9-Month Hair Drug Test: Complete Guide | AMH Nationwide
Complete 9-Month Hair Drug Test Guide for Long-Term Drug Detection Benefits
The 9-month hair drug test guide explains how this test detects drug use over a nine-month period by analyzing hair samples. It is used by employers and legal entities for long-term drug screening. Collection is done at national labs including Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule your test.
What is a 9-month hair drug test?
A 9-month hair drug test is a laboratory analysis that detects drug metabolites in hair samples covering approximately nine months of drug use. This test measures substances incorporated into the hair shaft as it grows, providing a long detection window compared to urine or saliva testing.
Hair grows about half an inch per month, so a 4.5-inch hair strand is typically collected to represent nine months of drug use history. The test is non-DOT and used primarily for employment screening, legal cases, or compliance monitoring where long-term drug use information is needed.
Who orders a 9-month hair drug test?
Employers, legal professionals, and probation or parole officers commonly order the 9-month hair drug test. It is chosen when a longer detection window is required than what urine or oral fluid tests provide.
The test is suitable for workplaces with zero-tolerance policies, courts requiring evidence of abstinence, or rehabilitation programs monitoring long-term compliance. It is not used for DOT-regulated safety-sensitive positions, which require federally certified urine testing.
What drugs can the 9-month hair drug test detect and what is the detection window?
The 9-month hair drug test detects multiple drug classes including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). The detection window spans approximately nine months, reflecting the period during which the hair sample grew.
Because hair testing measures drug metabolites embedded in the hair shaft, it is effective for detecting intermittent or chronic use over an extended timeframe. This contrasts with urine tests that detect recent use within days.
| Drug Class | Detection Window |
|---|---|
| Marijuana (THC) | Up to 9 months |
| Cocaine | Up to 9 months |
| Opiates (Heroin, Morphine) | Up to 9 months |
| Amphetamines (Methamphetamine, MDMA) | Up to 9 months |
| Phencyclidine (PCP) | Up to 9 months |
How is the 9-month hair drug test collected?
The collection involves cutting a small sample of hair close to the scalp, typically from the crown area, to capture the most recent nine months of growth. The standard length collected is about 4.5 inches.
AMH Nationwide directs clients to one of five national lab networks for collection: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox. There is no online ordering; all test requests require a lab order through AMH. A certified collector trims the hair sample following strict chain-of-custody procedures.
After collection, samples are sent to the laboratory for analysis. Non-negative results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer as part of standard processing.
Schedule Your 9-Month Hair Drug Test Today
Contact AMH Nationwide to receive your lab order and find a collection site near you. Call (877) 731-6362 to get started.
How do I get started with a 9-month hair drug test?
To initiate a 9-month hair drug test, first contact AMH Nationwide by calling (877) 731-6362. AMH will provide the necessary lab order and direct you to a convenient collection site within the national lab networks.
Since test panels and detection windows vary, pricing depends on the specific drugs tested and length of hair analyzed. AMH does not offer online ordering or pricing on the website; all quotes require a direct call.
After collection, results are typically available within a few days. For questions about the process or to schedule a test, call (877) 731-6362.
How does the 9-month hair drug test compare to other drug tests?
Compared to urine and oral fluid tests, the 9-month hair drug test offers a significantly longer detection window but does not detect very recent drug use within the past week. DOT-regulated testing requires federally certified urine protocols and does not accept hair testing for safety-sensitive roles.
Hair testing is less invasive and harder to adulterate than urine tests. It is preferred when long-term drug use history is critical.
| Test Type | Detection Window | Typical Use | Regulatory Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-Month Hair Drug Test | Up to 9 months | Long-term screening, legal cases | Non-DOT roles |
| Urine Drug Test | 1-4 days | Workplace screening, DOT roles | DOT-regulated |
| Oral Fluid Test | 24-48 hours | Recent use detection | Non-DOT roles |
Common Questions
Hair drug testing can potentially detect drug use beyond nine months if longer hair samples are collected, but accuracy decreases with length. The standard 9-month test uses about 4.5 inches of hair for reliable results.
No. DOT-regulated positions require urine testing following the federally certified protocol under 49 CFR Part 40. Hair testing is only accepted for non-DOT roles.
If the hair is too short to provide a 4.5-inch sample, the laboratory may test a shorter window, but this reduces the detection period. AMH can advise on alternative testing options if hair length is insufficient.
Results are typically available within several business days after the lab receives the hair sample. Non-negative results undergo review by a certified Medical Review Officer before final reporting.
Hair treatments like dyeing or bleaching may reduce drug metabolite levels but generally do not eliminate them. Laboratories account for these factors during analysis.
Pricing varies by the specific drug panel and detection window. AMH Nationwide provides quotes upon request. Call (877) 731-6362 for a price estimate.
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.