How Long Do Drug Test Results Take: A Complete Guide
Whether you’re joining the military, pursuing a career in healthcare or politics, or joining a sports team, it’s reasonable to assume that at some point, you’ll be required to undergo pre-employment drug tests to prove your sobriety.
While marijuana is becoming more widely accepted as a recreational drug around the country, the career paths that are heavily influenced by public safety will continue to test its employees, purely out of caution for safety.
Say you've done the groundwork for a drug test, be it undergoing a detox, consuming a cleansing solution to eliminate toxins, or implementing other measures to secure a negative result.
What comes next is the waiting period, but for how long? This article sheds light on the typical waiting periods for receiving results from legal, medical, and pre-employment drug tests, offering precise estimates to help you effectively anticipate your outcomes.
Drug Testing Results
Drug test results are typically available on the same day they’re conducted or may take a few days to be processed. The timeframe for receiving results varies based on the type of drug test administered, such as urine, saliva, or more comprehensive tests like hair or blood analysis, with the latter often requiring more time than standard urine tests.
| FYI: Every state has its own laws regarding drug testing and employee rights. Be sure you fully understand these laws and your rights as an employee when you sign your employment contract. |
Common Types of Drug Tests
Here are the common tests that can effectively detect illicit drugs in the system.
Urine
Urine tests are the most common type of test used to detect drug use. Commonly selected by employers and various organizations, urine tests are inexpensive, offer quick results, and are non-invasive. The individual undergoing the test must provide a urine sample, which is then tested by a qualified lab tech to determine whether any drugs are in the person’s system.
You will likely get the test back within 24 hours if you have negative results. If you have a positive test result, it can take up to 72 hours to hear back from your provider.
| Did You Know: If the initial urine sample returns with a positive test result, the lab will likely complete additional testing to ensure accurate results. |
Saliva
A saliva test, known as a mouth swab test, is commonly used in pre-employment drug testing scenarios. The person conducting the test will swab the inside of your mouth, waiting 2 minutes to ensure the sample has adequate saliva to be tested. The sample is sent to a lab to be analyzed. A saliva test conveys Most negative results in 1 to 2 business days.
Hair
If you’re involved in a family court or other legal matter, you may be required to undergo hair follicle testing to prove your sobriety. More and more organizations are beginning to use the hair follicle test for pre-employment drug tests because of its ability to detect any drug use up to 90 days (and oftentimes, longer) since testing.
During a hair drug test, a tech will cut a small sample from the root of your hair (or hair on other body parts if you are bald) and send it off to be analyzed. Hair follicle drug test results are typically available within 3-5 days.
Blood
Blood sample drug tests are common in healthcare settings, where a doctor or other professional monitors your health. The blood is drawn using a small needle from a vein in the arm, and a few vials will be filled with blood to be analyzed by a lab.
Typical results from a blood test are available between 1-5 business days.
What Are Drug Tests Looking For?
This table breaks down the different panel drug tests and what drugs they test for.
| Test Type |
Cocaine |
THC |
PCP |
Meth |
Opiates |
MDMA |
Amphetamines |
Oxy-
codone
|
| 6 panel |
X |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
| 7 panel |
X |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
| 10 panel |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
| 12 panel |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Factors Affecting How Long Results Take
Several factors can impact how long results will take. These include the following:
Type of Test
Urine and saliva tests usually return the fastest, while blood and hair drug screenings can take longer.
Drugs Screened
Most pre-employment drug testing involves a 5 or 6-panel test, which checks for drugs including cannabis, cocaine, PCP, opiates, and amphetamines. Results from these panel tests are available within 24 hours or up to 3 days. More extensive tests, like the 10 or 12-panel test, can take longer because the lab is testing for more substances, including Oxycodone, MDMA, Quaaludes, and more.
Lab Provider
Depending on the company's lab provider, some results come back within 24 hours, while others take longer, up to 5 business days. This can depend on whether they offer rapid testing options, their technology, staffing, and more.
Results
The lab can report its findings quickly if the test results are negative. If a drug test reveals positive results, additional testing is required to guarantee it’s not a false positive and to ensure the accuracy of the test.
Situations Requiring Drug Tests
Pre-employment drug testing is more common than ever, especially as technology advances and makes it very convenient to test in-house. Here are the standard situations that require drug tests.
Pre-Employment Drug Testing
Pre-employment drug testing is done to protect both the employers and their staff. For some companies, a negative drug test is required as part of your pre-employment contract, or you must undergo random drug screening at any time. Most employers want to hire individuals who don’t put them at risk, whether that be a safety hazard, high turnover, productivity, or theft.
| Did You Know: The most common industries that require pre-employment drug testing include government, hospitals, transportation, education, private security, aerospace, and construction. |
Probation
For those in trouble with the law who are on probation, drug testing is a common occurrence that will help keep individuals out of the prison system. Regular drug testing can dissuade individuals from drug use and give the individual a better chance at recovery. Failing to pass a drug test while on probation usually results in jail time.
Legal/Custody Battles
In legal battles and cases involving children, standard drug tests are often required. If drug abuse is suspected by either party and brought to the judge’s attention, both parties usually have to pass a drug test to prove their sobriety and ability to keep the children safe and well-cared for effectively.
Sports
In organized and professional sports settings, drug testing is required to ensure no athlete is using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), steroids, hormones, and some prescription drugs to enhance their abilities. In this environment, drug screening levels the playing field (no pun intended) and ensures the safety of all participants, players, coaches, and staff.
If You Fail: Questions Worth Asking
Failing a drug test can result in job loss, custody issues, and a slew of other unfortunate circumstances that prevent you from enjoying your life. If you do fail a drug test, you may meet with the lab’s medical review officer, who will ask questions to ensure the lab’s quality control is up to industry standards.
Here are a few questions you can ask the medical review officer to protect yourself and your reputation if you receive a positive test result.
- How does the lab handle samples?
- Are they NIDA/CAP certified?
- Do they participate in appropriate proficiency testing?
- What are their track records in the proficiency testing kit?
- Have they ever failed a proficiency test?
- What are the qualifications of the technical staff performing the test?
- What technologies do they use to screen and confirm?
Testing at Home
Many individuals prefer to test at home before their official drug screening so they can be adequately prepared. Testclear has a range of at-home testing products designed for accuracy and convenience. Let’s explore those here.
Testclear At-Home Kit options can test for:
- Amphetamine
- Barbiturate
- Ecstasy
- Methamphetamine
- Nicotine
- Oxycodone
- Steroids
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Opiates
- And more!
Testclear’s At-Home Marijuana Kit.
Rather than going into your drug test unprepared, Testclear’s products give you an accurate picture of what’s in your system; whether you take prescription drugs, use substances recreationally, or have recently been exposed to toxins. Get the information you need using our convenient, reliable at-home testing products.
Pass Your Next Drug Test with Flying Colors
Understanding what drug test you’ll be required to take is vital as you plan accordingly. Whether you need to detox or take serious steps to ensure you receive negative results, Testclear is here to help.
For over 20 years, we’ve been a leading provider of drug testing solutions to ensure our customers can maintain employment and continue living their lives as they please. Explore our detox and cleansing kits, drug test kits, and more.