The DOT testing taking place at HHS-certified laboratories is a 5-panel testing regimen that tests for 14 drugs. It is easy to be somewhat confused by this, so lets take a look at exactly what it means.

On January 1st, 2018, the DOT renamed ‘Opiates’ to ‘Opioids’, as now this includes semi-synthetic opioids. For the ‘Opioids’, the DOT will continue to expect the use of confirmatory testing when suitable for codeine, morphine, and 6-AM (heroin). Additional confirmatory testing has been added for semi-synthetic opioids Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, and Oxymorphone (brand names including OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®, Dilaudid®, and Exalgo®).

For “Amphetamines,” the DOT will include confirmatory testing when suitable for amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, MDA; as well initial testing has been added for MDA, whereas MDEA has been removed from this group.

The revised DOT drug testing categories are as follows:

• Marijuana (THC)
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines
  1. Amphetamine
  2. Methamphetamine
  3. MDMA
  4. MDA
• Opioids
  1. Codeine
  2. Morphine
  3. 6-AM (Heroin)
  4. Hydrocodone
  5. Hydromorphone
  6. Oxycodone
  7. Oxymorphone
• Phencyclidine (PCP)

The changes for collectors, laboratories, MROs, and employers after January 1st, 2018, are as follows:

• Collectors will continue to check the 5-panel box in Step 1 of the CCF (“THC, COC, PCP, OPI, AMP”).
• Laboratories will continue to report to MROs regarding positive drug test results, and will include confirmed positives for Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, and Oxymorphone as suitable. Additionally, in semi-annual reports to DOT and employers, laboratories will include confirmed positive totals for Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, and Oxymorphone under “Opioids” as suitable.
• MROs will continue to report to employers regarding verified positive drug results, and add verified positives for Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, and Oxymorphone as suitable.
• Employers will continue to report annually (MIS) on the number of verified positive drug test results in each testing category (Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opioids, and PCP).