--- title: "How long do hair follicle test results take" description: "How long do hair follicle test results take? Results typically return in 3-5 business days after collection. Call (877) 731-6362 for details and scheduling." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["how long do hair follicle test results take", "how long do hair follicle test results take | how long do hair drug test results take | how long do hair follicle drug test results take"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/how-long-do-hair-follicle-test-results-take/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # How long do hair follicle test results take **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 How long do hair follicle test results take? Results typically return in 3-5 business days after collection. Call (877) 731-6362 for details and scheduling. --- How long do hair follicle test results take? Typically, results are available within 3 to 5 business days after the sample reaches the lab. Hair follicle drug testing offers a reliable detection window for past drug use. AMH Nationwide routes collections through five national labs and reviews all non-negative results with a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362. OVERVIEW ## How long do hair follicle test results take to process? Hair follicle test results usually take between 3 to 5 business days to process after the hair sample arrives at the laboratory. This timeframe allows the lab to conduct a detailed analysis of the hair shaft to detect drug metabolites, which can provide a [detection window](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-detection-window/) of up to 90 days. At AMH Nationwide, hair samples are routed through one of five national lab networks: [Quest Diagnostics](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/), [LabCorp](https://www.labcorp.com/), Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox. This ensures consistent, high-quality testing standards. PROCESS ## What factors affect how long hair follicle drug test results take? Several factors can influence the turnaround time for hair follicle drug test results: The volume of samples the lab is processing at any given time can affect speed. High demand periods may extend processing times slightly. The specific drug panel ordered affects processing complexity. Panels testing for more substances or including specialty analyses may take longer. The condition and length of the hair sample can impact preparation and analysis time. All non-negative hair follicle test results undergo review by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO), which adds an additional verification step to ensure accuracy. Lab workload: high volume can increase turnaround time Test panel complexity: wider panels may require more time Sample quality: hair length and condition impact processing MRO review: standard step for non-negative results COMPARISON ## How does hair follicle testing turnaround compare to other drug tests? Hair follicle drug tests generally take longer to yield results than [urine](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/) or saliva tests due to the complex laboratory analysis required. While urine drug test results can be available within 24 to 48 hours, hair testing requires several days for sample preparation, testing, and review. The following table compares average result times for common drug testing methods: | Test Type | Typical Result Time | | --- | --- | | Hair Follicle Test | 3-5 business days | | Urine Drug Test | 1-2 business days | | Saliva Drug Test | Same day to 1 day | Hair follicle testing is preferred when a longer detection window is needed, despite the slightly longer result times. DETECTION WINDOW ## How long do hair follicle drug test results reflect past drug use? Hair follicle drug tests detect drug metabolites embedded in the hair shaft, providing a detection window of approximately 90 days. This makes hair testing a reliable method for assessing long-term drug use patterns rather than recent usage. Hair grows roughly half an inch per month, and standard testing analyzes the most recent 1.5 inches of hair closest to the scalp. This length typically corresponds to a 90-day detection period. ## Ready to Schedule Your Hair Follicle Drug Test? Call (877) 731-6362 to get your lab order and collection site information. AMH Nationwide routes testing through five national labs with expert review. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) WHO ORDERS ## Who typically orders hair follicle drug testing and why? Employers, courts, [probation](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-probation/) agencies, and individuals order hair follicle drug testing when they require a longer detection window to assess drug use history. It is especially common in safety-sensitive industries, legal cases, and rehabilitation monitoring. Because hair testing is non-invasive and difficult to adulterate, it provides reliable results for compliance and verification purposes. Note that hair follicle testing is not used for DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing, which requires federally certified urine testing protocols under [49 CFR Part 40](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40). ORDERING ## How do I schedule a hair follicle drug test with AMH Nationwide? AMH Nationwide does not offer online ordering for hair follicle drug tests. To schedule a test or receive a customized quote based on the drug panel and detection window needed, call (877) 731-6362. Once you contact AMH, you will receive a lab order and directions to a nearby collection site. The sample is collected by trained personnel and sent to one of five national labs for analysis. All results, including non-negative findings, are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer to ensure accuracy and compliance. 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 follicle drug test results typically take 3 to 5 business days after the sample arrives at the lab. This includes testing and review by a certified Medical Review Officer. No. Hair follicle testing detects drug use within approximately the past 90 days but is not effective for detecting very recent drug use within days. No. DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing requires federally certified urine testing under 49 CFR Part 40. Hair testing is used for non-DOT roles. No. AMH Nationwide does not provide online test ordering. You must call (877) 731-6362 to receive a lab order and collection site information. AMH routes hair follicle samples through five national lab networks: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox. Yes. All non-negative hair follicle drug test results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer as part of standard processing. 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-long-do-hair-follicle-test-results-take/