Government Drug Testing
Health Street provides fast and accurate government drug screening, both for job candidates and current employees. Options include the standard 5-panel drug test, which tests for the most commonly used substances, and more advanced screening panels that check for a wide range of illicit substances. Our professional services help streamline the government recruiting process, allowing employers to hire top talent quickly and efficiently.
Order online today or call (888) 378-2499.
What Drug Tests Does Health Street Offer in the Government Industry?
Employment Drug Tests
With thousands of locations nationwide, Health Street offers drug tests tailored to fit the needs of employers in the Government industry. Our comprehensive drug tests are analyzed by SAMHSA certified laboratories so that employers can hire fearlessly.
Urine Drug Test
(starting at $75)
Urine drug testing is the most common method of testing ordered by employers. This is a cost-effective, time-tested method for comprehensive employee drug screening.
ORDER URINE DRUG TESTHair Drug Test
(starting at $175)
For drug testing with a longer detection window, employers sometimes choose hair drug tests. Hair drug testing can detect drug use up to 90 days back.
ORDER HAIR DRUG TESTAlcohol Test
(starting at $77)
Alcohol tests are used to determine if a person is currently intoxicated or if a person has been drinking in the past. Health Street offers a variety of alcohol tests depending on the window of detection that is needed.
ORDER ALCOHOL TESTEmployment Drug Test
(starting at $75)
Prevent liability, ensure safety in the workplace, and protect the health of your staff with Health Street's employment drug testing.
ORDER DRUG TESTDOT Drug Test
(starting at $95)
The Department of Transportation regulates the specific requirements for employee drug testing. Health Street offers DOT drug testing to ensure compliance with DOT regulations.
ORDER DOT DRUG TESTMobile Drug Testing
(starting at $300)
Schedule on-site drug tests for 10 or more employees, or request immediate dispatch for post-accident emergency drug testing.
ORDER MOBILE DRUG TESTTesting Designated Positions
Government pre-employment drug screening and random drug testing are both required for certain jobs, known as "testing designated positions" (TDP). While each government agency can decide which positions are classified as TDP, SAMHSA issued guidance in 2010. These guidelines created a list of jobs that should be considered TDP, those that "may be" considered TDP, and those that are "disfavored" from being designated as TDP.
Based on this, positions that are typically classified as TDP include:
Other workers, including firefighters, pharmacists, health care professionals, and individuals who hold a confidential security clearance, are not universally required to take a drug test. However, these may be classified as TDPs at the agency's discretion.
Government Drug Screening
Federal Laws Specific to Government Employment Drug Screening
The right and obligation of certain government agencies to drug test employees is governed by two specific laws. The first is the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, which requires all U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies to require drug and alcohol testing for any employee working in "safety-sensitive transportation." This act applies to most transportation employees, whether they are federal employees or not, and it also supersedes any other federal drug testing policies.
The second law that gives legal authority for a government drug test is Executive Order 12564. This "Drug-Free Workplace" order, which was signed into law by President Reagan in 1986, prohibits illegal drug use by any federal employee, regardless of whether they are on or off duty.
EO 12564 applies to all federal employees, but it also requires government agencies to establish their own drug-free workplace policies in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). As a result, most federal agencies have similar drug testing policies. The bulk of federal agencies test for the same drugs; however, there may be differences in their random drug testing requirements.
Government Drug Screening for Safety-Sensitive Industries
EO 12564 states that all federal employees who work in "law enforcement, national security, the protection of life and property, public health or safety, or other functions requiring a high degree of public trust" must undergo mandatory drug testing.
In addition to DOT employees, special rules also apply to those working for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Government contractors working for the DOD are regulated by the Drug-Free Workplace 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 223.5. It provides guidelines for drug testing for reasonable suspicion or when an employee has had an accident or been involved in an unsafe practice. Employees who fall under these regulations may also be drug tested as part of a voluntary employee drug testing program, or as part of a rehabilitation or counseling program. The regulations also require covered contractors to ensure their drug testing policies comply with state laws and that the policies are agreed to by any relevant labor unions.
Drug testing for NRC employees is regulated by the agency's fitness-for-duty (FFD) programs, which prohibit the use of any legal or illegal substance that may cause mental or physical impairment. FFD programs also require drug and alcohol testing.
Government Career Drug Testing for Civil Service Employees
In addition to federal laws, many state and local government agencies also have employee drug testing rules. This may apply to individuals working in road construction and maintenance, social services, school districts, and more.
Depending on the position, job candidates may be required to submit to government pre-employment drug screening. In addition, employees may be subject to periodic, random, and/or reasonable suspicion drug testing.
Limitations on Government Drug Testing
It's important to note that government agencies must still follow federal, state, and local laws regarding drug testing policies. For example, the fourth amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from conducting unreasonable searches. A drug test is considered a search, so unless an exception applies, blanket drug testing of all employees may not be considered reasonable.
However, employees may be drug tested based on individualized suspicion, meaning that there have been specific observations, such as slurred speech or possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia, which justify a drug test.
Safety-sensitive positions fall into the category of "special need" drug testing, which allows for random drug tests. Post-accident drug testing is also generally allowed for employees in safety-sensitive positions without the requirement for individualized suspicion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Involved in a Government Drug Test?
While each government agency can set its own drug testing policies, the majority of agencies drug test for what is known as the "SAMHSA five." This includes: opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana and phencyclidine (PCP).
Some agencies may also test for the presence of alcohol. For example, this is required for DOT TDPs. The federal drug-free workplace policy requires the use of urine samples for drug testing. However, some agencies also conduct saliva testing.