Dot vs Non-Dot

Overview

D.O.T exams are physical exams or drug screenings that are mandated by the Department of Transportation for safety sensitive employees and is regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services. The six DOT agencies that follow the 49 CFR Part 40 are:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

United States Coast Guard (USCG)

Now with the Department of Homeland Security.

Any agency outside of the aforementioned entities are going to be non-DOT and regulated by the state or a private entity/company policy driven.

DOT and Non-DOT exams also test for different types of drugs and are completed on different CCFs (Control Custody Forms).

  Urine Drug Test

Common Drug Panels

5 Panel Drug Test is the most common. However, there are drug test that screen for more than just the 5 common drug types.

5 Panel Drug Test
These test are performed by collecting Urine, Hair and Oral Fluid Specimens and should also include validity testing. Validity testing ensures the specimen has not been adulterated and is exactly what the specimen is labeled to be (hair or urine).

The 5 panel drug test screens (with expanded opiates) for the following:

• Marijuana (Other names for Marijuana- Cannabis, Weed, Pot, Za Za, Hash, Trees, Gas, Dank, Bud, Hydro, Chronic, Kush, Reefer, Pocket Rocket, Tommy Chong or Jay)
• PCP
• Amphetamines
• Methamphetamines, MDMA/ Ecstasy
• Opioids
• 6 Acetylmorphine (6AM) a metabolite of Heroin. Expanded Opiates that are screened for Include Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone and Oxymorphone.
• Cocaine

Non-DOT Regulated Testing will require a 5 or 10 Panel Drug Test. (Ask for expanded testing)

This test includes the 5 Panel drug test and 5 additional drugs are added to make 10 Panel drug test. The five additional drugs are:

Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Methaqualone, Methadone, Propoxyphene is the standard 10 panel test.

There are no standard drug test beyond the 10 Panel drug screens. If there is a request test beyond a 10 panel drug screening. Please list the names of the specific drugs you would like screening for. For example, if screening is needed for Ketamine, Meperidine, Fentanyl, Tramadol, Buprenorphine (Suboxone), these drugs will have to be listed for substances in which one is looking for. With urine drug screens, you can request up to a 24-panel drug screen, but requested drugs for screening must be listed.

Rocket Labs & Testing drug screening services eliminates drug use in the workplace. The goal of drug testing is to target and hire the best qualified individual for the position. This reduces absenteeism and increases productivity and a safe working environment. Our services can be used for pre-employment, random drug testing, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and Department of Transportation requirements. Both lab based and instant testing are also available.
In addition to walk-in and scheduled appointments, we offer MOBILE LAB services. With our mobile lab services, we come to you. Employees do not have to travel which decreases productivity loss. At your location we will still provide the same quality test that are used for federal agencies, drug courts, business and child protection agencies. The collection is completed in a prompt and professional manner. Your privacy and dignity will remain at the forefront of the collection process. If you need us onsite, at your location or ours, Rocket Labs & Testing makes the drug testing process a simple one. Schedule your appointment today or call us for an on-site request.

Rocket Labs & Testing offers Testing for:

• DOT Drug Testing
• Non-DOT Drug Testing
• Probation/Court Drug Testing
• Family Court Ordered Drug Testing
• Child Protection Drug Testing
• Athletic Drug Testing
• School Drug Testing

  Hair Follicle Drug Test

Hair follicle test can accommodate at least 17 panels. It is a popular method of drug testing and the detection period is longer than a urine drug test. It can test as far back as 90 days (regular long-term use). However, it cannot detect recent use. Only the hair is tested; not the hair follicle itself, as the name of the test suggest. The hair follicle stays in place. 0.5 to 1.5 inches of hair must be collected for sampling.

During a hair follicle test, it involves removing a small hair sample from the crown of the tested individual’s head. If the individual does not have any hair on their head, hair samples can be sampled from other places on the tested individual’s body.

A hair sample can detect cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates and PCP. Prescription medications and certain foods, such as poppy seeds, have compounds that might lead to a false positive test result. Secondary to this, hair samples undergo a two-step process to ensure accurate results, using ELISA and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry) to assist in ruling out false positive results.

Schedule your appointment today or call us for an on-site request.

  Oral Swab Drug Test

A mouth swab is a reliable to way to test for drugs. It has been popular in the private sector and now it is being incorporated as a standard of testing in the DOT sector. Mouth swab tests is an alternate method to the urine drug test. They are easier to perform and more difficult to cheat because the collection is a supervised collection. As the transgender community grows, swab test will be the method of choice if the transgender person is required to have a supervised or direct observation collection.

The mouth swab test is non-invasive. The test does not require a lot of preparation other than refraining from eating or drinking 10 to 20 minutes prior to the exam.

The exam involves the use of a sponge or absorbent pad on the end of a stick to swab the inside of the cheek of the tested individual. The sample is ran for analysis and will detect traces of illegal substances.

The sample collection time is quick. It takes about 1 to 4 minutes. If the analysis is conducted on site, the results are ready within minutes. If the sample goes out to a lab for analysis, it can take 24 to 72 hours for results.

Oral swabs are more than 97% accurate when performed correctly. However, drugs do not stay in oral fluids as long as it does in urine. Which means this method of testing is best for recent use of illegal drugs within a 5 to 48 hour time frame compared a urine test can determine use of illegal drugs within

Schedule your appointment today or call us for an on-site request.