--- title: "How to read a drug test" description: "Learn how to read a drug test with clear explanations of drug test results from certified labs. Understand positive and negative screens. Call (877) 731-6362." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["how to read a drug test", "how to read a drug test | how to read drug test results | how to read drug screen results | how to read a drug screen test | what does a positive drug test look like | drug test passed | example of drug test results | how to read drug screening results | how can you tell if you passed a drug test | drug test levels"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/how-to-read-a-drug-test/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # How to read a drug test **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 Learn how to read a drug test with clear explanations of drug test results from certified labs. Understand positive and negative screens. Call (877) 731-6362. --- How to read a drug test involves understanding the screening and confirmation process used by certified labs including Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, and others. Results show whether substances are detected above cutoff levels, with every non-negative reviewed by a Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362 for guidance on interpreting your drug test results. BASICS ## What Is a Drug Test and How Are Results Reported? A drug test is a laboratory analysis of a biological specimen such as [urine](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/), hair, saliva, or blood to detect the presence of drugs or their metabolites. Results are reported as either negative (no drugs detected above cutoff) or non-negative (drugs detected above cutoff). AMH Nationwide routes collections through five national lab networks: [Quest Diagnostics](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/), [LabCorp](https://www.labcorp.com/), Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox. All non-negative screens are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) to confirm results and rule out legitimate medical explanations. Specimen types: urine (most common), hair (longer detection), saliva, blood Results: Negative, Non-negative (positive screen), or Inconclusive Cutoff levels: predetermined thresholds to reduce false positives MRO review: confirms non-negative results before final reporting INTERPRETATION ## How Can You Tell If You Passed a Drug Test? You pass a drug test when the specimen shows no drugs or metabolites above the laboratory’s cutoff levels. A negative result means the test did not detect drug use within the [detection window](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-detection-window/) of the specimen type. Passing does not mean zero traces of drugs, as low levels below cutoff thresholds are considered negative. Each drug has specific cutoff levels based on [SAMHSA](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing) guidelines or other regulatory standards. POSITIVE RESULTS ## What Does a Positive Drug Test Look Like? A positive drug test means the specimen contained drug levels above the established cutoff. The initial immunoassay screen flags the sample as presumptive positive, and a confirmatory test using GC-MS or LC-MS/MS verifies the specific drug and concentration. The lab report will show the drug name, concentration level, and whether it exceeds the cutoff. The Medical Review Officer reviews medical history and prescriptions before finalizing the positive result. Initial screen positive: flagged for confirmation Confirmatory test: identifies drug and exact level MRO review: validates results considering medical use Final report: positive or negative based on findings EXAMPLES ## Can You See an Example of Drug Test Results? Drug test results typically include the drug name, test method, cutoff level, and measured concentration. For example, a urine test report may show THC with a cutoff of 50 ng/mL and a measured level of 120 ng/mL indicating a positive result. Hair test results will list detected substances with detection windows covering weeks to months depending on hair length. Each lab network formats reports slightly differently but all contain key data for interpretation. ## Need Help Understanding Your Drug Test Results? AMH Nationwide provides expert guidance on how to read drug test results from certified labs. Contact us at (877) 731-6362 to discuss your report or arrange a test. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) LEVELS ## What Are Drug Test Levels and Cutoffs? Drug test levels refer to the measured concentration of a drug or metabolite in the specimen, usually in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Cutoff levels are minimum thresholds established to distinguish between negative and positive results and avoid false positives. Cutoffs vary by drug and specimen type. For example, the SAMHSA cutoff for THC in urine is 50 ng/mL. Levels below cutoff are reported negative even if trace amounts are present. | Drug | Common Urine Cutoff Level (ng/mL) | | --- | --- | | THC (Marijuana) | 50 | | Cocaine Metabolite | 150 | | Opiates | 2000 | | Amphetamines | 500 | | Phencyclidine (PCP) | 25 | HAIR VS URINE ## How Does Reading a Hair Drug Test Differ from Urine? Reading a hair drug test involves interpreting results from a longer detection window, usually up to 90 days, compared with urine which detects recent use typically within 1-3 days. Hair tests report presence or absence of drugs in hair segments rather than concentration levels. Hair tests are used mainly for non-DOT safety sensitive roles while urine is standard for DOT-regulated testing under [49 CFR Part 40](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40). Hair test results also undergo MRO review to confirm findings. Urine: detects recent drug use, quantitative levels reported Hair: detects historical use over months, qualitative results DOT testing: requires urine under federal protocol Non-DOT roles: may use hair testing for extended detection 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-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 Interpretation involves checking if drug levels exceed cutoff thresholds. Negative means below cutoff, positive means above. Confirmatory tests and MRO review ensure accuracy. Yes, depending on the drug, specimen type, and detection window. Urine detects recent use within days; hair can detect use over months. A negative result means no drugs were detected above cutoff levels during the test’s detection window, not necessarily zero drug presence. Yes. Drug test results are handled confidentially by labs and reported only to authorized parties per legal and privacy regulations. No. AMH Nationwide directs requesters to collection sites and manages lab routing. There is no online ordering. Call (877) 731-6362 for assistance. The Medical Review Officer reviews prescriptions and medical history to differentiate legitimate use from unauthorized drug use before releasing final results. 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-to-read-a-drug-test/