‍For many companies across the country, drug screenings are a common practice as a condition of employment or other related circumstances. When properly implemented, workplace drug testing protocols can help decrease employee absences, improve productivity and performance, reduce healthcare costs, and create a drug-free workplace for the safety of your employees, customers, and business.

There are different types of screenings depending on your specific role and industry. Two such screenings are the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) drug screening and non-DOT drug testing.

What is a Non-DOT Drug Screen?

Non-DOT drug tests are a type of drug screen reserved for job roles outside of federal jurisdiction. In other words, the position and workplace are not regulated by the federal government.

While a non-DOT drug screening must still adhere to state and local laws regarding employee drug screening, such as workers’ comp and unemployment laws, there is a lot more flexibility involved in the process. For example, an employer can decide how many drugs to test for, what type of test to perform, and when the testing should take place.

What Are the Differences Between a DOT Drug Test and a Non-DOT Drug Test?

DOT drug testing is regulated by the federal government and is for “safety-sensitive” employees who hold jobs that can impact their own safety as well as the public’s – there are some additional features that make non-DOT testing stand out from DOT drug screens.

DOT Testing

The federal government requires anyone who is considered a safety-sensitive employee, whether they hold a federal job or not. DOT screenings are a simple five-panel urine drug test that identifies marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine.

Non-DOT Drug Test

It’s important to note that, unlike companies that have DOT drug test positions, companies with roles that don’t fall under this federal jurisdiction are not required to implement any type of drug or alcohol testing. If you decide to perform a non-DOT drug test, your business has more control over the type of test and the screening options than a DOT drug test.

What Does a Non-DOT Drug Screen Test For?

Non-DOT companies are not required to perform the basic five-panel screening specific to DOT tests. You could opt for that version, or choose a more comprehensive test like a 10-panel urinalysis.

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Contact Safe @ Work today to schedule Non-DOT testing for your company.