Pre-Employment Drug Test

Workplace drug testing is fairly common in the United States, particularly pre-employment drug testing.  Most employers will require a pre-employment drug test after an offer of employment is made.

The most common pre-employment drug test is the five-panel drug test consisting of: marijuana, opioids, PCP, cocaine, and amphetamines/methamphetamines.  Typically, if you don’t go for the drug test or test positive the offer of employment is withdrawn.

The pre-employment drug test is an investment. Hiring employees that use illicit drugs poses a risk. Costs can be reduced because of theft, turnover, lost productivity, absenteeism, increased health care costs, and more due to drug use.

Pre-employment drug testing is legal in all areas of the United States.  Some states may have some restrictions on pre-employment drug testing for marijuana. It is important to review state laws regarding drug testing for marijuana. It is important for an employer to maintain a drug-free workplace policy when requiring drug testing including pre-employment drug testing.

Employers can access immediate testing for a pre-employment drug test. Setting up an account for pre-employment drug testing is an easy option. Drug-free workplace policies are also available.

Employers regulated by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) are required to perform pre-employment drug testing.  Marijuana is a prohibited substance in this program and testing positive for marijuana on a pre-employment drug test will disqualify an individual from a DOT cover job.  Learn more about DOT covered job positions.

The DOT required drug test for pre-employment is the DOT 5-panel drug test which includes: Marijuana metabolites, Cocaine metabolites, Amphetamines, Opioids, and Phencyclidine (PCP).  For the DOT 5-panel drug test, we can break this down further:

  • The marijuana metabolite is THCA which is the metabolite of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, marijuana’s major psychoactive ingredient)
  • The cocaine metabolite is Benzoylecgonine
  • The Amphetamines panel includes Methamphetamine, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA). The drugs associated with MDMA or MDS are Ecstasy or Molly
  • The Opioids panel includes Codeine, Morphine, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, and 6-Acetylmorphine (6 AM). The 6 AM is the metabolite of heroin

For small and large businesses, National Drug Screening can assist both DOT regulated employers, and Non-DOT regulated employers with their drug testing needs.  Service is available in all areas of the United States. Immediate service is available.

pre-employment drug testing
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