National Drug Screening (NDS) is not a laboratory. NDS provides drug testing services utilizing SAMSHA Certified Labs. So what is a SAMSHA Certified Lab?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Within SAMHSA is the Division of Workplace Programs.
The Division of Workplace Programs has oversight responsibility of the SAMHSA or HHS-certified laboratories operating under the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs requirements. The HHS-certified laboratories conduct forensic drug testing for federal agencies, under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71, and specific federally-regulated industries. These laboratories have strict licensing and quality control requirements along with quarterly inspections. The rules and regulations for workplace drug testing at SAMHSA certified labs are very strict. Failure to follow these strict rules and regulations will cause a laboratory to have its certification suspended or revoked.
Can you provide certificates of SAMHSA certification? No, certificates do not verify current SAMHSA certification. A monthly list published in the Federal Register verifies current SAMHSA certification. To verify a laboratory has a current certification from SAMHSA, visit the Certified Lab List published on the SAMHSA web site at: http://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/resources/drug-testing/certified-lab-list
