{"id":20500,"date":"2020-06-27T21:27:26","date_gmt":"2020-06-27T21:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/page_id=20500"},"modified":"2023-07-23T23:01:00","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T04:01:00","slug":"drug-test-cut-off-levels","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/drug-test-cut-off-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Drug Test Cut Off Levels"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"20500\" class=\"elementor elementor-20500\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e137ef e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6e137ef\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc01ad0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bc01ad0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c354f8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2c354f8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a171be6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a171be6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.17.0 - 08-11-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Cut off levels are used to determine whether to immediately report out a negative drug test result after a screening test or to send the specimen on to further confirmation testing. A higher cut off level for the screening test may cast a wider net to find the drug class being testing. The confirmation test is then the definitive testing for a positive result. You will find the video to the right on Cut-off levels and Detection Times to be very helpful.<\/p>\n<p>Cut off levels may be different based on Department of Transportation (DOT) required testing and Non-DOT or non-regulated testing.\u00a0 The levels also are different depending on urine specimen drug testing, oral fluid drug testing and hair drug testing. <a href=\"\/blogs\/standard-drug-testing-cut-off-levels-from-our-samhsa-certified-labs\/\">Check out our\u00a0charts on most common drug testing Cut Off Levels\u00a0<\/a>in the drug testing industry.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25473d5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"25473d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b713706 dce_masking-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"b713706\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/l1fygR0eywc&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.17.0 - 08-11-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-video .elementor-widget-container{overflow:hidden;transform:translateZ(0)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{height:100%;width:100%;display:flex;border:none;background-color:#000}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1\/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% \/ var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-open-inline .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-size:cover;background-position:50%}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{cursor:pointer;text-align:center}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay:hover .elementor-custom-embed-play i{opacity:1}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{display:block;width:100%;aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio);-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;-o-object-position:center center;object-position:center center}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1\/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% \/ var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .e-hosted-video .elementor-video{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-video,.e-con>.elementor-widget-video{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04e0dd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"04e0dd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>In drug testing a cut off level is established to determine when a test will be positive for illegal drugs. The laboratory analysis measures the amount of the drug metabolite in the specimen at the time of testing. Using the established cut off level means that a small trace of the metabolite may be present in a specimen and the test result reported as negative. Every benefit of the doubt is given to the donor.<\/p>\n<p>Dealing with some common drug testing myths, we find that:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69c8ebb elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"69c8ebb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor\/assets\/css\/widget-icon-list.min.css\">\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 262.21 300\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#dcdcdc;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"74.43 111.58 74.43 205.78 156 252.87 237.58 205.78 237.58 111.58 156 64.48 74.43 111.58\"><\/polygon><g><path d=\"M134.2,16.45h0m-3.09,1.78L245.22,84.12V215.88L131.11,281.77,17,215.88V84.12L131.11,18.23m0-15.95a8.76,8.76,0,0,0-4.41,1.18L6.4,72.91A8.83,8.83,0,0,0,2,80.55v138.9a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41,7.64l120.3,69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,8.82,0l120.29-69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41-7.64V80.55a8.83,8.83,0,0,0-4.41-7.64L135.52,3.46a8.81,8.81,0,0,0-4.41-1.18Z\"><\/path><\/g><path d=\"M220.28,143.93,170.74,99.66a8.14,8.14,0,0,0-13.56,6.07v36.13H47.36a8.14,8.14,0,0,0,0,16.28H157.18v36.13A8.14,8.14,0,0,0,162,201.7a8,8,0,0,0,3.32.71,8.13,8.13,0,0,0,5.42-2.07l49.54-44.27a8.13,8.13,0,0,0,0-12.14Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">For marijuana testing the cut off levels prevent false positives based on second hand smoke.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 262.21 300\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#dcdcdc;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"74.43 111.58 74.43 205.78 156 252.87 237.58 205.78 237.58 111.58 156 64.48 74.43 111.58\"><\/polygon><g><path d=\"M134.2,16.45h0m-3.09,1.78L245.22,84.12V215.88L131.11,281.77,17,215.88V84.12L131.11,18.23m0-15.95a8.76,8.76,0,0,0-4.41,1.18L6.4,72.91A8.83,8.83,0,0,0,2,80.55v138.9a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41,7.64l120.3,69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,8.82,0l120.29-69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41-7.64V80.55a8.83,8.83,0,0,0-4.41-7.64L135.52,3.46a8.81,8.81,0,0,0-4.41-1.18Z\"><\/path><\/g><path d=\"M220.28,143.93,170.74,99.66a8.14,8.14,0,0,0-13.56,6.07v36.13H47.36a8.14,8.14,0,0,0,0,16.28H157.18v36.13A8.14,8.14,0,0,0,162,201.7a8,8,0,0,0,3.32.71,8.13,8.13,0,0,0,5.42-2.07l49.54-44.27a8.13,8.13,0,0,0,0-12.14Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">For opiate testing the cut off levels prevent false positives based on consumption of poppy seeds.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dd4dea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3dd4dea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>A screening result commonly indicates that a class of drugs is positive, not necessarily which specific drug triggered the positive. Confirmation testing is necessary because a false positive can occur when the screen is positive but the drug is\u00a0not\u00a0actually present, and a false negative can occur when the drug\u00a0is\u00a0actually present but the screen is negative.<\/p>\n<p>In order to determine if a urine specimen is negative or positive for drugs of abuse, all specimens go through a screening procedure and if tested above the screening cut off levels then confirmation testing is needed. The second round of testing for confirmation is gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry\/mass spectrometry (LC-MS\/MS). The subsequent confirmatory procedures are performed on a second independent portion of the original urine specimen. Specimens testing above the confirmation test cut off levels are reported by the laboratory as positive.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The cut off levels or Federal Workplace testing and Department of Transportation (DOT) testing are established by:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-725f804 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"725f804\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 262.21 300\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#dcdcdc;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"74.43 111.58 74.43 205.78 156 252.87 237.58 205.78 237.58 111.58 156 64.48 74.43 111.58\"><\/polygon><g><path d=\"M134.2,16.45h0m-3.09,1.78L245.22,84.12V215.88L131.11,281.77,17,215.88V84.12L131.11,18.23m0-15.95a8.76,8.76,0,0,0-4.41,1.18L6.4,72.91A8.83,8.83,0,0,0,2,80.55v138.9a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41,7.64l120.3,69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,8.82,0l120.29-69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41-7.64V80.55a8.83,8.83,0,0,0-4.41-7.64L135.52,3.46a8.81,8.81,0,0,0-4.41-1.18Z\"><\/path><\/g><path d=\"M220.28,143.93,170.74,99.66a8.14,8.14,0,0,0-13.56,6.07v36.13H47.36a8.14,8.14,0,0,0,0,16.28H157.18v36.13A8.14,8.14,0,0,0,162,201.7a8,8,0,0,0,3.32.71,8.13,8.13,0,0,0,5.42-2.07l49.54-44.27a8.13,8.13,0,0,0,0-12.14Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The United States Department of Health And Human Services (HHS) - Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 262.21 300\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#dcdcdc;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"74.43 111.58 74.43 205.78 156 252.87 237.58 205.78 237.58 111.58 156 64.48 74.43 111.58\"><\/polygon><g><path d=\"M134.2,16.45h0m-3.09,1.78L245.22,84.12V215.88L131.11,281.77,17,215.88V84.12L131.11,18.23m0-15.95a8.76,8.76,0,0,0-4.41,1.18L6.4,72.91A8.83,8.83,0,0,0,2,80.55v138.9a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41,7.64l120.3,69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,8.82,0l120.29-69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41-7.64V80.55a8.83,8.83,0,0,0-4.41-7.64L135.52,3.46a8.81,8.81,0,0,0-4.41-1.18Z\"><\/path><\/g><path d=\"M220.28,143.93,170.74,99.66a8.14,8.14,0,0,0-13.56,6.07v36.13H47.36a8.14,8.14,0,0,0,0,16.28H157.18v36.13A8.14,8.14,0,0,0,162,201.7a8,8,0,0,0,3.32.71,8.13,8.13,0,0,0,5.42-2.07l49.54-44.27a8.13,8.13,0,0,0,0-12.14Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">These guidelines are published by the HHS agency the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 262.21 300\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#dcdcdc;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"74.43 111.58 74.43 205.78 156 252.87 237.58 205.78 237.58 111.58 156 64.48 74.43 111.58\"><\/polygon><g><path d=\"M134.2,16.45h0m-3.09,1.78L245.22,84.12V215.88L131.11,281.77,17,215.88V84.12L131.11,18.23m0-15.95a8.76,8.76,0,0,0-4.41,1.18L6.4,72.91A8.83,8.83,0,0,0,2,80.55v138.9a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41,7.64l120.3,69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,8.82,0l120.29-69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41-7.64V80.55a8.83,8.83,0,0,0-4.41-7.64L135.52,3.46a8.81,8.81,0,0,0-4.41-1.18Z\"><\/path><\/g><path d=\"M220.28,143.93,170.74,99.66a8.14,8.14,0,0,0-13.56,6.07v36.13H47.36a8.14,8.14,0,0,0,0,16.28H157.18v36.13A8.14,8.14,0,0,0,162,201.7a8,8,0,0,0,3.32.71,8.13,8.13,0,0,0,5.42-2.07l49.54-44.27a8.13,8.13,0,0,0,0-12.14Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">SAMHSA also provides recommended cut off levels for Non DOT testing<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aca5c5c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aca5c5c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a51a86f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a51a86f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06c4761 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"06c4761\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Drug Testing Cut Off levels for the standard 5 panel drug urine test, DOT drug test and other drug test panel configurations can be found at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/blogs\/standard-drug-testing-cut-off-levels-from-our-samhsa-certified-labs\/\">Charts &#8211; Cutoff Levels<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Many non-regulated employers mirror the cutoff levels established by the government while others customize their drug testing panels to be more sensitive to certain drugs based upon their program needs and unique workforce.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Drug testing\u00a0has two\u00a0cutoff levels\u00a0for positive detection \u2013 screening and confirmation. Labs that follow the guidelines will consider\u00a0drug testing\u00a0to be negative if detection is below either\u00a0cutoff level. In the case of\u00a0urine\u00a0analysis,\u00a0drug testing cutoff levels are\u00a0measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng\/ml). Screening and confirmation testing are performed using different testing methodologies that have different specificity and sensitivity.\u00a0The screening and confirmation testing may have different cut off levels. When the lab performs the screening testing, if the specimen tests below the cut off level for screening, the lab reports the test result as negative.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-425a33c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"425a33c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c6ae27 dce_masking-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7c6ae27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.17.0 - 08-11-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"531\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-cut-off-levels.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-20502\" alt=\"A pile of poppy seed bagels\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-cut-off-levels.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-cut-off-levels-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-cut-off-levels-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-cut-off-levels-600x398.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bef68a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6bef68a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Confirmation testing or \u201cgas chromatography-mass spectrometry\u201d (GC\/MS) identifies the exact drug metabolite at a specific quantitative level. Confirmation testing can also be performed with \u201cliquid chromatography\u2013mass spectrometry\u201d (LC\/MS). These confirmation techniques eliminate false positives or false negatives. A medical review officer (MRO) is used for further quality control and to rule out positives based on legitimately prescribed drugs.<\/p>\n<p>For non-regulated testing, cut off levels may differ among difference drug testing laboratories. For DOT testing, the levels will be the same among SAMHSA certified laboratories.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7638f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a7638f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.17.0 - 08-11-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Some frequently asked questions about drug testing cut off levels:<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bc8314 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6bc8314\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a76778d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a76778d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77e8297 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"77e8297\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What about over-the-counter medications?<\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c761642 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c761642\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>These are ruled out in the confirmation testing process if they show up at all<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46c569e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"46c569e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What if the donor is abusing their prescription?<\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f6dc11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0f6dc11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Unfortunately, the cut off levels do not tell us:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7068d7 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"f7068d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">1. When the drug was used<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">2. How much drug was used<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">3. How strong the drug is<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa6136a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aa6136a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fd3e40 dce_masking-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5fd3e40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"537\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-false-positive.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-20503\" alt=\"Cough medicine in a metal spoon\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-false-positive.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-false-positive-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-false-positive-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/drug-test-false-positive-600x403.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd76789 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bd76789\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>The levels do not tell us if the person took one hit of a joint or one pill. However, it is likely that the detection window of 1 hit or 1 pill would be very short.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bceb91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6bceb91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Are Quant Levels Provided on Positive Tests?<\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98b5089 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"98b5089\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 262.21 300\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#dcdcdc;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"74.43 111.58 74.43 205.78 156 252.87 237.58 205.78 237.58 111.58 156 64.48 74.43 111.58\"><\/polygon><g><path d=\"M134.2,16.45h0m-3.09,1.78L245.22,84.12V215.88L131.11,281.77,17,215.88V84.12L131.11,18.23m0-15.95a8.76,8.76,0,0,0-4.41,1.18L6.4,72.91A8.83,8.83,0,0,0,2,80.55v138.9a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41,7.64l120.3,69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,8.82,0l120.29-69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41-7.64V80.55a8.83,8.83,0,0,0-4.41-7.64L135.52,3.46a8.81,8.81,0,0,0-4.41-1.18Z\"><\/path><\/g><path d=\"M220.28,143.93,170.74,99.66a8.14,8.14,0,0,0-13.56,6.07v36.13H47.36a8.14,8.14,0,0,0,0,16.28H157.18v36.13A8.14,8.14,0,0,0,162,201.7a8,8,0,0,0,3.32.71,8.13,8.13,0,0,0,5.42-2.07l49.54-44.27a8.13,8.13,0,0,0,0-12.14Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Typically No<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 262.21 300\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#dcdcdc;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"74.43 111.58 74.43 205.78 156 252.87 237.58 205.78 237.58 111.58 156 64.48 74.43 111.58\"><\/polygon><g><path d=\"M134.2,16.45h0m-3.09,1.78L245.22,84.12V215.88L131.11,281.77,17,215.88V84.12L131.11,18.23m0-15.95a8.76,8.76,0,0,0-4.41,1.18L6.4,72.91A8.83,8.83,0,0,0,2,80.55v138.9a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41,7.64l120.3,69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,8.82,0l120.29-69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41-7.64V80.55a8.83,8.83,0,0,0-4.41-7.64L135.52,3.46a8.81,8.81,0,0,0-4.41-1.18Z\"><\/path><\/g><path d=\"M220.28,143.93,170.74,99.66a8.14,8.14,0,0,0-13.56,6.07v36.13H47.36a8.14,8.14,0,0,0,0,16.28H157.18v36.13A8.14,8.14,0,0,0,162,201.7a8,8,0,0,0,3.32.71,8.13,8.13,0,0,0,5.42-2.07l49.54-44.27a8.13,8.13,0,0,0,0-12.14Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">DOT prohibits providing Quant levels on DOT required tests<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 262.21 300\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#dcdcdc;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"74.43 111.58 74.43 205.78 156 252.87 237.58 205.78 237.58 111.58 156 64.48 74.43 111.58\"><\/polygon><g><path d=\"M134.2,16.45h0m-3.09,1.78L245.22,84.12V215.88L131.11,281.77,17,215.88V84.12L131.11,18.23m0-15.95a8.76,8.76,0,0,0-4.41,1.18L6.4,72.91A8.83,8.83,0,0,0,2,80.55v138.9a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41,7.64l120.3,69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,8.82,0l120.29-69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41-7.64V80.55a8.83,8.83,0,0,0-4.41-7.64L135.52,3.46a8.81,8.81,0,0,0-4.41-1.18Z\"><\/path><\/g><path d=\"M220.28,143.93,170.74,99.66a8.14,8.14,0,0,0-13.56,6.07v36.13H47.36a8.14,8.14,0,0,0,0,16.28H157.18v36.13A8.14,8.14,0,0,0,162,201.7a8,8,0,0,0,3.32.71,8.13,8.13,0,0,0,5.42-2.07l49.54-44.27a8.13,8.13,0,0,0,0-12.14Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">A reported positive drug test is positive regardless of the levels it tested at<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 262.21 300\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#dcdcdc;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"74.43 111.58 74.43 205.78 156 252.87 237.58 205.78 237.58 111.58 156 64.48 74.43 111.58\"><\/polygon><g><path d=\"M134.2,16.45h0m-3.09,1.78L245.22,84.12V215.88L131.11,281.77,17,215.88V84.12L131.11,18.23m0-15.95a8.76,8.76,0,0,0-4.41,1.18L6.4,72.91A8.83,8.83,0,0,0,2,80.55v138.9a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41,7.64l120.3,69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,8.82,0l120.29-69.45a8.83,8.83,0,0,0,4.41-7.64V80.55a8.83,8.83,0,0,0-4.41-7.64L135.52,3.46a8.81,8.81,0,0,0-4.41-1.18Z\"><\/path><\/g><path d=\"M220.28,143.93,170.74,99.66a8.14,8.14,0,0,0-13.56,6.07v36.13H47.36a8.14,8.14,0,0,0,0,16.28H157.18v36.13A8.14,8.14,0,0,0,162,201.7a8,8,0,0,0,3.32.71,8.13,8.13,0,0,0,5.42-2.07l49.54-44.27a8.13,8.13,0,0,0,0-12.14Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">For Non DOT testing there may be exceptions<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81939ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"81939ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can different foods\/products trigger a positive result?<\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da9caf8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"da9caf8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Yes potentially in screening but these are ruled out in the confirmation testing process<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65ef1a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"65ef1a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why is confirmation testing important?<\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5bb1ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e5bb1ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Confirmation testing provides for a legally defensible drug test result. One or more specific metabolites can be identified, quantified and reported using the applicable confirmation cutoff for a positive test result. No false positives.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cut off levels are used to determine whether to immediately report out a negative drug test result after a screening test or to send the specimen on to further confirmation testing. A higher cut off level for the screening test may cast a wider net to find the drug class being testing. The confirmation test [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"50935,50862,50870,51391,51390,51229","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20500"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20500"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20500\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}