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To combat the opioid epidemic, the Department of Transportation implemented new drug testing regulations that necessitated the addition of a 14 Panel screen.

About the Regulations

In October 2017 President Trump declared there is an opioid crisis in America. He said opioid abuse is now a "national public health emergency under federal law" and urged all executive agencies to help.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has since created new drug testing regulations. Secretary Elaine Chao said: "The ability to test for a broader range of opioids will advance transportation safety significantly and provide another deterrence to opioid abuse, which will better protect the public and ultimately save lives."

The new regulations involve adding tests for four semi-synthetic opioids. They include:

• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Oxymorphone
• Oxycodone

DOT regulations also added methylenedioxyamphetamine as an initial test analyte and removed methylenedioxyethylamphetamine as a confirmatory test analyte.

See all the regulations here.

Get DOT Compliant Drug Testing

To help our customers comply with the new DOT regulations, we collaborated with our partner Quest Diagnostics to develop a 14 Panel drug screen. It includes all the tests that are currently part of the 10 Panel screen and the four opioids that were added by the DOT.

If you are currently setup to request drug screenings, then you can include a 5, 10 or 14 Panel drug screen when you order a report. The 14 Panel drug test can be ordered as a standalone product or added to any preset or custom background check package.

If you are not setup to run drug screenings, the process is easy. Login to your Backgrounds Online account and visit https://clients.backgroundsonline.com/drugscreen.aspx. You'll get the application form you need to register with our partner Quest. Once you submit the application it typically takes up to three business days to complete the approval process.

Learn what is included in a 5, 10 or 14 panel drug screen.

Industries That Require Drug Testing

According to a 2012 document issued by the DOT, the following industries are subject to drug and alcohol testing.

Aviation. This includes flight crews, attendants, air traffic controllers and other employees that work at aviation facilities.

Commercial Motor Carriers. This includes Commercial Driver's License holders who operate vehicles that weight at least 26,001 pounds or carry more than 16 passengers (including the driver).

Maritime Employees. This includes all crew members who work on a commercial vessel.

Pipeline Workers. This includes individuals who have positions such as operations, maintenance and emergency response.

Railroad Employees. This includes Hours of Service Act personnel, signal service workers and train dispatchers.

Transit Workers. This includes vehicle operators, controllers, mechanics and armed security.

Workers in other industries may also be asked to submit to drug screenings. Learn more about DOT regulations at https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40.

Safety Sensitive Employees

Individuals who are in positions that are considered safety-sensitive (such as those listed above) may be screened for a variety of situations. They include:

• Pre-employment
• Reasonable Suspicion/Cause
• Random
• Return-to-Duty
• Follow-up
• Post-Accident

Have Questions About Drug Screening?

If you would like more information about 14 panel drug screening, please contact our team. We are available Monday – Friday from 5am to 5pm PT to assist you.