--- title: "What does a court ordered hair follicle test for" description: "Learn what a court ordered hair follicle test for detects in drug screening. Accurate, long-term drug use results. Call (877) 731-6362 for testing details." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["what does a court ordered hair follicle test for"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/what-does-a-court-ordered-hair-follicle-test-for/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # What does a court ordered hair follicle test for **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 Learn what a court ordered hair follicle test for detects in drug screening. Accurate, long-term drug use results. Call (877) 731-6362 for testing details. --- A court ordered hair follicle test for detects drug use by analyzing hair samples for drug metabolites, providing a detection window of up to 90 days. It is highly accurate and reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362 to arrange testing through AMH Nationwide. TEST BASICS ## What does a court ordered hair follicle test for detect? A court ordered hair follicle test detects the presence of drug metabolites in a hair sample, indicating drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days. It is designed to identify substances such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). This test is commonly used by courts, [probation](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-probation/) officers, and employers to monitor compliance with drug use restrictions. [DETECTION WINDOW](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-detection-window/) ## How long after drug use can a hair follicle test detect substances? Hair follicle testing can detect drug use for approximately 90 days prior to sample collection. This extended detection window is due to drugs and their metabolites being deposited in the hair shaft as it grows. Unlike [urine](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/) or saliva tests which detect recent use, hair testing provides a longer-term overview of drug consumption. Detection window: up to 90 days Sample type: hair, usually 1.5 inches from the scalp Not effective for detecting very recent use within the past 7 days WHO ORDERS ## Who typically orders a court ordered hair follicle test? Courts and probation departments frequently order hair follicle tests to monitor individuals for drug use compliance during legal proceedings or supervision. Employers may also request this test when long-term drug use history verification is necessary, especially in safety-sensitive or legal contexts. AMH Nationwide facilitates these tests by providing lab orders and directing individuals to one of five national lab networks for sample collection. Courts and probation officers Employers in legal or safety-sensitive roles Legal compliance monitoring agencies TEST PROCESS ## What is the process for a court ordered hair follicle test at AMH Nationwide? AMH Nationwide provides the lab order for the hair follicle test and directs the individual to a collection site within 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. A trained collector takes approximately 1.5 inches of hair from the scalp, usually from the crown area. The sample is sent to the lab for analysis, and every non-negative result is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer to ensure accuracy and validity. ## Arrange Your Court Ordered Hair Follicle Test Today Contact AMH Nationwide to obtain your lab order and schedule your hair follicle drug test at one of over 20,000 collection sites nationwide. Call (877) 731-6362. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) DOT REGULATIONS ## Is hair follicle testing used for DOT-regulated safety-sensitive positions? Hair follicle testing is not accepted for Department of Transportation (DOT)-regulated safety-sensitive testing, which requires federally certified urine testing under [49 CFR Part 40](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40). However, hair follicle tests may be used for non-DOT roles where long-term drug use history is relevant. TEST RELIABILITY ## Can a court ordered hair follicle test be beaten or affected by passive exposure? Hair follicle tests are highly reliable and difficult to evade due to their long detection window and scientific analysis of drug metabolites within the hair shaft. Passive exposure to drugs is unlikely to produce a positive result because the test detects metabolites formed inside the body, not just external contamination. Attempts to cheat the test are detected during laboratory processing or by the Medical Review Officer’s review. 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 A small sample of hair, about 1.5 inches long, is cut close to the scalp, typically from the crown area. This sample reflects drug use over the prior 90 days. Commonly tested drugs include marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP. Panels can vary, so contact AMH Nationwide for specific test options. Results usually take several days to a week, depending on the lab network. Every non-negative result undergoes Medical Review Officer evaluation before reporting. Hair treatments like dyeing or bleaching may reduce drug metabolite levels but generally do not prevent detection. Labs account for such factors during analysis. The test is non-invasive and painless, involving only a small hair sample cut from the scalp without discomfort. Call (877) 731-6362 to receive a lab order and directions to a nearby collection site within one of five national lab networks. AMH does not offer online ordering. 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/what-does-a-court-ordered-hair-follicle-test-for/