5 panel hair follicle drug test
5 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test for Reliable Long-Term Drug Detection
The 5 panel hair follicle drug test detects five common drug classes through hair analysis, offering a detection window of up to 90 days. This test is used by employers, courts, and individuals needing accurate long-term drug screening. AMH Nationwide routes collections through five national labs and reviews results with certified Medical Review Officers. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule a test.
What is a 5 panel hair follicle drug test?
A 5 panel hair follicle drug test is a laboratory analysis that detects five specific drug classes using a small hair sample. This method provides a long detection window, typically up to 90 days, by analyzing drug metabolites deposited in hair follicles.
The five panels commonly tested include: amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana (THC), opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). Hair testing is often preferred for its extended detection period compared to urine or saliva tests.
AMH Nationwide directs test requesters to collection sites affiliated with five major lab networks: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox. Each non-negative result undergoes review by a certified Medical Review Officer as standard procedure.
How does the 5 panel hair drug test work?
The 5 panel hair drug test works by collecting a small sample of hair, usually from the scalp. The lab analyzes the hair shaft for drug metabolites that accumulate as hair grows, reflecting drug use over previous weeks to months.
Hair grows approximately half an inch per month, so a 1.5 inch hair sample typically covers about 90 days of drug use history. The lab uses specialized immunoassay screening followed by confirmatory testing with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
This testing method detects drug use rather than recent exposure and is less susceptible to adulteration or dilution than urine testing.
Who orders a hair 5 drug panel test and why?
Employers use the 5 panel hair follicle drug test for pre-employment screening, random testing, or post-incident investigations, especially when a longer detection window is required. Courts and probation agencies may order hair testing to monitor compliance.
Individuals may also request this test for personal knowledge or legal reasons. Because hair testing detects drug use over months rather than days, it is preferred when confirming long-term abstinence or patterns of use.
DOT-regulated safety-sensitive positions do not accept hair tests; they require federally certified urine tests under 49 CFR Part 40. Hair tests are suitable for non-DOT roles.
What drugs are detected by the hair 5 drug panel and what is the detection window?
The 5 panel hair drug test detects amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana (THC), opiates (including heroin and morphine), and PCP. Each drug class is identified by metabolites incorporated into the hair shaft.
The detection window for this test extends up to 90 days from sample collection. Hair grows slowly, so recent drug use within the past week may not be detected, but use within the last three months typically is.
This extended window makes hair testing valuable for detecting chronic or repeated drug use rather than one-time or very recent use.
| Drug Class | Detection Window |
|---|---|
| Amphetamines | Up to 90 days |
| Cocaine | Up to 90 days |
| Marijuana (THC) | Up to 90 days |
| Opiates | Up to 90 days |
| Phencyclidine (PCP) | Up to 90 days |
Schedule Your 5 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test
To arrange a 5 panel hair follicle drug test through AMH Nationwide, call (877) 731-6362. Our team will direct you to a nearby collection site affiliated with one of five national labs.
What is the hair collection process for the 5 panel hair follicle drug test?
A trained collector cuts a small sample of hair from the crown or side of the head, close to the scalp. The sample is usually about 1.5 inches long and sufficient to conduct the 5 panel hair drug analysis.
If scalp hair is unavailable, body hair may be used, but this can affect the detection window and accuracy. The hair sample is then sealed and sent to one of the five national lab networks for analysis.
AMH Nationwide coordinates the lab order and collection site scheduling but does not offer online ordering. To arrange testing, call (877) 731-6362.
How reliable is the 5 panel hair follicle drug test and can it be affected by passive exposure?
The 5 panel hair follicle drug test is highly reliable when conducted by accredited labs using validated methods. The use of confirmatory GC-MS or LC-MS/MS testing reduces false positives.
All non-negative results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer to ensure accuracy and interpret any medical explanations.
Passive exposure to drugs, such as secondhand smoke, is unlikely to cause a positive hair test because the test detects metabolites incorporated into hair internally rather than external contamination.
Hair treatments like dyeing or bleaching may reduce drug concentration but do not guarantee test evasion.
Common Questions
Results typically take 3 to 5 business days after the lab receives the hair sample. Timing can vary depending on the lab network and confirmatory testing requirements.
Hair testing is best at detecting repeated or chronic drug use within the past 90 days. One-time drug use may be detected if sufficient metabolites are incorporated into the hair.
No, DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing requires urine tests under federally certified protocols. Hair testing is used for non-DOT employment or other purposes.
Hair color and type can influence drug metabolite incorporation but accredited labs adjust for these factors to maintain accuracy.
A certified Medical Review Officer reviews positive results and may contact you to verify legitimate medical explanations before final reporting.
Hair treatments may reduce the amount of detectable drug metabolites but do not guarantee a negative result. Labs consider hair condition during analysis.
Ready to get started?
AMH Nationwide provides the lab order and arranges collection nationwide. Every non-negative result reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362 or contact us.