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Clear allWhat Does a Drug-Free Workplace Program Include?
SAMHSA says most successful programs have five parts: a written policy, employee education, supervisor training, drug testing, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Read moreHow Does Oral Fluid Drug Testing Compare with Urine Testing?
HHS publishes separate guidelines for urine and oral fluid, and DOT added oral fluid to Part 40 in 2023. Collection differs: urine is at least 45 mL, while oral fluid bottles hold at least 1 mL each.
Read moreWhat Is Chain of Custody in Drug Testing?
Chain of custody is the documented record of who handled a specimen and when, kept on the Federal CCF from collection until the specimen is destroyed (49 CFR 40.3).
Read moreCan Employers Drug Test In-House?
Yes, employers can lawfully run in-house drug testing, with some exceptions. Instant and point-of-collection tests are not authorized for DOT testing.
Read moreWhat Is the Difference Between DOT and Non-DOT Drug Tests?
DOT tests follow federal rules, HHS-certified labs and a five-drug panel for transportation roles. Non-DOT tests follow company policy and state law and can screen for more drugs.
Read moreWhat Do Collection Sites Need to Know About the 2026 Federal CCF?
The revised 2026 Federal CCF took effect April 27, 2026. The 2023 CCF may be used until May 31, 2027, and from then on an MFR must be completed if it is used (49 CFR 40.205(b)(2)).
Read moreCan an MRO Report Marijuana Positive as Negative for State-Legal Use?
No. An MRO cannot report a lab-confirmed marijuana positive as negative for state-licensed use. State medical cards and dispensary records do not meet 49 CFR 40.137(a), and state marijuana is not FDA-approved.
Read moreHow to Find HHS Certified Drug Testing Labs?
Use the SAMHSA Certified Lab List, or contact SAMHSA at workplace@samhsa.hhs.gov or 240-276-2600. Then call the lab directly to confirm who handles account setup and sample submission.
Read moreWhat Are DOT Requirements for Drug Testing?
Key requirements are a secure private collection site, a trained and qualified collector, a chain of custody form, a set collection procedure, and testing by HHS-certified laboratories.
Read moreSAMHSA Guidelines: What Are Drug Testing Cut-Off Levels?
SAMHSA's HHS Mandatory Guidelines set cut-offs for federal programs, while DOT sets its own in 49 CFR Part 40. Non-DOT panels are chosen by the lab or test maker, and the test method also matters.
Read moreIs a Qualified Urine Collector Also Qualified for DOT Oral Fluid Collections?
No. DOT treats urine collector qualification (49 CFR 40.33) and oral fluid qualification (40.35) as separate. A urine collector still needs oral fluid training and proficiency demonstrations.
Read moreWhat Is a Urine Drug Screen (UDS)?
A urine drug screen detects drugs or their metabolites in a urine sample. The test takes minutes, results can take 24-48 hours, and it shows whether a drug was detected, not the level of intoxication.
Read moreWhat Is a Urine Test and How Is It Used for Drug Testing?
A urine drug test analyzes a urine sample for certain drugs or their by-products, such as amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opioids and PCP. Workplaces, sports bodies and the justice system use it.
Read moreWhat Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid approved as a pain reliever and anesthetic, about 100 times more potent than morphine. Most illicit fentanyl comes from clandestine manufacturing, per the DEA.
Read moreWhat Are the HHS Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing?
HHS Mandatory Guidelines set standards for federal agency drug testing and the labs, collectors and MROs serving them. Who they cover and what is pending.
Read moreWhat Is an Invalid Drug Test Result?
An invalid result means a lab could not establish a positive, negative, adulterated or substituted result. The HHS criteria and what the MRO does next.
Read moreWhat Does a pH Invalid Result Mean in a Urine Drug Test?
HHS treats urine pH from 4 to under 4.5, or 9 to under 11, as invalid. How pH 9.0 to 9.5 is reviewed and what HHS has proposed changing.
Read moreWhat Is a Biomarker in Drug Testing?
A biomarker is an endogenous substance used to validate a specimen. HHS has not yet authorized routine biomarker testing. What the 2026 proposals would do.
Read moreWhat Is an HHS-Certified Instrumented Initial Test Facility (IITF)?
An IITF performs initial urine drug tests for federal agencies under HHS certification. How it differs from a lab, and why DOT does not allow IITFs.
Read moreWhich Organizations Does HHS Approve to Certify Medical Review Officers?
HHS approves AAMRO and MROCC to certify Medical Review Officers. How approval works under Section 13.2 and why the list is renewed every two years.
Read moreHow Can the Public Comment on the Proposed 2026 HHS Drug Testing Guidelines?
HHS takes comments on its proposed urine and oral fluid drug testing guidelines through December 28, 2026, at regulations.gov or by mail or delivery.
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