How long do hair follicle tests take to come back
How Long Do Hair Follicle Tests Take to Come Back for Reliable Drug Detection
How long do hair follicle tests take to come back? Results from hair follicle drug tests generally take 5 to 7 business days after sample collection. AMH Nationwide routes samples to one of five national lab networks for analysis, with every non-negative result reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule your test or get more information.
How long does it take to get hair follicle test results?
Hair follicle test results typically take 5 to 7 business days from the date of sample collection to be reported. This timeframe accounts for sample transportation to the lab, testing, and review processes.
AMH Nationwide routes all hair follicle samples through one of five national lab networks: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox. These labs follow strict protocols to ensure accuracy and reliability.
The certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) reviews any positive or non-negative results to confirm findings and provide a final report. This step is standard and part of the quality control process.
What factors influence how long hair follicle tests take to come back?
Several factors can affect the turnaround time of hair follicle test results:
Transportation time from collection site to the lab varies by location.
The volume of samples the lab is processing can cause delays during peak times.
Complexity of the drug panel ordered and additional confirmatory testing if initial results are non-negative.
Because AMH Nationwide directs clients to collection sites but does not conduct onsite testing, the time between collection and lab receipt is outside direct control. For specific timelines, call (877) 731-6362.
How is the hair follicle test processed and reported?
Hair follicle testing involves analyzing a small sample of hair, typically 1.5 inches long, representing approximately 90 days of drug use history.
Once collected, samples are sent to one of the five national labs where specialized equipment detects drug metabolites embedded in the hair shaft.
All non-negative screenings undergo confirmatory testing using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to ensure accuracy.
After lab testing, a certified Medical Review Officer reviews the results to interpret and confirm findings before releasing the final report.
This multi-step process ensures reliable and legally defensible results for employers, courts, probation officers, and individuals.
What is the detection window for hair follicle drug tests?
Hair follicle tests detect drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days prior to collection.
Drugs are deposited into the hair shaft from the bloodstream and remain stable, allowing retrospective detection.
Hair testing is not effective for detecting very recent drug use (within 7 days) because hair needs time to grow out from the scalp.
Schedule Your Hair Follicle Test Today
Call (877) 731-6362 to speak with a representative who can assist with scheduling your hair follicle drug test and answer any questions about the process or timing.
Who orders hair follicle drug tests and why?
Employers often use hair follicle testing for pre-employment screening and random drug testing due to its long detection window.
Courts and probation agencies may require hair tests for monitoring compliance over months.
Individuals may request hair testing for personal monitoring or as part of legal or employment requirements.
DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing does not use hair follicle tests; it requires federally certified urine testing under 49 CFR Part 40.
AMH Nationwide provides lab orders and directs to collection sites; there is no online ordering. Call (877) 731-6362 to arrange testing.
How much does hair follicle testing cost and how do I order?
Pricing for hair follicle drug tests varies depending on the drug panel selected and the detection window required.
AMH Nationwide does not offer online ordering; tests must be scheduled by phone.
To get a price quote or schedule a hair follicle test, call (877) 731-6362.
After scheduling, AMH will provide the lab order and direct you to the nearest collection site among the five national lab networks.
All results undergo certified Medical Review Officer evaluation before reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
Common Questions
Hair follicle tests typically detect drug use within the past 90 days. Hair needs time to grow, so very recent use (within 7 days) is usually not detected.
Standard turnaround is 5 to 7 business days. Expedited testing may be available depending on the lab network and specific circumstances. Contact AMH at (877) 731-6362 for options.
Hair follicle tests provide a longer detection window, up to 90 days, and are highly accurate when processed by certified labs with MRO review. Urine tests detect recent use typically within 1-3 days.
Using multiple national lab networks like Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox allows AMH to provide wide geographic coverage and ensure timely processing.
All non-negative hair follicle test results undergo confirmatory testing and review by a certified Medical Review Officer before the final report is issued to confirm accuracy.
Hair follicle testing is designed to detect drug metabolites incorporated into hair from bloodstream exposure, not external contamination. Passive exposure is generally not sufficient to produce a positive result.
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.