--- title: "How common are hair drug tests" description: "Learn how common are hair drug tests in workplace and legal settings. Hair follicle drug testing offers a 90-day detection window. Call (877) 731-6362 for info." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["how common are hair drug tests", "how common are hair drug tests | are hair follicle drug tests common | how common are hair follicle drug tests | how common is hair follicle drug testing"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/how-common-are-hair-drug-tests/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # How common are hair drug tests **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 Learn how common are hair drug tests in workplace and legal settings. Hair follicle drug testing offers a 90-day detection window. Call (877) 731-6362 for info. --- How common are hair drug tests? Hair drug tests are increasingly used by employers and legal entities because they detect drug use over a 90-day period and are difficult to alter. Hair follicle drug testing is less common than urine testing but valued for its extended detection window. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule testing or learn more. OVERVIEW ## How common are hair drug tests in workplace and legal settings? Hair drug tests are less common than [urine](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/) drug screens but are frequently used in specific scenarios where long-term drug use history is important. Employers in safety-sensitive industries and legal authorities often order hair follicle drug tests for their ability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior. Hair follicle drug testing is common in industries requiring thorough background screening, including transportation, construction, and government contractors. It is also used in [probation](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-probation/) and [child custody](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-child-custody/) cases where a longer [detection window](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-detection-window/) is necessary. Detection window: up to 90 days Common in safety-sensitive employment screening Used in legal and probation settings Less common than urine testing for routine screening LAB PROCESS ## How is hair follicle drug testing conducted and processed? Hair follicle drug tests involve collecting a small sample of hair, typically 1.5 inches from the scalp, which represents approximately 90 days of drug use history. The sample is 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. All non-negative results undergo review by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) to ensure accuracy and proper interpretation. AMH Nationwide provides the lab order and directs individuals to authorized collection sites. There is no online ordering available. Sample: 1.5 inches of scalp hair Labs: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, USDTL, ExperTox MRO review for all non-negative results No online ordering; call (877) 731-6362 to schedule COMPARISON ## Are hair follicle drug tests common compared to urine or saliva tests? Hair follicle drug tests are less common than urine and saliva tests overall but are preferred when a longer detection window is required. Urine tests detect recent drug use within days, while hair tests detect drug metabolites deposited in hair over months. Saliva testing is usually for immediate detection within 24-48 hours and is less invasive. Hair testing is chosen when employers or courts need evidence of drug use over extended periods rather than recent use. | Test Type | Typical Detection Window | | --- | --- | | Urine Drug Test | 1-7 days | | Hair Follicle Drug Test | Up to 90 days | | Saliva Drug Test | 24-48 hours | APPLICATIONS ## Who typically orders hair follicle drug testing? Hair follicle drug tests are ordered by employers in safety-sensitive industries, legal professionals in probation or custody cases, and individuals seeking comprehensive drug use history. It is not commonly used for random workplace testing due to cost and collection requirements. Employers require hair testing when they need a reliable, tamper-resistant method to evaluate long-term drug use. Courts may order hair tests as part of monitoring conditions or verifying compliance with drug-related mandates. Employers in transportation, construction, government Legal and probation authorities Child custody evaluations Individual requests for extended drug use history ## Schedule Your Hair Follicle Drug Test Today AMH Nationwide coordinates hair follicle drug testing through top national labs with certified MRO review. Call (877) 731-6362 to arrange testing or get answers to your questions. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) DETECTION WINDOW ## How long can hair follicle drug tests detect drug use? Hair follicle drug testing detects drug metabolites incorporated into hair shafts as they grow, providing a detection window of up to 90 days. This makes it effective for identifying patterns of drug use rather than recent or single-use events. The detection window depends on hair length; typically, 1.5 inches of hair represents about three months. Drugs cannot be detected if hair is too short or absent, but alternative specimen types may be used when hair testing is not feasible. Typical detection window: 90 days 1.5 inches of scalp hair used Detects long-term use patterns Not effective for very recent drug use RELIABILITY ## How reliable and accurate are hair drug tests? Hair follicle drug tests are highly reliable when collected and processed correctly through certified labs. The involvement of a Medical Review Officer ensures non-negative results are thoroughly evaluated to confirm accuracy and rule out false positives. Hair testing is less susceptible to adulteration or substitution compared to urine tests. However, hair color, cosmetic treatments, and environmental exposure may affect results, and labs account for these factors during analysis. Processed by certified national labs MRO reviews all non-negative results Less prone to tampering than urine tests Factors like hair treatment considered in analysis 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 drug tests detect drug use over a period of up to 90 days, but a single use may be harder to identify depending on timing and hair growth. They are better at detecting patterns of repeated use. Yes, hair color and cosmetic treatments can influence test results. Certified labs use methods to minimize these effects and ensure accurate interpretation. Hair tests primarily detect drug metabolites incorporated internally, so passive exposure is unlikely to cause a positive result. No, DOT testing requires federally certified urine protocols under [49 CFR Part 40](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40). Hair testing is used for non-DOT safety-sensitive roles or other purposes. Call (877) 731-6362 to have AMH Nationwide provide the lab order and direct you to a nearby collection site. There is no online ordering available. Yes, pricing depends on the specific drug panel and detection window requested. Contact AMH Nationwide at (877) 731-6362 for a detailed quote. 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/how-common-are-hair-drug-tests/