Professional Drug Testing Methods

There are many professional drug-testing methods available for employers or organizations to use, including those using hair samples, saliva samples, and the most commonly-used sample for testing: urine.
Here, First Check explains what you can expect during a professional workplace drug test. First Check understands the technology used in professional drug screening because First Check™ Home Drug Tests are as accurate as a professional urine lab screening.
  • Once a company has determined an employee should be drug tested, the company may outsource the collection of a urine sample to a third party collection agency, which in turn may partner with a testing laboratory.
    • “I certify that I provided my urine specimen to the collector and that I have not adulterated it in any manner. The specimen was sealed in my presence with a tamperevident seal and the information provided on this form and on the label affixed to the specimen tube is correct.”
  • The specimen is then sealed and a preliminary screening takes place, usually on the premises of the collection site.
    • Cannabinoids (marijuana, hash)
    • Cocaine (cocaine, crack, benzoylecognine)
    • Amphetamines (amphetamines, methamphetamines, speed)
    • Opiates (heroin, opium, codeine, morphine)
    • Phencyclidine (PCP)
  • Some companies or facilities may opt for additional drug screening, testing for drugs such as Ecstasy and prescription drugs.
  • Most companies adhere to SAMHSA-identified cut-off levels, which are the >same levels that First Check uses for all First Check™ Home Drug Tests.
  • However, some industries may test for higher or lower cut-off levels than the SAMHSA-identified cut-off levels, depending on their standards.
  • Using the same technology used by the First Check™ Home Drug Tests, the urine sample is tested for the presence of drugs
  • If the preliminary results are Negative for all drugs, the sample does not require confirmatory testing.
  • If the preliminary results are Positive for any or all drugs, the urine sample is shipped to a laboratory for further analysis. The laboratory uses a highlysensitive testing method called gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)to confirm and quantify the drugs of abuse present in the urine sample. GC/MS is considered the gold standard in laboratory testing for most drugs and can determine the amount of drug or drug metabolite in urine and rule out any substances that might cause a false positive through cross-reactivity.
  • When confirmatory testing of the urine sample is complete, test results are provided via mail, fax, or the Internet to the company that ordered the test.