The simple, useful, rapid, reproducibility and inexpensive luminescent bacteria toxicity test had become the preferred method for acute toxicity testing of water quality. Detection principle of luminescent bacteria toxicity test, common types of luminescent bacteria, and advances in detection technology of luminescent bacteria toxicity test were introduced in this paper. In addition, acute toxicity testing of water quality research status for industrial wastewater, municipal wastewater, drinking water and surface water, and its applications in the monitoring of water pollution rapid response in emergencies of luminescent bacteria toxicity test were also reviewed.The results show that a convenient，rapid and stable online acute water toxicity testing methods and equipments for water quality monitoring，which are developed by full using of the advantages of luminescent bacteria，will be a research focus of luminescent bacteria toxicity test in the future.