Usually 24 hours, but not always. Drug testing plays a vital role when making your hiring decision. It is also key for strong workplace safety and regulatory compliance, especially for employers operating in safety-sensitive environments. Whether you’re an employer awaiting a candidate’s results or an employee completing a pre-employment test, turnaround time is always important.
Most negative drug test results – and remember, negative is good and positive, not so much – are available within 24-48 hours of the specimen’s arrival at the lab, while positive results can take 3–6 business days due to additional confirmation steps.
We are regularly asked about our drug testing turnaround times at GroupOne Background Screening. So, let’s break it down.
We love fast turnarounds and they matter as the test results can impact employer operations, from onboarding to workplace compliance and risk management.
The advantages:
- Reduced hiring delays: Faster turnaround supports efficient onboarding and keeps business operations moving.
- Improved candidate experience: Candidates are more comfortable and confident when timelines are predictable.
- Support for compliance: Organizations in regulated industries (including DOT) must meet strict testing and reporting deadlines.
- Safer workplaces: Rapid, accurate results help employers respond quickly to risks or policy violations.
Delayed results can slow staffing and cause confusion for both employers and job applicants. Understanding the drug test timeline helps maintain transparent communication throughout the hiring process.
Here’s the most common tests and timelines:
- Urine Tests: Urine tests are the most common for pre-employment and routine workplace testing. Negative results will take 1–2 business days from arrival at the lab. Positive results take 4–6 business days due to confirmation testing and MRO review process.
- Saliva (Oral Fluid) Tests: Oral fluid testing offers a faster collection process and is often used for recent detection. Negative results can take 24–36 hours. Positive results are sent to a lab for a confirmation test and a Medical Review Officer (MRO) review, which typically extends the process to 4–6 business days.
- Hair Tests: Hair testing can detect long-term drug use patterns of up to 90 days. Negative results take 2–3 business days while positive results around 4–7 business days due to confirmation testing and MRO processes. It should be noted that hair tests require more processing and lab preparation, with turnaround times typically longer than urine or oral fluid tests. You should also be aware that hair testing is not approved for DOT-regulated testing.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests are less common and are typically used to determine recent drug use or impairment, and they are considered the most invasive form of drug testing. Turnaround time is 1–5 business days and can be longer if the test is positive.
Other Factors
Any positive result requires confirmation testing, which adds several days. This is the most common cause of extended timelines. But it must be done as it ensures scientific accuracy, prevents false positives and complies with industry and federal testing regulations.
When a drug test is positive, this will always involve the Medical Review Officer (MRO). Their steps usually include contacting the donor, a review of their prescriptions and an evaluation of the documentation before finalizing the report.
And finally, a donor can also delay the turnaround times if they miss their scheduled testing time or they do not respond promptly to outreach from the MRO.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at GroupOne should you have questions about our drug testing programs.