Pre-Employment Drug Testing
Order a drug test online and your candidate walks into one of LabCorp or eScreen collection sites, often the same day. Choose lab-based or instant 5- and 10-panel tests, and most lab results come back in 1–2 business days.
Choose a test
| Test | What it screens for | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 5-panel lab (LabCorp) | Marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, PCP | 1–2 business days |
| 10-panel lab (LabCorp) | 5-panel plus (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, propoxyphene, methaqualone) | 1–2 business days |
| 5-panel instant (eScreen) | Same drugs as the 5-panel lab test | Minutes; non-negative results confirmed at a lab |
| 10-panel instant (eScreen) | Same drugs as the 10-panel lab test | Minutes; non-negative results confirmed at a lab |
| DOT 5-panel | The federal DOT panel | 1–2 business days |
Which sample type is right?
- Urine: the standard for pre-employment testing and the usual sample for DOT tests. Detects use in roughly the past few days.
- Hair: detects a pattern of use over roughly 90 days, but can’t show recent use from the past week.
- Oral fluid: easy to observe, so it’s hard to cheat, and useful after accidents. It has a short detection window.
How drug testing works
- You order the test and choose the panel.
- The candidate gets an email or text with a registration code and nearby collection sites.
- They visit a site, usually without an appointment, and give a sample under standard chain-of-custody procedures.
- The lab tests the sample. Negative results are reported directly to you.
- Non-negative results go to a medical review officer (MRO), a licensed physician who contacts the candidate to check for a valid prescription before anything is reported.
- You get the final result in your dashboard.
What do results mean?
- Negative: no drugs found above the cutoff levels.
- Positive (verified): the MRO confirmed a drug was present with no valid medical explanation.
- Negative-dilute: the sample was too watered-down to be fully reliable. Many employers require a retest.
- Cancelled or refused: a problem with the sample or collection, or the candidate didn’t complete the test as directed.
A prescription the MRO verifies is reported as negative. You never see the candidate’s medical details.
What can delay results?
- The candidate doesn’t go to the collection site. Set a deadline, usually 24–48 hours.
- MRO review of a non-negative result, which can add 1–3 business days while the MRO reaches the candidate.
- Dilute samples that need a recollection.
State and local rules to know
Drug testing laws vary widely. Several states and cities limit pre-employment testing for marijuana, or bar decisions based on off-duty use, except for safety-sensitive and federally regulated jobs. Some states also require written testing policies or specific notice to candidates. Check the rules where the job is located, or ask our support team.
Who uses drug testing?
Transportation, warehousing and manufacturing, healthcare, and staffing firms placing workers into safety-sensitive jobs.
Often ordered with
- Criminal Background Checks for every hire
- DOT Background Checks for CDL drivers
- Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) for driving roles
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a 5-panel and a 10-panel test?
A 5-panel test screens for five common drug classes. A 10-panel test adds five more, including prescription sedatives.
How fast are drug test results?
Most negative lab results come back in 1–2 business days. Non-negative results take longer because a medical review officer confirms them.
Where does the candidate go for the test?
To any LabCorp or eScreen collection sites. They receive a link showing locations near them.
What happens if a candidate takes a prescription drug?
The medical review officer contacts the candidate. If the prescription is valid, the result is reported as negative, and you don’t see any medical details.
Do you test for marijuana in states where it’s legal?
Yes, unless you choose a panel without it. Some states and cities limit pre-employment marijuana testing, so check your local rules.
Can a candidate retake a failed test?
That’s your policy decision. For DOT-regulated jobs, a verified positive triggers the DOT return-to-duty process.
Do you offer random drug testing programs?
Yes
