Key Takeaways:
- The 5-drug test panel detects marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP) in urine specimens.
- The 5-drug panel ensures compliance with federal laws (e.g., DOT) and promotes workplace safety by detecting high-risk drugs, reducing accidents and liability.
- Negative results are typically available within 1 business day, while positive results undergo confirmatory testing, ensuring accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
The 5-drug test panel is the most widely used drug screening method by employers, schools, and government agencies in the United States. Designed to detect the most commonly abused substances, the test helps ensure workplace safety, compliance, and accountability.
In this post, we’ll break down what’s included in a 5-drug test panel, why it’s used, how results are reported, and how WorkforceQA can help employers administer compliant and reliable drug testing programs.
What is a 5-Drug Test Panel?
A 5-panel drug test was originally developed in the 1980s by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and remains the standard for federally mandated workplace testing.
It uses forensic urinalysis to detect drug metabolites—the chemical traces left behind in the body after drugs are processed. While limited to five drug categories, the testing detects multiple substances within that group.
This test is especially common for:
- DOT-regulated positions (e.g., commercial drivers)
- Pre-employment workplace testing
- Random workplace drug testing
- Post-accident investigations
What Does a 5-Drug Test Panel Include?
The 5-drug test panel analyzes for drugs/metabolites in five primary drug classes. Some of the five drug classes include testing for more than one drug or drug metabolite. For DOT-mandated drug testing, all the drugs and metabolites indicated below are included in the 5-Drug Test Panel. Other workplace drug testing may test for fewer of the drugs/metabolites within a drug class. For example, an employer may choose to test for only heroin, codeine and morphine in the Opiate/Opioid class of drugs.
1. Marijuana (THC)
Detects tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, as well as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid,(THCA), the major non-psychoactive metabolite. Even as marijuana legalization expands under many state laws, marijuana remains a federally prohibited substance, particularly in DOT safety-sensitive positions.
2. Cocaine (benzoylecgonine)
Includes all forms of cocaine, including its major metabolite benzoylecgonine. Cocaine is a powerful central nervous stimulant that impacts cognitive and motor functions and can impair judgment and reaction time.
3. Opiates/Opioids
Includes heroin, morphine, and codeine, as well as powerful prescription opioids such as hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone and oxymorphone. Opiates/opioids are known to be highly addictive and can pose major safety risks in the workplace.
4. Amphetamines
Detects amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and MDA. These stimulants when used without medical authorization are a significant risk factor for performing safety-critical tasks such as vehicle operation, machine maintenance, and complex cognitive thinking.
5. Phencyclidine (PCP)
Also known as angel dust, PCP is an illicit hallucinogen that can cause hallucinations and delusions that prompt dangerous behaviors, confusion, or aggression.
Why Employers Use the 5-Drug Test Panel
1. Compliance with Federal & State Laws
For DOT-regulated transportation industries, the 5-drug test panel is mandatory.
2. Workplace Safety
The 5-drug panel includes the most widely abused Schedule I and II drugs which are considered the most dangerous of the controlled substances. By detecting and deterring high-risk drug use, employers can reduce workplace accidents, injuries, and costly liability claims.
3. Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
A 5-drug test panel strikes a balance between broad detection and affordability, making it the preferred option for many industries.
How Fast Are 5-Drug Test Panel Results?
- Negative results are typically available within 1 business day after the laboratory receives the sample.
- Positive, adulterated or substituted results require additional confirmatory testing (via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, GC/MS), which usually takes 2–3 business days after the lab receives the specimen.
- Once confirmatory testing is complete, results undergo Medical Review Officer (MRO) review. The MRO ensures accuracy, verifies prescriptions where applicable, and determines whether the result is verified as a positive or refusal to test.
This extra step ensures both fairness for the candidate and compliance for the employer, reducing the risk of false positives and maintaining the integrity of the drug testing process.
Expanding Beyond the 5-Drug Panel
While the 5-drug test panel is the baseline in workplace drug testing, some employers opt for expanded drug panels, such as a 10-drug test panel, which typically includes substances like benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and methadone.
WorkforceQA helps employers choose the right panel based on industry standards, job duties, and compliance requirements.
Get Compliant With WorkforceQA Drug & Alcohol Testing Solutions
At WorkforceQA, we provide federally compliant, fast, and reliable drug testing solutions to keep your workforce safe and your company in full compliance.
👉 Learn more about WorkforceQA’s Drug & Alcohol Testing Services and ensure your hiring process meets DOT, FMCSA, and workplace safety standards.
