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What Is a 17-Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test?

What Is a 17-Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test?

A 17-panel hair follicle drug test screens for 17 classes of commonly misused substances, including both illicit drugs and prescription medications with a high potential for misuse. Compared to a standard 5- or 10-panel test, the 17-panel test provides a far more complete view of drug use history.

It is frequently used in legal proceedings, workplace compliance programs, child custody cases, and by individuals who want clear documentation of drug use or sobriety. Because hair testing is difficult to adulterate, it is one of the most trusted methods for accurate results.

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Why Choose a Hair Follicle Test?

The primary advantage of hair follicle testing is the longer detection window. A urine test typically detects substances for just a few days to a week, while a standard hair follicle test can show use over the past 90 days.

Every 0.5 inch of head hair represents roughly 30 days of history. A standard test requires at least 1.5 inches, equal to 90 days. Depending on hair length, AMH Nationwide also offers shorter 30-day or 60-day hair follicle tests, as well as extended options for 6-month, 9-month, or even 12-month lookback periods.

Other benefits include:

  • Tamper resistance – Hair samples are extremely difficult to adulterate.
  • Observed collection – In cases where urine adulteration is a concern, hair specimen testing provides a reliable alternative.
  • Flexible sample types – If head hair is not available, body hair (chest, leg, arm, facial) may be used.

 

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Why Choose a Hair Follicle Test?
How to get the best price possible for a 17 Panel Drug Test

How to get the best price possible for a 17 Panel Drug Test

Step One – Call, register, and pay as early as you can! We love saving you money when we can! If we have more time, we have more lab choices and can even go out-of-network (which may require mailing hair testing supplies), which could save you a little or even a lot!

Step Two – Be willing to drive a little further. We have five lab networks and locations all over the country.
Use our clinical locator.
Not every drug test we offer is available at every lab location. Increasing our search radius gives us more options to save you money.

Step Three – Call for a PROMO code. We usually have a few PROMO codes online, but if you haven’t seen one, call customer service and ask. We’re available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Central Time.

How the 17-Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test Works

Sample Collection

A trained collector cuts a small sample of hair (90–120 strands) from the crown of the head, close to the scalp. If head hair is not sufficient, body hair may be collected. The sample is sealed and documented for laboratory-based testing.

Laboratory Analysis

Initial screening uses advanced immunoassay technology (EIA or ELISA). Any non-negative results are confirmed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for accuracy.

Result Reporting

Results from this type of drug test typically take anywhere from 1 to 7 business days, with most results available in 3 to 5 days. All hair drug test results include a medical review to account for any legitimate prescriptions.

Confidentiality is maintained throughout the process, and results are delivered securely to the authorized party.

Who Uses 17-Panel Hair Drug Tests?

A 17-panel hair follicle drug test is trusted in many situations where there is a need to detect drugs over a longer period of time.

  • Employers – Often required in a pre-employment setting or as part of a workplace drug testing program to ensure safety and compliance with company policies.
  • Courts & Probation – Commonly ordered in child custody disputes, divorce proceedings, probation monitoring, and other legal cases where a reliable drug screen is needed.
  • Treatment Programs – Used in post-rehab monitoring to track progress and reduce the risk of drug abuse relapse.
  • Parents & Families – Provides confirmation of suspected drug use or reassurance about a loved one’s sobriety.
  • Individuals – Offers private testing for personal records or to demonstrate ongoing abstinence.

Because of its accuracy and extended detection window, the 17-panel drug test is chosen when a clear and comprehensive record of drug use history is required.

What Drugs Are Included in a
17-Panel Hair Follicle Test?

Here is a list of what drugs are in a 17-panel test:

Drug Class

Included Substances / Metabolites

Amphetamines

Amphetamine

Methamphetamines

Methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), MDA

Barbiturates

Phenobarbital, Secobarbital, Pentobarbital, Amobarbital, Butalbital

Benzodiazepines

Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Temazepam, Oxazepam, Nordiazepam, others

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine, Norbuprenorphine (Subutex, Suboxone)

Cocaine

Cocaine, Benzoylecgonine, Cocaethylene, Norcocaine, Hydroxy metabolites

Fentanyl

Fentanyl, Norfentanyl

Marijuana (THC)

THC, Carboxy-THC

Methadone

Methadone, EDDP

Opiates

Codeine, Morphine, Heroin metabolite (6-MAM)

Extended Opiates

Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Hydromorphone, Oxymorphone

Phencyclidine (PCP)

PCP

Tramadol

Tramadol

Ketamine

Ketamine, Norketamine

Meperidine

Meperidine (Demerol), Normeperidine

Propoxyphene

Propoxyphene

Zolpidem

Zolpidem (Ambien)

Methodology:

EIA (homogenous) or Elisa (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) (heterogeneous) screening technology, GCMS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) confirmation technology of non-negative presumptive positives
The 17 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test can detect more than 17 types of substances, because many of these substances are part of the same class. A notable example of this are codeine, morphine, and heroin all belonging to the basic opiates group.

Clinical applications:

90 day (3 month hair test) extended detection times when compared to drug testing by urine, blood, and oral swab, 30 day hair follicle drug test segment, 60 day hair follicle drug test, 6 month hair follicle drug test, 9 month 17 panel hair follicle drug test, 1 year (and longer) hair test, allows for observed hair collection when adulteration of urine sample is suspected, used to clarify confusing or conflicting pre-employment, pain management and probation urine drug test results, court ordered hair drug testing, hair drug testing for child custody and divorce, personal and private testing via laboratory collection or private at-home self-collection, testing for child or loved one, post rehab testing, difficult or impossible to adulterate. (*For child custody and child protective services scenarios consider 5 panel hair drug test environmental exposure, ChildGuard)

FAQ

What types of drugs are tested for on a 17 panel hair follicle drug test?

The 17 panel hair follicle test includes several schedule I, II, III, and IV level drugs. Although you may see slight variations between laboratories the 17 panel hair test commonly tests for 17 drug classifications and/or metabolites including amphetamines/methamphetamines (crystal meth or meth) MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine), MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) (ecstasy or molly); cocaine, benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene, norcocaine; marijuana, thc-cooh; phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust); opiates, morphine, codeine, heroin, 6—MAM (6-monoacetylmorphine); opiates expanded, hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid); oxycodone (Oxycontin and Percocet), oxymorphone; benzodiazepines (bennies), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), temazepam, bromazepam, clonazepam (Klonopin), oxazepam, nordiazepam, lorazepam (Ativan); barbiturates (barbs and barbies), amobarbital, butalbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital; methadone, eddp 2-ethylidene-1, 5-dimethyl-3, 3-diphenylpyrrolidine; propoxyphene, norpropoxyphene; meperidine, normeperidine; tramadol; fentanyl, norfentanyl; sufentanil, ketamine (special k) norketamine; buprenorphine; subutex (Suboxone) norbuprenorphine; and zolpidem (Ambien).

How far can the 17 panel hair drug test go back?

The standard hair follicle test has a detection time of about 3 months for the 17 panel hair follicle test (same as other panels). A lot of companies can only provide hair follicle drug testing with this standard detection time. Here at AMH for most drug classifications the only contingency on the detection time for our test is the length of the donor’s hair. Every ½ inch is representative of an estimated 30 days, which is why we need at least an inch and a ½ for 90 day testing. For example, if you would like to purchase a test with a detection time of 12 months we would need 6 inches of hair.

Can you set me up with a hair follicle test for drugs that tests for everything?

There is no drug test that tests for “everything”. However, our hair drug panels cover an expansive amount of drug classifications. The largest panel we have is the 19 panel hair follicle drug test. The 19 panel hair follicle test includes several schedule I, II, III, and IV level drugs as listed above.

What are some other names for the 17 panel hair follicle drug test?

17 panel hair test, 17 panel hair drug test, 17 panel hair follicle drug test, 17 panel hair test for drugs.

Is a lab order required for this drug test?

A lab order is required for testing.

Are there any limitations with the 17 panel hair test?

Hair follicle test panels typically take around 5 to 10 days for drug use to show in hair samples.

I am going through a messy divorce and worried my ex is back to her old ways. I would like to test back when things started getting bad about 12 months ago. I know she used opiates in the past but I am also wanting to check for Ambien. Can you help us?

Response: We do offer testing for the drugs you need that also offers a lookback of an estimated 12 months (1 year hair drug test). However, the hair sample must be collected on head hair and she would need the length of about 6 inches to capture your requested timeframe. Overall, you would likely want to include testing for the standard opiates as well as perhaps tramadol and fentanyl. If you want to include testing for Ambien for 1 year, then you will need a 12 Month Hair Drug Test that is a 17 panel.

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