Abstract: There is provided a method for directly typing or sequencing HLA class I or class II alleles from a tissue sample wherein at least one exon of the HLA class I or class II alleles from the sample is amplified in a locus specific manner utilizing two primers, wherein at least one of the primers has a universal or generic sequencing primer site incorporated therein. After amplification, the amplified exon(s) are directly sequenced, and a comparison is made between the derived HLA allele sequence and an HLA allele database, thereby giving an exact HLA type for the sample being tested.