--- title: "7-Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test: How It Works | AMH Nationwide" description: "Learn how a 7-panel hair follicle drug test works with detailed sample collection and lab analysis. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule your test today." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-27" tags: ["7-panel hair follicle drug test how it works"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/7-panel-hair-follicle-drug-test-how-it-works/" last_updated: "2026-08-27" --- # 7-Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test: How It Works | AMH Nationwide **By AMH Nationwide** | August 27, 2026 Learn how a 7-panel hair follicle drug test works with detailed sample collection and lab analysis. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule your test today. --- A 7-panel hair follicle drug test how it works involves collecting a small hair sample, which is then analyzed by national labs for drug metabolites. The process includes an initial screening, confirmation testing, and a certified Medical Review Officer review for accuracy. Call (877) 731-6362 to arrange your collection. COLLECTION ## How is the hair sample collected for a 7-panel hair follicle drug test? The hair sample collection is a straightforward process in a controlled setting. A trained collector cuts approximately 1.5 inches of hair close to the scalp, typically from the crown or back of the head. The amount collected is about 100-120 strands, enough for testing the [detection window](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-detection-window/) of up to 90 days. If head hair is unavailable, body hair may be collected, but this can affect the detection window. The collector ensures the sample is properly sealed and labeled before sending it to one of the five national lab networks: [Quest Diagnostics](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/), [LabCorp](https://www.labcorp.com/), Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox. Sample length: 1.5 inches from scalp Amount: 100-120 strands Preferred site: crown or back of head Alternative: body hair if head hair unavailable Proper sealing and labeling by collector There is no online ordering for this test; the requester is provided a lab order and directed to a collection site. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule your collection appointment. LAB ANALYSIS ## What happens during lab analysis of a 7-panel hair follicle drug test? Once received, the hair sample undergoes a two-step analysis process. First, an initial immunoassay screening tests for drug metabolites in the hair. This screening is sensitive but not definitive, so any presumptive positive results proceed to confirmation testing. Confirmation testing uses gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for precise identification of specific drugs and metabolites. This step ensures accuracy and eliminates false positives. Step 1: Immunoassay screening for metabolites Step 2: GC-MS or LC-MS/MS confirmation testing Testing performed by nationally certified labs The labs involved in this testing are Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox, ensuring comprehensive and standardized analysis across the network. DRUGS TESTED ## Which drugs are included in the 7-panel hair follicle drug test? The 7-panel hair follicle drug test screens for seven common drug classes. The exact panel includes: Amphetamines (including methamphetamine) Cocaine and metabolites Marijuana (THC metabolites) Opiates (codeine, morphine, heroin) Phencyclidine (PCP) Benzodiazepines Barbiturates These drugs are detected by identifying their metabolites embedded in the hair shaft, reflecting drug use over the past 90 days. DETECTION WINDOW ## What detection window does a 7-panel hair follicle drug test cover? A 7-panel hair follicle drug test typically detects drug use within the previous 90 days. Hair grows approximately 0.5 inches per month, so the standard 1.5-inch sample represents about three months of history. This long detection window is an advantage over [urine](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/) or saliva tests, which detect more recent use. However, hair testing cannot detect drug use in the past 7 days because it takes time for metabolites to appear in the hair shaft after ingestion. Standard sample: 1.5 inches of hair Detection window: up to 90 days No detection of use within past 7 days This makes the 7-panel hair follicle drug test suitable for monitoring long-term drug use patterns. ## Schedule Your 7-Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test Today Contact AMH Nationwide to obtain your lab order and locate a collection site. Call (877) 731-6362 to start the process. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) MRO REVIEW ## How does the Medical Review Officer (MRO) review process work? After lab testing, every non-negative result is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO). The MRO examines the lab reports and may contact the individual to verify or explain prescriptions, medical conditions, or other legitimate reasons for the presence of drug metabolites. This review ensures the accuracy and fairness of test results before final reporting. The MRO’s role is critical to maintain the integrity of the testing process and to prevent false positives from being reported. Certified MRO reviews all non-negative results Verification of prescription or medical explanations Ensures accuracy and fairness of results Only after MRO review is the final result reported to the test requester. PROCESS SUMMARY ## What is the overall end-to-end process of a 7-panel hair follicle drug test? The complete process begins with the requester obtaining a lab order from AMH Nationwide. The individual then visits an authorized collection site for hair sample collection. The sample is sent to one of five national labs for analysis, starting with screening and followed by confirmation if needed. Next, a certified Medical Review Officer reviews any non-negative findings. Finally, the results are reported back to the requester. This process ensures reliable, accurate drug testing with a detection window of up to 90 days. Requester obtains lab order from AMH Nationwide Sample collected at authorized site Sample analyzed by Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox Initial screening followed by confirmation testing Certified MRO reviews non-negative results Final results reported to requester To begin, call (877) 731-6362 to get your lab order and find a collection site near you. AMH Reviewed & Maintained By AMH Nationwide Customer Service AMH Nationwide is BBB A+ accredited and routes every order through Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox, all of which use multiple lab certification agencies and standards such as [SAMHSA](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing)-aligned laboratory protocols, the ANSI National Accreditation Board for forensic testing and calibration, the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Every non-negative screen is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer as part of standard processing before a result is released, and chain-of-custody documentation is maintained on every collection. This page does not constitute medical or legal advice. **Last updated:** July 2026 You May Also Need [Nail Drug TestingNo head or body hair available? A 5-panel fingernail test covers a similar look-back window.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/5-panel-fingernail-drug-test/)[ChildGuard: Environmental ExposureConcerned about a child or loved one? ChildGuard screens for exposure to drugs in their environment.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/5-panel-hair-drug-test-environmental-exposure-childguard/)[Shorten the Detection WindowShortened options like 30 and 60 day hair panels are also available, useful when a urine test’s 1-3 day window is too short.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/30-day-hair-drug-test/)[Hair ETG Alcohol TestAlso need alcohol testing? The hair ETG test screens for alcohol use, and can be added to the same collection.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/etg-and-peth/) Frequently Asked Questions ## Common Questions Hair treatments like bleaching or dyeing can potentially reduce drug metabolite levels, but the test is designed to detect drugs despite such treatments. It is important to disclose any recent hair treatments to the collector. Drugs typically appear in hair follicles about 7 days after use because it takes time for metabolites to be incorporated into the hair shaft. No. DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing requires federally certified urine testing under [49 CFR Part 40](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40). Hair follicle testing is used for non-DOT roles. Any positive or non-negative result is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer who may contact the individual to verify legitimate explanations before final reporting. Lab analysis typically takes several days depending on the lab workload, with initial screening followed by confirmation as needed. No. AMH Nationwide routes samples to one of five national lab networks: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox, based on logistics and availability. Sources • [SAMHSA – Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing) • [U.S. DOT – 49 CFR Part 40 – Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40) • [CDC – National Center for Health Statistics – Drug Use FastStats](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug-use.htm) • [Quest Diagnostics – Employer Solutions, Hair Testing Methodology](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/) • [LabCorp – Occupational Testing Services](https://www.labcorp.com/) ## 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. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) --- **Need a drug, alcohol, HIV or STD test?** AMH Nationwide is a national lab testing agency operating since 2004, with more than 20,000 collection sites across the United States. Hair, urine, fingernail and blood testing, panels from 5 through 19, for individuals and employers. - Call: (877) 731-6377 - Find a collection site: https://amhnationwide.com/locations/ - Full page: https://amhnationwide.com/7-panel-hair-follicle-drug-test-how-it-works/