diff --git a/plugins/instruct-lab/tests/__init__.py b/plugins/instruct-lab/tests/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..38a9531e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/instruct-lab/tests/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# Copyright The FMS HF Tuning Authors
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
diff --git a/plugins/instruct-lab/tests/test_ilab_plugin.py b/plugins/instruct-lab/tests/test_ilab_plugin.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c3185d83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/instruct-lab/tests/test_ilab_plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# Copyright The FMS HF Tuning Authors
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import os
+from fms_acceleration.utils import (
+    instantiate_framework,
+    read_configuration,
+)
+from fms_acceleration_ilab import PaddingFreeAccelerationPlugin
+
+# configuration
+DIRNAME = os.path.dirname(__file__)
+CONFIG_PATH_ILAB = os.path.join(DIRNAME, "../configs/instruct_lab.yaml")
+
+def test_framework_installs_ilab_padding_free_plugin():
+    with instantiate_framework(
+        read_configuration(CONFIG_PATH_ILAB), require_packages_check=False
+    ) as framework:
+        for plugin in framework.active_plugins:
+            assert isinstance(plugin[1], PaddingFreeAccelerationPlugin)
diff --git a/plugins/instruct-lab/tox.ini b/plugins/instruct-lab/tox.ini
index 2c57e68e..7dfd370e 100644
--- a/plugins/instruct-lab/tox.ini
+++ b/plugins/instruct-lab/tox.ini
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ deps =
     -e {toxinidir}/../framework
     pylint>=2.16.2,<=3.1.0
 commands = 
-    pylint src
+    pylint src tests
 allowlist_externals = pylint
 
 [testenv:fmt]