Date as Director
Lawrence A. Siebert	49	Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board	2006 Annual Meeting	May 2004

Dr. Gary Meller	55	Director	2006 Annual Meeting	March 2005

Gerald A. Eppner	66	Director	2006 Annual Meeting	March 2005

Alan Carus	67	Director	2006 Annual Meeting	April 2005

Lawrence A. Siebert (49), President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. Siebert was appointed President of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. and a member of our board of directors upon consummation of the merger with Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. Mr. Siebert has been Chairman of Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. for approximately 12 years and its President since May 2002. Mr. Siebert’s background is in private equity and venture capital investing. From 1982 to 1991, Mr. Siebert was associated with Stanwich Partners, Inc, which during that period invested in middle market manufacturing and distribution companies. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Siebert was an investment consultant and business broker with Siebert Capital Corp. and Siebert Associates LLC, and was a principal investor in a privately held test and measurement company which was sold in 2002. Mr. Siebert received a JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1981 and a BA with Distinction in Economics from the University of Connecticut in 1978.

Dr. Gary Meller (55), Director. Dr. Meller was elected to our Board of Directors on March 15, 2005. Dr. Meller has been the president of CommSense Inc., a healthcare business development company, since 2001. CommSense Inc. works with clients in Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East on medical information technology, medical records, pharmaceutical product development and financing, health services operations and strategy, and new product and new market development. From 1999 until 2001 Dr. Meller was the executive vice president, North America, of NextEd Ltd., a leading internet educational services company in the Asia Pacific region. Dr. Meller also is a limited partner and a member of the Advisory Board of Crestview Capital Master LLC, which was the lead investor in our series B preferred stock private placement. Dr. Meller is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and has an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Gerald A. Eppner (66), Director. Mr. Eppner was elected to our Board of Directors on March 15, 2005. Mr. Eppner is Counsel in the Corporate and Finance Department of Kaye Scholer where his practice includes matters under the federal securities laws. He has engaged in private law practice in New York City for over 40 years and retired as a partner in Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft at the end of 2004 and as Senior Counsel to that firm in 2005. Mr. Eppner is Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Emeritus Capital Partners, LLC, a New York City-based capital strategies firm that specializes in large asset-based securitizations and secondary market intermediation of senior life settlement insurance portfolios. He is also a Managing Director of Access Equity Partners, LLC, a New York-and Chicago-based venture capital firm. Prior to coming to New York, Mr. Eppner was an employee of agencies and departments of the United States government.

Alan Carus, CPA (67), Director, Audit Committee chair. Mr. Carus was elected to Chembio’s Board of Directors on April 15, 2005. He is a co-founder of LARC Strategic Concepts LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to guiding emerging companies to next stage development. Prior to co-founding LARC Strategic Concepts LLC, Mr. Carus was Senior Vice President of Maritime Overseas Corporation (“MOC”) and a senior executive of Overseas Ship holding Group, Inc. (“OSG”) from 1981 to 1998 when he retired. MOC was managing agent for OSG, one of the world’s largest ship-owners. He was a member of OSG’s senior management committee and had senior responsibility in areas relating to administration, accounting, tax, finance, budgets, long-range projections, and human resources. Mr. Carus was involved in numerous acquisitions, debt and equity offerings, complex transaction structuring, and was active in the management of OSG’s major investments in the cruise industry and other development stage companies. From 1964 to 1981, he was with Ernst & Young (including predecessors), the last seven years as a partner. Mr. Carus has a B.B.A. from the Baruch School of Business of the City College of New York.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the election of the four nominees listed above.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Other Executive Officers

The following table sets forth with respect to each other executive officer, the officer’s age, the officer’s positions and offices with the Company, the expiration of his term as an officer and the period during which he has served, either the Company or Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc.

Name	Age	Position With Company	Initial Date as Officer
Richard J. Larkin	49	Chief Financial Officer	2003

Avi Pelossof	43	Vice President Sales, Marketing and Business Development	2001

Javan Esfandiari	39	Director of Research & Development	2004

Rick Bruce	51	Vice President, Operations	2004

Les Stutzman	54	Vice President of Marketing	2005

Tom Ippolito	43	Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance and Quality Control	2005

Richard J. Larkin (49), Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Larkin was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. upon consummation of the merger. Mr. Larkin oversees our financial activities and information systems. Mr. Larkin has been the Chief Financial Officer of Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. since September 2003. Prior to joining Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc., Mr. Larkin served as CFO at Visual Technology Group from May 2000 to September 2003, and also led their consultancy program that provided hands-on expertise in all aspects of financial service, including the initial assessment of client financial reporting requirements within an Enterprise Resource Planning (Manufacturing) environment through training and implementation. Prior to joining VTG, he served as CFO at Protex International Corporation from May 1987 to January 2000. Mr. Larkin holds a BBA in Accounting from Dowling College and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Avi Pelossof (43), Vice President Sales, Marketing and Business Development. Mr. Pelossof joined Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. in 1996 and has been responsible for developing Chembio Diagnostic System’s marketing strategy and collaborations. From 1991 to 1996, he was Managing Director and co-founder of The IMS Group, Inc., which provided strategic marketing advisory services to companies involved in Latin American markets including Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. Prior to IMS he was a Citibank Vice President in the International Corporate Finance Group focused on Latin America. Mr. Pelossof received his MBA in finance and international business from New York University in 1986 and a BA with Distinction in economics from the University of Michigan in 1984.

Javan Esfandiari (39), Director of Research & Development. Mr. Esfandiari joined Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc. in 2000. Mr. Esfandiari co-founded, and became a co-owner of Sinovus Biotech AB where he served as Director of Research and Development concerning lateral flow technology until Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. acquired Sinovus Biotech AB in 2000. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Esfandiari was Director of Research and Development with On-Site Biotech/National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden, which was working in collaboration with Sinovus Biotech AB on development of veterinary lateral flow technology. Mr. Esfandiari received his B.Sc. in Clinical Chemistry and his M. Sc. in Molecular Biology from Lund University, Sweden. He has published articles in various veterinary journals and has co-authored articles on tuberculosis serology with Dr. Lyashchenko.

Rick Bruce (51), Vice President, Operations. Mr. Bruce was hired in April 2000 as Director of Operations. He is responsible for production, maintenance, inventory, shipping, receiving, and warehouse operations. Prior to joining Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc., he held director level positions at Wyeth Laboratories from 1984 to 1993. From 1993 to 1998, he held various management positions in the Operations department at Biomerieux. From 1998 to 2000, he held a management position at V.I. Technologies. Mr. Bruce has over 25 years of operations management experience with Fortune 500 companies in the field of in-vitro diagnostics and blood fractionation. Mr. Bruce received his BS in Management from National Louis University in 1997.

Les Stutzman (54), VP of Marketing. In 2005, Mr. Stutzman joined Chembio as Vice President of Marketing to lead the development and launch of rapid tests for veterinary and human TB and other veterinary products. Mr. Stutzman has spent over twenty years in marketing leadership positions within various diagnostics companies. He has held Global Director and Business Development Director positions in Marketing for diagnostic companies including bioMérieux Inc., (formerly Organon Teknika Corp.), Durham, North Carolina from 1997 to 2002 and TREK Diagnostic Systems, Cleveland, Ohio from 2002 to 2005. Mr. Stutzman received his MBA in Marketing from Duke University Fuqua School of Business in 1988 and his Masters in Microbiology from Wagner College in 1982. Mr. Stutzman is MT (ASCP) SM certified.

Tom Ippolito (43), VP of Regulatory Affairs, QA and QC. Mr. Ippolito joined Chembio in June 2005. He has over twenty years experience with in vitro diagnostics for infectious diseases, protein therapeutics, vaccine development, Process Development, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Management. Over the years, Mr. Ippolito has held Vice President level positions at Biospecific Technologies, Corp. from 2000 - 2005, Director level positions in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Process Development and Regulatory Affairs at United Biomedical, Inc. from 1987 - 2000. Since 2003, he has been a guest instructor for "drug development process" and "FDA regulations", a BioScience Certificate program at New York State University of Stony Brook.

Each of our officers serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among our officers and directors.

Certain Transactions With Management And Principal Stockholders

Mark L. Baum, our former president prior to the merger and a former director of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., entered into a nine-month employment agreement with Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., effective upon the closing of the merger, pursuant to which Mr. Baum received 400,000 shares of our common stock as well as a warrant to acquire 425,000 shares of common stock at $.60 per share and a warrant to acquire an additional 425,000 shares of common stock at $.90 per share. The warrants expire five years after the date of grant. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Baum was to advise Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. concerning management, marketing, strategic planning, corporate structure, business operations, expansion of services, acquisitions and business opportunities, matters related to our public reporting obligations, and our overall needs through February 5, 2005. Mr. Baum also invested $65,000 in the private placement of series A preferred stock, pursuant to which he received 2.167 shares of series A preferred stock convertible into 108,350 shares of common stock, and a warrant to purchase 130,020 shares of common stock. Mr. Baum also owns 300,000 shares of our common stock in addition to the stock and warrants described above. In November of 2004 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 4,333 shares of common stock. Prior to the merger, Mr. Baum was the sole director and officer of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. On March 18, 2005, as compensation for Mr. Baum’s service on the Board of Directors of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., the exercise price of Mr. Baum’s warrant to acquire 425,000 shares of common stock at $.90 per share was reduced to $.75 per share. Mr. Baum received no other compensation for his services on the Board of Directors.

Lawrence A. Siebert, the president and chairman of the board of directors of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. beginning at the time of and after the merger, and the president and chairman of Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. since May 2002, held two promissory notes issued by Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. One note was issued on August 1, 1999 in the original principal amount of $338,125, bearing interest at a rate of 11% per annum. The other was issued on April 25, 2001 in the original principal amount of $795,937, bearing interest at a rate of 12% per annum. Mr. Siebert converted the entire outstanding principal amount of the 11% note and $561,875 principal amount of the 12% note into 30 shares of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s series A preferred stock, together with warrants to acquire 1,800,000 shares of common stock at $.90 per share, pursuant to Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s private placement of its series A preferred stock on May 5, 2004. The shares of series A preferred stock held by Mr. Siebert are convertible into 1,547,100 shares of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s common stock. The remaining debt of $234,062 held by Mr. Siebert was exchanged on December 29, 2004 into 7.80208 shares of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s series A preferred stock, together with warrants to acquire 468,125 shares of common stock at $.90 per share, pursuant to the terms of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s private placement of its series A preferred stock on May 5, 2004. Approximately $236,852 of accrued interest on the debt is also due to Mr. Siebert, but is not accruing interest. The accrued interest will be paid out according to the terms of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s private placement of its series B preferred stock on January 28, 2005. Mr. Siebert also invested $50,000 in our series B preferred stock private placement pursuant to which he received 1 share of series B preferred stock convertible into 81,967 shares of common stock and a warrant to purchase 77,868 shares of common stock.

Mr. Siebert also invested $18,700 in Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. pursuant to a private placement of convertible notes on March 22, 2004. Mr. Siebert converted the entire principal amount of the note that he received, together with accrued interest thereon, into .942 shares of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s series A preferred stock, together with warrants to acquire 56,520 shares of common stock at $.90 per share, pursuant to Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s private placement of its series A preferred stock on May 5, 2004. In November of 2004 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 61,884 shares of common stock. Mr. Siebert exercised a warrant to purchase 66,869 shares of common stock on December 30, 2004 at a price of $0.45 per share. These shares were gifted by Mr. Siebert to a third party. In May of 2005 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 72,234 shares of common stock. In July of 2005 as payment of dividends on the series B preferred he received .03871 shares of series B preferred stock In November of 2005 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 77,488 shares of common stock.

Mr. Siebert prior to March 22, 2004 had either advanced funds to Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc. or paid vendors directly on Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc.’s behalf. The total amount so paid or advanced and not repaid totaled $182,181 as of December 31, 2005.

Richard J. Larkin, the Chief Financial Officer of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., invested $10,000 in Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. pursuant to the March 22, 2004 private placement of convertible notes. Mr. Larkin converted the entire principal amount of the note that he received, together with accrued interest thereon, into .504 shares of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s series A preferred stock, together with warrants to acquire 30,240 shares of common stock at $.90 per share, pursuant to Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s private placement of its series A preferred stock on May 5, 2004. In November of 2004 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 1,007 shares of common stock. In May of 2005 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 999 shares of common stock. In November of 2005 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 1,007 shares of common stock.

Avi Pelossof, the vice president of sales and marketing of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., invested $4,000 in Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. pursuant to the March 22, 2004 private placement of convertible notes. Mr. Pelossof converted the entire principal amount of the note that he received, together with accrued interest thereon, into .202 shares of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s series A preferred stock, together with warrants to acquire 22,555 shares of common stock at $.90 per share, pursuant to Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s private placement of its series A preferred stock on May 5, 2004. In November of 2004 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 403 shares of common stock. In May of 2005 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 399 shares of common stock. In November of 2005 as payment of dividends on the series A preferred he received 403 shares of common stock.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of the Company’s common stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. The Company believes that during the year ended December 31, 2005, its officers, directors and holders of more than 10% of the Company’s common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements, except the following filings were filed late: (i) Form 4 for Gerald Eppner filed on March 25, 2005; (ii) Form 4 for Gary Meller filed on March 25, 2005; (iii) Form 4 for Alan Carus filed on April 22, 2005; (iv) Form 4 for Richard Larkin on May 17, 2005; (v) Form 4 for Avi Pelossof filed on May 17, 2005; (vi) Form 4 for Lawrence Siebert filed on May 17, 2005; (vii) Form 4 for Lawrence Siebert filed on November 17, 2005.

Board of Directors and Committees

The Board of Directors held five meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and each director participated in at least 75% of those meetings and meetings of the committees on which he served. Although the Company does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board of Directors at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, the Company encourages each director to attend. One director attended last year’s annual meeting.

The Company’s audit committee met three times in 2005 and consists of Alan Carus, Gerald A. Eppner, and Dr. Gary Meller. The board of directors has determined that Mr. Carus is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under the rules of the SEC. Each of the members of the audit committee is “independent,” as that term is defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the Nasdaq Stock Market. This committee oversees, reviews, acts on and reports to our Board of Directors on various auditing and accounting matters including: the selection of our independent accountants, the scope of our annual audits, fees to be paid to the independent accountants, and the performance of our independent accountants. A copy of the committee’s charter is attached to this proxy as Appendix A.

The Company’s nominating and corporate governance committee met one time in 2005 and consists of Alan Carus, Gerald A. Eppner, and Dr. Gary Meller. Each of the committee’s members is “independent,” as that term is defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The committee (i) identifies individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors, (ii) recommends director candidates to the Company’s Board of Directors, (iii) develops, updates as necessary, and recommends to the Company’s Board of Directors corporate governance principles and policies, and (iv) monitors compliance with such principles and policies. The committee’s charter is attended to this proxy statement as Appendix B.

To be considered for nomination by the Board at the next annual meeting of stockholders, the nominations must be made by stockholders of record entitled to vote. Stockholder nominations must be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class U.S. mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal business address, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders at which directors are to be elected. Each notice of nomination of directors by a stockholder shall set forth the nominee’s name, age, business address, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in that notice, the principal occupation or employment of each nominee for the five years preceding the date of the notice, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock beneficially owned by each nominee and any arrangement, affiliation, association, agreement or other relationship of the nominee with any Company stockholder.

Stockholders wishing to send communications to the Board may contact Lawrence Siebert, our CEO, President and Chairman, at the Company’s principal executive office address. All such communications shall be shared with the members of the Board, or if applicable, a specified committee or director.

The Company’s compensation committee met two times in 2005 and consists of Alan Carus, Gerald A. Eppner, and Dr. Gary Meller. The compensation committee establishes salaries, incentives and other forms of compensation for officers and employees. The compensation committee also administers our incentive compensation plan.

Audit Committee Report

This report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under either of such Acts.

The audit committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committee reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the unaudited financial statements included in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the first three quarters of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

The committee discussed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, the auditors’ judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed by the auditors with the committee under Statement on Auditing Standard No. 61, as amended. In addition, the committee discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence from management and the Company, including the matters in the written disclosures and the letter required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. The committee considered whether the auditors’ providing services on behalf of the Company other than audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence.

The committee discussed with the Company’s independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The committee will meet with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of the auditors’ examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the committee approved inclusion of the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005 for filing with the SEC.

The Audit Committee

Dr. Gary Meller

Gerald A. Eppner

Alan Carus

Executive Compensation

The following table summarizes the annual compensation paid to Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s Named Executive Officers for the three years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003:

Name and Position	Year		Annual Comp Salary		Long-Term Compensation Awards—Securities Underlying Stock Options
Lawrence A. Siebert, President, CEO, Chairman of Board of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. ⁽¹⁾		2005 2004 2003	$	160,151 145,994 140,641		— 160,000 —
Avi Pelossof, Vice President of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. ⁽²⁾		2005 2004 2003	$	154,165 154,635 83,077		50,000 250,000 —
Javan Esfandiari, Vice President of Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc.⁽³⁾		2005 2004 2003	$	155,046 129,323 88,269		50,000 110,000 —
Richard Bruce, Vice President of Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc. ⁽⁴⁾		2005 2004 2003	$	116,765 114,286 110,326		25,000 35,000 —
Richard J. Larkin, CFO of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.⁽⁵⁾		2005 2004 2003	$	123,673 97,385 19,594		50,000 — 50,000

(1)

Mr. Siebert currently is a director, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., and the President of Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. The compensation information represents compensation earned while employed by Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. In 2004, Mr. Siebert received, prior to the merger, 50,000 options exercisable at $0.75 and 10,000 options exercisable at $1.00. In addition as part of his contract signed in May 2004, Mr. Siebert received 50,000 options with an exercise price of $1.20 per share, becoming exercisable in May 2005 and 50,000 options with an exercise price of $1.50 per share becoming exercisable in May of 2006.

(2)

Mr. Pelossof currently is a Vice President of both Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. and Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc. The compensation information represents compensation earned while employed by Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. In 2004, Mr. Pelossof received, prior to the merger, 40,000 options exercisable at $0.75 and 10,000 options exercisable at $1.00. In addition as part of his contract signed in May 2004, Mr. Pelossof received 100,000 options exercisable at $0.60 per share, becoming exercisable in May 2004, 50,000 options exercisable with an exercise price of $0.90 per share, becoming exercisable in May 2005 and 50,000 options with an exercise price of $1.35 per share becoming exercisable in May of 2006. In May 2005, Mr. Pelossof received 25,000 options with an exercise price of $0.80 per share, becoming exercisable in January 2006 and 25,000 options with an exercise price of $0.80 per share becoming exercisable in January of 2007.

(3)

Mr. Esfandiari currently is a Vice President of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. and Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc. The compensation information represents compensation earned while employed by Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. In 2004, Mr. Esfandiari received, prior to the merger, 30,000 options exercisable at $0.75 and 5,000 options exercisable at $1.00. In addition as part of his contract signed in May 2004, Mr. Esfandiari received 25,000 options exercisable at $0.90 per share, becoming exercisable in May 2005, 25,000 options with an exercise price of $1.20 per share, becoming exercisable in May 2006 and 25,000 options with an exercise price of $1.50 per share becoming exercisable in May of 2007. In May 2005, Mr. Esfandiari received 25,000 options with an exercise price of $0.80 per share, becoming exercisable in January 2006 and 25,000 options with an exercise price of $0.80 per share becoming exercisable in January of 2007.

(4)

Mr. Bruce currently is a vice president of Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. The compensation information represents compensation earned while employed by Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. Mr. Bruce received, prior to the merger, 20,000 options exercisable at $0.588, 10,000 options exercisable at $0.75 and 5,000 options exercisable at $1.00. In May 2005, Mr. Bruce received 12,500 options with an exercise price of $0.80 per share, becoming exercisable in January 2006 and 12,500 options with an exercise price of $0.80 per share becoming exercisable in January of 2007.

(5)

Mr. Larkin currently is the Chief Financial Officer of both Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. and Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc. The compensation information represents compensation earned while employed by Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. In 2003, Mr. Larkin received, prior to the merger, 50,000 options exercisable at $0.45. In May 2005, Mr. Larkin received 25,000 options with an exercise price of $0.80 per share, becoming exercisable in January 2006 and 25,000 options with an exercise price of $0.80 per share becoming exercisable in January of 2007.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding stock options granted to the named executive officers during the year ended of December 31, 2005.

	Individual Grants
Name	Number of Securities Underlying Options/SARs Granted (#)	Percentage of Total Options/ SARs Outstanding	Exercise or Base Price ($/Sh)	Expiration Date
Avi Pelossof	25,000	1.75%	0.80	5/17/10
Avi Pelossof	25,000	1.75%	0.80	5/17/10
Javan Esfandiari	25,000	1.75%	0.80	5/17/10
Javan Esfandiari	25,000	1.75%	0.80	5/17/10
Richard Bruce	12,500	0.87%	0.80	5/17/10
Richard Bruce	12,500	0.87%	0.80	5/17/10
Richard J. Larkin	25,000	1.75%	0.80	5/17/10
Richard J. Larkin	25,000	1.75%	0.80	5/17/10

There were no options were exercised by the named executive officers in the last fiscal year.

Employment Agreements

Mr. Siebert. On May 5, 2004, Mr. Siebert and the Company entered into an employment agreement, effective May 10, 2004, which terminates on May 10, 2006. Pursuant to the employment agreement Mr. Siebert serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and is entitled to receive a base compensation of $150,000 per year, subject to periodic review by the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Siebert is eligible to participate in any profit sharing, stock option, retirement plan, medical and/or hospitalization plan, and/or other benefit plans except for disability and life insurance that the Company may from time to time place in effect for the Company’s executives during the term of Mr. Siebert’s employment agreement. If Mr. Siebert’s employment agreement is terminated by the Company without cause, or if Mr. Siebert terminates his employment agreement for a reasonable basis, including within 12 months of a change in control, the Company is required to pay as severance Mr. Siebert’s salary for six months. Mr. Siebert has agreed for a period of two years after the termination of his employment with the Company not to induce customers, agents, or other sources of distribution of the Company’s business under contract or doing business with the Company to terminate, reduce, alter, or divert business with or from the Company.

Mr. Pelossof. On May 5, 2004, Mr. Pelossof and the Company entered into an employment agreement, effective May 10, 2004, which terminates on May 10, 2007. Pursuant to the employment agreement Mr. Pelossof serves as the Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development of the Company and is entitled to receive a base compensation of $120,000 per year, with annual salary increases of not less than five percent, and subject to periodic review by the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Pelossof is eligible to participate in any profit sharing, stock option, retirement plan, medical and/or hospitalization plan, and/or other benefit plans except for disability and life insurance that the Company may from time to time place in effect for the Company’s executives during the term of Mr. Pelossof’s employment agreement. If Mr. Pelossof’s employment agreement is terminated by the Company without cause, or if Mr. Pelossof terminates his employment agreement for a reasonable basis, including within 12 months of a change in control, the Company is required to pay as severance Mr. Pelossof’s salary for six months. Mr. Pelossof has agreed for a period of two years after the termination of his employment with the Company not to induce customers, agents, or other sources of distribution of the Company’s business under contract or doing business with the Company to terminate, reduce, alter, or divert business with or from the Company.

Mr. Esfandiari. On May 5, 2004, Mr. Esfandiari and the Company entered into an employment agreement, effective May 10, 2004, which terminates on May 10, 2007. Pursuant to the employment agreement Mr. Esfandiari serves as the Director of Research & Development for the Company and is entitled to receive a base compensation of $115,000 per year, subject to periodic review by the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Esfandiari is eligible to participate in any profit sharing, stock option, retirement plan, medical and/or hospitalization plan, and/or other benefit plans except for disability and life insurance that the Company may from time to time place in effect for the Company’s executives during the term of Mr. Esfandiari’s employment agreement. If Mr. Esfandiari’s employment agreement is terminated by the Company without cause, or if Mr. Esfandiari terminates his employment agreement for a reasonable basis, including within 12 months of a change in control, the Company is required to pay as severance Mr. Esfandiari’s salary for six months. Mr. Esfandiari has agreed for a period of two years after the termination of his employment with the Company not to induce customers, agents, or other sources of distribution of the Company’s business under contract or doing business with the Company to terminate, reduce, alter, or divert business with or from the Company.

Director Compensation

All non-emploee directors are paid an annual retainer of $18,000, paid semi-annually, and 36,000 stock options, with an exercise price equal to the market price on the date of the grant. One-third of each non-employee director's stock options are exercisable on the date of grant, one-third become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and one-third become exercisable on the second anniversary of the date of grant. The audit committee chair director is paid an annual retainer of $2,500, paid semi-annually. In addition, the non-employee directors are paid $1,000 in cash for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended, and paid $500 in cash for each telephonic Board of Directors meeting. The non-employee directors who are members of a committee of the Board of Directors are paid $500 in cash for each committee meeting attended, or $750 in cash for each committee meeting attended if that non-employee director is the committee chairman. In addition, in December 2005, each of the three non-employee directors was granted options to purchase 15,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

ITEM 2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF LAZAR, LEVINE & FELIX LLP

AS CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

The audit committee of the Company's Board of directors has appointed Lazar Levine & Felix LLP ("Lazar") of New York, New York to serve as the Company's certified independent accountants to audit the Company's financial statements for the 2006 fiscal year. On June 1, 2004, the Company's Board of Directors initially engaged Lazar to serve as the Company's certified independent accountants to audit the Company's financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. Lazar was originally the audit firm for Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. before Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. became our wholly-owned subsidiary in May 2004.

It is expected that one or more representatives of Lazar will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Audit Fees

For the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, Lazar billed the Company $99,000 and $92,000, respectively, for fees for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-QSB and 10-KSB.

Audit-Related Fees

For the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, Lazar did not provide the Company with any assurances or related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements that are not reported above under “Audit Fees.”

Tax Fees

For the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, Lazar billed the Company $9,100 and $14,008, for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

All Other Fees

For the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, Lazar billed the Company $17,700 and $48,890 for fees associated with the preparation and filing of the Company’s registration statements, responses to SEC comment letters and other related matters.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies

The Audit Committee (and prior to the adoption of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors) approves in advance all audit and non-audit services performed by Lazar, Levine & Felix LLP. There are no other specific policies or procedures relating to the pre-approval of services performed by Lazar, Levine & Felix LLP.

Required Vote; Board Recommendation

An affirmative vote of the majority of shares represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is necessary to ratify the selection of auditors. There is no legal requirement for submitting this proposal to the stockholders; however, the Board of Directors believes that it is of sufficient importance to seek ratification. Whether the proposal is approved or defeated, the Board may reconsider its selection of Lazar.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote FOR ratifying the selection of the certified public accounting firm of Lazar Levine & Felix LLP to serve as the Company’s certified independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 or until the Board of Directors, in its discretion, replaces them.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters that are to be presented at the Annual Meeting, and it has not been advised that any other person will present any other matters for consideration at the meeting. Nevertheless, if other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the stockholders present, or the persons, if any, authorized by a valid proxy to vote on their behalf, shall vote on such matters in accordance with their judgment.

RESOLUTIONS PROPOSED BY INDIVIDUAL STOCKHOLDERS;

DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO VOTE PROXIES

Under Rule 14a-8(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to our next annual meeting of stockholders following the end of our 2006 fiscal year, proposals by individual stockholders must be received by us no later than January 15, 2007.

In addition, under Rule 14a-4(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act, the proxy solicited by the Board of Directors for the next annual meeting of stockholders following the end of our 2006 fiscal year will confer discretionary authority on any stockholder proposal presented at that meeting unless we are provided with notice of that proposal no later than March 31, 2007.

* * * * *

This Notice and Proxy statement are sent by order of the Board of Directors.

Dated: May 15, 2006 /s/ Lawrence A. Siebert

Lawrence A. Siebert, President,

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

* * * * *

PROXY PROXY

CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 15, 2006

Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence A. Siebert, Richard Larkin, or either of them, as proxies with full power of substitution to vote all the shares of the undersigned with all of the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (the “Corporation”) to be held at 10:00 a.m. (local time) on June 15, 2006, at the Radisson Hotel, 1730 North Ocean Avenue, Holtsville, New York 11742, or any adjournments thereof, on the following matters:

[X] Please mark votes as in this example.

1. To elect the following four directors:

Nominees: Lawrence A. Siebert, Dr. Gary Meller, Gerald A. Eppner, and Alan Carus.

FOR ALL NOMINEES [ ]

WITHHELD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES [ ]

FOR ALL NOMINEES EXCEPT AS NOTED ABOVE [ ]

2. To ratify the selection of Lazar, Levine & Felix, LLP as the Corporation’s certified independent accountants.

[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN

3. In their discretion, to vote upon an adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

[ ] YES [ ] NO [ ] ABSTAIN

4. In their discretion, to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

[ ] YES [ ] NO [ ] ABSTAIN

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)

Unless contrary instructions are given, the shares represented by this proxy will be voted in favor of Items 1, 2, 3, and 4. This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.

EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE.

MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE BELOW [ ]

Number of voting shares:

Dated: ____________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________

Signature if held jointly

(Please sign exactly as shown on your stock certificate and on the envelope in which this proxy was mailed. When signing as partner, corporate officer, attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, etc., give full title as such and sign your own name as well. If stock is held jointly, each join owner should sign.)

APPENDIX A

CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

Purpose and Authority

The purpose of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is to assist the Board of Directors (the “Board”) in overseeing: (1) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; (2) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (3) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; (4) the performance of the Company’s internal auditors, if applicable, and independent auditor; and (5) compliance with the Company’s code of ethics for senior financial officers and compliance with the Company’s code of conduct for all Company personnel. The Committee shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent auditor. The Committee shall also have all authority necessary to fulfill the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Committee in this Charter or otherwise assigned to it by the Board. The Committee shall fulfill its oversight role by performing the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Charter.

As the Committee deems appropriate, it may retain independent counsel, accounting and other professionals to assist the Committee without seeking Board approval with respect to the selection, fees or terms of engagement of any such advisors.

Committee Structure and Expertise

The Committee shall consist of at least three directors, or such other number as the Audit Committee may have and remain in compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Nasdaq Stock Market, who shall be appointed by the Board. Each member of the Committee shall be “independent” as that term is defined in Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) Rule 4200(a)(15) and shall otherwise meet the independence and experience requirements of Nasdaq, Section 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Board may, at any time and in its complete discretion, replace a Committee member. Each member of the Committee shall be financially literate and shall, at a minimum, be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. No member of the Committee shall have participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or any current subsidiary of the Company at any time during the three years prior to that member being appointed to the Committee. At least one Committee member shall have, through education and experience as a public accountant or auditor, or a principal financial officer, controller or principal accounting officer or a chief executive officer, or from performance of similar functions, sufficient financial expertise in accounting and auditing so as to be a “financial expert”, in accordance with such regulations as may be applicable to the Company from time to time.

If the Committee is aware of any material noncompliance with the structure or expertise requirements set forth above, the Committee shall report such noncompliance to the Board.

A-1

Meetings

The Committee shall meet as often as necessary, at least on a quarterly basis. The Committee shall meet periodically in separate, private sessions with each of management, the independent auditor and the internal auditors to discuss anything the Committee or these groups believe should be discussed. The Committee may require any Company officer or employee or the Company’s outside counsel or external auditor to attend a Committee meeting or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee, and to provide pertinent information as necessary. In the absence of a member designated by the Board to serve as chair, the members of the Committee may appoint from among their number a person to preside at their meetings.

The Committee shall maintain minutes and other relevant documentation of all its meetings.

Committee Authority and Responsibilities

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities, in addition to any duties and responsibilities assigned to the Committee from time to time by the Board:

Engagement of Independent Auditor

The Committee has the sole authority to approve all audit engagement fees and terms, as well as all significant non-audit engagements with the independent auditor. The Committee shall be directly responsible for overseeing the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Committee.

The Committee shall pre-approve all audit and non-audit services as the independent auditor is permitted to provide, subject to de minimus exceptions for other than audit, review, or attest services that are approved by the Committee prior to completion of the audit. Alternatively, the engagement of the independent auditor may be entered into pursuant to pre-approved policies and procedures established by the Committee, provided that the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular services and the Committee is informed of each service. In considering whether to pre-approve any non-audit services, the Committee shall consider whether the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining the independence of the auditor.

·	The Committee shall ensure that the Committee’s approval of any non-audit services is publicly disclosed pursuant to applicable laws, rules and regulations.

The Committee shall have the authority to engage, without Board approval, independent legal, accounting, and other advisors as it deems necessary to carry out its duties. The Company shall provide appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, to compensate the independent auditor, outside legal counsel, or any other advisors employed by the Committee, and to pay ordinary Committee administrative expenses that are necessary and appropriate in carrying out its duties.

A-2

Evaluate Independent Auditor’s Qualifications, Performance and Independence

·	At least annually, the Committee shall evaluate the independent auditor’s qualifications, performance and independence, including that of the lead audit partner.

At least annually, the Committee shall obtain and review the letter and written disclosures from the independent auditor consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, including a formal written statement by the independent auditor delineating all relationships between the auditor and the Company; actively engage in a dialogue with the auditor with respect to that firm’s independence and any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditor; and take, or recommend that the Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the outside auditor.

The Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by the Statement of Auditing Standards (“SAS”) No. 61, as amended from time to time, together with any other matters as may be required for public disclosure or otherwise under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Review Financial Statements and Financial Disclosure

The Committee shall review and discuss the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor, including disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, the report of the independent auditor thereon, the disclosures regarding critical accounting estimates, and shall discuss any significant issues encountered in the course of the audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of activities, access to required information or the adequacy of internal controls.

If so determined by the Committee, based on its review and discussion of the audited financial statements with management and the independent auditor, its discussions with the independent auditor regarding the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61, and its discussions regarding the auditor’s independence, recommend to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB.

·	The Committee shall review the CEO and CFO’s disclosures and certifications set forth in the Company’s Forms 10-QSB and 10-KSB under Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

The Committee shall discuss earnings press releases, as well as the financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. This may be done generally and does not require the Committee to discuss in advance each earnings release or each instance in which the Company may provide earnings guidance.

Periodic Assessment of Accounting Practices and Policies

The Committee shall obtain and review timely reports from the independent auditor regarding: (1) all critical accounting policies to be used; (2) all alternative treatments of financial information within GAAP that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor; and (3) other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.

·	The Committee shall review with management and the independent auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures on the financial statements of the Company.

·	The Committee shall review changes in promulgated accounting and auditing standards that may materially affect the Company’s financial reporting practices.

The Committee shall review any reports by management regarding the effectiveness of, or any deficiencies in, the design or operation of internal controls and any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls. Review any report issued by the Company’s independent auditor regarding management’s assessment of the Company’s internal controls.

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Proxy Statement Report of Audit Committee

·	The Committee shall prepare the report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

Related-Party Transactions

·	The Committee shall review and approve all related-party transactions, including transactions between the Company and its officers or directors or affiliates of officers or directors.

Hiring Policies

·	The Committee shall set clear hiring policies for the Company’s hiring of employees and former employees of the independent auditor who were engaged on the Company’s account, and ensure that such policies comply with any regulations applicable to the Company from time to time.

Ethics Compliance and Complaint Procedures

·	The Committee shall develop, and monitor compliance with, a code of ethics for senior financial officers pursuant to, and to the extent required by, regulations applicable to the Company from time to time.

·	The Committee shall develop, and monitor compliance with, a code of conduct for all Company employees, officers and directors pursuant to, and to the extent required by, regulations applicable to the Company from time to time.

·	The Committee shall establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters.

·	The Committee shall establish procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

Evaluation

The Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter at least annually and submit proposed changes to the Board for approval. The Committee has the powers and responsibilities delineated in this Charter. It is not, however, the Committee’s responsibility to prepare and certify the Company’s financial statements, to guaranty the independent auditor’s report, or to guaranty other disclosures by the Company. These are the fundamental responsibilities of management and the independent auditor. Committee members are not full-time Company employees and are not performing the functions of auditors or accountants.

The Committee shall obtain or perform an annual evaluation of the Committee's performance and make applicable recommendations for improvement.

It is not the responsibility of the Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine whether the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate or in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles.

*****

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Appendix B

CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

COMMITTEE CHARTER

Purpose and Authority

The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) is to (i) identify individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), (ii) recommend director candidates to the Board, (iii) develop, update as necessary and recommend to the Board corporate governance principles and policies applicable to the Company, and (iv) monitor compliance with such principles and policies.

The Committee also shall have all authority necessary to fulfill the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Committee in this Charter or otherwise assigned to it by the Board.

Composition

Independence

The Committee shall be composed of three or more directors, as determined by the Board, and shall meet the independence standards required by the NASDAQ, Section 10A-3 of the Securities Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), to the extent that Section 10A-3 is applicable to membership on the Committee, and any regulations of the Securities Exchange and Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, one director who is not independent and who is not a current employee of, or an immediate family member of a current employee of, the Company may be appointed to the Nominating Committee if the Board, under exceptional and limited circumstances, determines that membership on the Committee by the individual is required by the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and the Board discloses such determination, the nature of the relationship, and the reason for the determination in the next annual proxy statement or, if the Company does not file a proxy statement, in the next annual report on Form 10-KSB. A director who is appointed to the Committee pursuant to this exception may not serve in excess of two years.

Appointment and Removal of Members

The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Chair of the Board following the Chair’s consultation with the incumbent Chair of the Committee. The Board may remove any member from the Committee at any time with or without cause.

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Duties and Responsibilities:

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities, in addition to any duties and responsibilities assigned to the Committee from time to time by the Board.

Director Selection

·	Review, approve and recommend for Board consideration director candidates based on the Director Selection Guidelines outlined in Exhibit A to this Charter, and advise the Board with regard to nomination or election of director candidates.

·	Periodically review, approve and recommend to the Board appropriate revisions to the Director Selection Guidelines outlined in Exhibit A to this Charter.

·	Determine procedures for the review, approval and recommendation of director candidates, as appropriate.

·	Determine procedures for the consideration of shareholder-recommended Board candidates.

Periodic Disclosure

Prepare the disclosure required in the Company’s proxy statement which explains the process used to identify and evaluate nominees for the board of directors, including an explanation of:

1. Director Nomination Process

a. The “minimum qualifications” that must be met for a nominee to be recommended by the Committee, including any specific qualities or skills necessary for a nominee.

b. Whether the Company has a policy regarding consideration of shareholder-recommended Board candidates and, if not, why not. The Committee must describe the material terms of any policy, including whether the Committee will consider shareholder-recommended candidates and, if so, what the procedures are for recommending them.

c. The Committee’s process for identifying and evaluating potential nominees for the Board, including shareholder-recommended candidates. If shareholder-recommended candidates are evaluated on a different basis from other candidates, the Committee must disclose and explain these differences. For all nominees proposed by the Committee for election (other than executive officers or current directors standing for reelection) the Committee must disclose which of the following recommended each nominee: shareholder; non-management director, CEO, other executive officer; third party search firm; or other source. The Committee must disclose the identity and role of any third party engaged to identify or evaluate potential Board candidates.

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d. If a 5% or greater shareholder (or group) that has held its position for at least a year recommends a director candidate at least 120 days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of the prior year’s proxy statement, the Committee must disclose the name of the candidate and of the recommending shareholder, and whether the Company nominated the candidate.

e. The Committee shall assist the Board in preparing disclosure regarding any material change to the procedures for shareholder nomination of directors. The disclosure will be made in the Form 10-QSB filed for the period in which the material change occurred (or the Form 10-KSB, for the fourth quarter). Adopting procedures for the first time will be considered a material change.

2. Shareholder Communications with the Board

The Committee shall disclose whether the Company has a process for shareholders to communicate with the Board and, if not, why not. Finally, the Committee must explain the process shareholders should use for sending communications to the Board or to specific individual directors.

Board and Board Performance

·	Periodically review and recommend to Board appropriate size of the Board.

·	Periodically review appropriateness of any restrictions on Board service, such as term limits and retirement policy.

·	Recommend to Board standards regarding Company’s definition of “independence” as such term relates to directors (taking into account, among other things, Nasdaq requirements and any other laws and regulations applicable to the Company).

·	Establish performance criteria/expectations for directors in areas of attendance, preparedness, candor and participation.

·	Establish, coordinate and review with the Chair of Board criteria and method for evaluating the effectiveness of the Board.

·	Recommend frequency of regular meetings of non-management directors and develop format for such meetings, including selection of presiding director at such meetings.

·	Determine method of communications between (i) employees, shareholders and other interested parties and (ii) non-management directors and/or the presiding non-management director.

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Board Leadership

·	Develop and recommend to the Board procedures for selection of the Chair of the Board.

·	Develop and recommend to the Board procedures for Board review of, and for communicating such review to, the Chair of the Board.

Board Relationship to Senior Management

·	Monitor process and scope of director access to Company management and employees and communications between directors and Company management and employees.

Meeting Procedures

·	Develop annual meeting calendar for Board.

·	Develop process for preparing agendas for, organizing and running Board meetings.

·	Determine appropriate timing for distribution of Board materials to allow directors adequate time to review materials and prepare for meetings.

Board Committee Matters

·	Recommend to Board, as appropriate, number, type, functions, structure and independence of committees.

·	Annually recommend to Board director membership on Board committees and advise Board and/or committees with regard to selection of Chairs of committees. (The Committee should consider rotation of Chairs and committee members when making its recommendations).

·	Determine criteria and procedures for selection of committee members and Chairs, as appropriate.

·	Establish and coordinate with applicable committee Chair criteria and method for evaluating the effectiveness of the committees.

Director Orientation and Continuing Education

·	Periodically review and revise, as appropriate, the Company’s director orientation program.

·	Monitor, plan and support continuing education activities of the directors.

Governance Policies

·	Develop, review and recommend to the Board, as appropriate, other principles and policies relating to corporate governance; and monitor compliance with and the effectiveness of such principles and policies, as appropriate.

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Committee Reports to Board

·	Provide minutes of Committee meetings to the Board and report to the Board on any significant matters arising from the Committee’s work.

Meetings

The Committee shall establish a meeting calendar annually. The Committee may hold such other meetings as are necessary or appropriate in order for the Committee to fulfill its responsibilities. In the absence of a member designated by the Board to serve as Chair, the members of the Committee may appoint from among their number a person to preside at their meetings.

Evaluation

The Committee shall review and reassess this Charter at least annually and, if appropriate, propose changes to the Board.

The Committee shall obtain or perform an annual evaluation of the Committee’s performance and make applicable recommendations.

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EXHIBIT A

Director Selection Guidelines

The Charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board requires the Committee to develop and periodically review and recommend to the Board appropriate revisions to these Director Selection Guidelines. The following guidelines have been adopted by the Board upon the recommendation of the Committee.

Director Qualifications

When considering potential director candidates for nomination or election, directors should consider the following qualifications, among others, of each director candidate:

·	High standard of personal and professional ethics, integrity and values;

·	Training, experience and ability at making and overseeing policy in business, government and/or education sectors;

·	Willingness and ability to keep an open mind when considering matters affecting interests of the Company and its constituents;

·	Willingness and ability to devote the required time and effort to effectively fulfill the duties and responsibilities related to Board and committee membership;

·	Willingness and ability to serve on the Board for multiple terms, if nominated and elected, to enable development of a deeper understanding of the Company’s business affairs;

·	Willingness not to engage in activities or interests that may create a conflict of interest with a director’s responsibilities and duties to the Company and its constituents; and

·	Willingness to act in the best interests of the Company and its constituents, and objectively assess Board, committee and management performances.

Board Composition Selection Criteria

The Board believes that its effectiveness depends on the overall mix of the skills and characteristics of its directors. Accordingly, the following factors, among others, relating to overall Board composition should be considered when determining Board needs and evaluating director candidates to fill such needs:

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·	Independence;

·	Diversity (e.g., age, geography, professional, other);

·	Professional experience;

·	Industry knowledge (e.g., relevant industry or trade association participation);

·	Skills and expertise (e.g., accounting or financial);

·	Leadership qualities;

·	Public company board and committee experience;

·	Non-business-related activities and experience (e.g., academic, civic, public interest);

·	Board continuity (including succession planning);

·	Board size;

·	Number and type of committees, and committee sizes; and

·	Legal and Nasdaq, or other applicable trading exchange or quotation system, requirements and recommendations, and other corporate governance-related guidance regarding board and committee composition.

Selection Procedures

Potential director candidates should be referred to the Chair of the Committee for consideration by the Committee and possible recommendation to the Board. The Committee shall maintain a list of director candidates to consider and propose to the Board, as required. If necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Committee, the Committee will determine appropriate means for seeking additional director candidates, including engagement of any outside consultant to assist the Committee in the identification of director candidates.

The Committee shall decide on the appropriate means for the review, recommendation and/or selection of individual director candidates, including current directors, and the recommendation of director candidates to the Board. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Chair of the Committee shall initiate the effort to identify appropriate director candidates.

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