Hair Follicle Drug Testing
Hair Follicle Drug Testing in the United States – A Longer Look Than a One-Day Snapshot
Hair follicle drug testing is a laboratory service that analyzes a scalp hair sample to detect drug use over an extended window, commonly up to about 90 days. AMH Nationwide arranges collection at Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp sites nationwide, with every non-negative result reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (866) 346-5763 to schedule or contact us.
What Is Hair Follicle Drug Testing?
“Hair follicle drug testing” is a laboratory method that analyzes hair strands for drug metabolites deposited in the hair shaft as it grows. Unlike a urine or saliva sample, which reflects only recent use, a hair sample carries a longer record because each segment of hair corresponds to a period of growth. AMH Nationwide sources this testing through Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, both of which use SAMHSA-aligned laboratory protocols.
What separates hair follicle testing from urine or oral fluid testing is mostly the length of the look-back window. A urine test tells a requester about the last few days; a hair test tells a requester about a pattern over roughly the last three months.
How Far Back Does a Hair Test Detect Drug Use?
A standard 1.5 inch hair follicle sample is generally described as covering roughly the last 90 days of drug use history, based on average scalp hair growth rates published by SAMHSA and used by Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp in their hair testing methodology. Very recent use, in the days immediately before collection, may not yet register because hair has not yet grown out far enough from the follicle to be sampled and cut.
| Test | Approximate Window | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Hair Follicle | Up to ~90 days | General employment, court, or private requests |
| 6-Month Hair Test | Up to ~6 months | Extended history for custody or program compliance |
| 9-Month Hair Test | Up to ~9 months | Longer pattern review requested by a court or program |
| 12-Month Hair Test | Up to ~12 months | Full year segment-by-segment history |
This is why hair testing is often chosen when a requester cares about a pattern of use rather than a single incident. AMH Nationwide also offers 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month hair test protocols that section a longer hair sample into consecutive segments, each covering roughly a month of growth.
Who Orders Hair Follicle Drug Testing?
Employers use hair follicle drug testing for pre-employment and safety-sensitive roles that fall outside DOT-regulated testing rules, since it offers a longer look than a urine screen. Individuals also request it for family court, custody evaluations, probation compliance, and private peace-of-mind testing, often at the direction of an attorney, caseworker, or the court itself.
Ready to schedule a hair follicle test?
Collection is available nationwide at Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp locations. Speak with a specialist or contact us now.
What Should I Expect for Pricing?
AMH Nationwide does not publish a fixed nationwide price for hair follicle drug testing because pricing depends on the panel size, the length of the detection window requested, and whether confirmation testing and Medical Review Officer review are bundled in. Call (866) 346-5763 for a current quote; volume pricing is available for employers ordering on an ongoing basis.
AMH Nationwide at a Glance
Every AMH Nationwide order includes laboratory confirmation testing on any non-negative screen and review by a certified Medical Review Officer before a result is released, which is standard practice for defensible drug testing programs.
How Do I Schedule a Hair Follicle Test?
Scheduling a hair follicle test through AMH Nationwide follows the same five steps regardless of who is requesting the test.
Call or contact us
Call AMH Nationwide or contact us to select the hair follicle test and confirm the requester, such as an employer, court, or private request.
Get routed to a collection site
Receive a collection order for the nearest participating Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp patient service center from the nationwide network.
Visit for collection
A small hair sample is cut close to the scalp in a discreet, private area of the collection site.
Laboratory analysis
The sample is sent for laboratory analysis; any non-negative screen goes through confirmation testing before Medical Review Officer review.
Results released
Results are released to the requester or to you directly, depending on how the order was placed and who is authorized to receive them.
What Hair Test Panels Does AMH Nationwide Offer?
AMH Nationwide offers multiple hair follicle panel sizes, each screening for a different number of substance classes within the same approximate 90 day window. Panel size affects which substances are screened, not how far back the test can detect use.
How Does AMH Nationwide Keep Results Defensible?
AMH Nationwide routes every hair follicle order through Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, both SAMHSA-aligned reference laboratories, and pairs collection with confirmation testing on any non-negative screen plus review by a certified Medical Review Officer. This chain of accredited collection, laboratory analysis, and clinical review supports a result an employer, court, or program can rely on.
Chain-of-custody documentation, tamper-evident packaging, and a documented collector process at each Quest and LabCorp site support the integrity of the sample from collection through laboratory analysis, which matters most when a result may be reviewed by an employer, attorney, or court.
What Other AMH Nationwide Resources Pair With This One?
Common Questions About Hair Follicle Drug Testing
AMH Nationwide is BBB A+ accredited, and general accreditation information is available publicly through the BBB; ask AMH Nationwide directly if a specific document is needed for an employer or program file.
Yes, employers can coordinate testing for a group of employees through AMH Nationwide, using the same nationwide Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp network for consistent collection across locations and roles.
No, a standard hair follicle test screens for drug metabolites, while a hair ETG test is a separate service that screens specifically for alcohol use; both can sometimes be ordered from the same collection visit.
No. DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing under 49 CFR Part 40 currently requires the federally certified urine protocol, not hair. Hair testing is used for non-DOT employer, legal, and personal purposes.
No. Collection involves cutting a small bundle of hair close to the scalp with scissors from a less visible section of the head. It does not involve needles, and the cut section is not noticeable once hair is styled normally.
When scalp hair is too short or unavailable, collectors can use body hair, such as underarm, chest, or leg hair, though body hair grows differently and the detection window estimate can shift as a result.
Many family courts and probation programs accept lab-based hair follicle testing as one piece of evidence; acceptance and any specific protocol requirements vary by jurisdiction, so confirm the requirement with the court, your attorney, or your probation officer before scheduling.
Standard turnaround for hair follicle testing is typically a few business days once the sample reaches the laboratory; confirmation testing on a non-negative screen can add additional time.
Need to schedule hair follicle testing today?
Collection available nationwide at Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp. Every result reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. BBB A+ accredited.