--- title: "Do companies do hair drug tests" description: "Do companies do hair drug tests for workplace screening? Hair follicle testing detects drug use up to 90 days. Call (877) 731-6362 for lab testing info." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["do companies do hair drug tests", "do companies do hair drug tests | do companies do hair follicle drug tests | what companies do hair follicle drug tests | what companies do hair follicle drug test | what companies hair follicle drug test"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/do-companies-do-hair-drug-tests/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # Do companies do hair drug tests **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 Do companies do hair drug tests for workplace screening? Hair follicle testing detects drug use up to 90 days. Call (877) 731-6362 for lab testing info. --- Do companies do hair drug tests to detect drug use over an extended period? Yes, many employers use hair follicle drug tests to identify substance use within the past 90 days. These tests provide reliable results reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule testing or learn more. OVERVIEW ## Do companies do hair drug tests for employee screening? Yes, companies do hair drug tests as part of their employee drug screening programs. Hair follicle tests detect drug metabolites embedded in hair shafts, offering a [detection window](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-detection-window/) of up to 90 days. This makes them useful for employers seeking long-term substance use information beyond [urine](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/) or saliva tests. Employers often use hair drug testing for [pre-employment](https://amhnationwide.com/pre-employment-hair-testing/) screening, random testing, or post-incident investigations. The test is less invasive and harder to adulterate than urine testing, providing reliable results. TESTING PROCESS ## How do hair follicle drug tests work in workplace settings? Hair follicle drug tests analyze a small sample of hair cut close to the scalp. The lab examines the hair for traces of drug metabolites that enter the hair follicle from the bloodstream. AMH Nationwide coordinates the lab order and directs the requester to one of our 20,000+ nationwide collection sites. Samples are sent to one of five national lab networks: [Quest Diagnostics](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/), [LabCorp](https://www.labcorp.com/), Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox. Every non-negative hair drug test is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer to confirm results before reporting. Sample length typically covers 1.5 inches of hair, reflecting about 90 days of drug use. Common drugs tested include marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP. Hair testing is not federally required for DOT-regulated safety-sensitive positions, which mandate urine testing under [49 CFR Part 40](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40). EMPLOYER USAGE ## What companies do hair follicle drug tests for employment purposes? Various companies across industries use hair follicle drug tests, especially those with safety-sensitive roles or zero-tolerance policies. This includes construction firms, transportation companies (non-DOT roles), manufacturing plants, and government contractors. Employers choose hair testing for its ability to detect drug use over a longer period compared to urine or saliva tests, helping to identify habitual substance use. Companies with strict drug policies and long-term monitoring needs. Employers requiring random or reasonable suspicion testing. Organizations needing confirmation of drug abstinence during [probation](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-probation/) or rehabilitation. TESTING LIMITATIONS ## Are there limitations to hair follicle drug tests companies should know? Hair drug tests cannot detect very recent drug use within the past 7 days because it takes time for drug metabolites to incorporate into hair. For immediate detection, urine or saliva tests are preferred. Certain hair treatments like bleaching or dyeing can affect test results, although labs account for this during analysis. Passive exposure to drugs is unlikely to cause a positive hair test because the metabolites must enter the hair follicle from the bloodstream. ## Ready to Arrange Hair Drug Testing? Contact AMH Nationwide to schedule hair follicle drug testing through our extensive national lab network. Call (877) 731-6362 for assistance. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) ORDERING & RESULTS ## How do companies arrange hair drug testing with AMH Nationwide? AMH Nationwide does not offer online ordering. To arrange hair drug testing, companies must call (877) 731-6362 to initiate the lab order. We then direct the requester to a convenient collection site within our nationwide network. Test results are processed by one of five national labs and reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer before final reporting to the employer. PRICING & QUOTES ## What is the cost of hair follicle drug testing for companies? Pricing for hair follicle drug tests varies depending on the drug panel selected and the detection window required. Factors that influence cost include the number of drugs tested and the complexity of the analysis. For an accurate price quote, companies should call (877) 731-6362 to discuss their specific testing needs. COMPLIANCE ## Are hair follicle drug tests accepted for DOT safety-sensitive positions? No, hair follicle drug tests are not accepted for Department of Transportation (DOT) regulated safety-sensitive roles. DOT requires federally certified urine drug testing protocols under 49 CFR Part 40. Hair testing is suitable for non-DOT roles or employers with their own drug testing policies. 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 Many companies use hair follicle drug tests, especially when they need to detect long-term drug use. However, some prefer urine or saliva testing for recent use detection. The choice depends on company policy and testing goals. Hair follicle drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days prior to the test. This extended detection period helps identify consistent or past drug use patterns. No, hair drug tests detect drug metabolites incorporated from the bloodstream, so passive exposure is unlikely to cause a positive result. Common drugs tested include marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP. Panels may vary based on employer requirements. No, DOT requires urine drug testing under federally certified protocols. Hair tests are used for non-DOT roles or other employer testing programs. Companies must call (877) 731-6362 to initiate the lab order. AMH Nationwide then directs them to a collection site within our national lab network for sample collection. 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/do-companies-do-hair-drug-tests/