The most widely used workplace drug screening panel — covering the five most common substances across pre-employment, random, and ongoing workforce testing programs. Fast results, certified collection, chain-of-custody documentation.
The 5 panel drug test is the most widely used workplace drug screening tool in the United States. It screens a urine specimen for five of the most commonly abused substances — marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). Its combination of broad coverage, fast turnaround, and cost-effectiveness makes it the default choice for most non-DOT employer testing programs.
Midwest Identity Services provides certified 5 panel urine drug testing for pre-employment screening, ongoing random programs, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and court-ordered or probation requirements. Every collection follows proper chain-of-custody procedures, and all confirmed non-negative results are reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) before being reported.
This is the non-DOT 5 panel test — suitable for most employers not regulated by a DOT operating agency. If your role requires DOT testing (CDL drivers, FAA personnel, FRA railroad workers, FTA transit employees, or PHMSA pipeline workers), you need the DOT 5 panel test which follows stricter federal procedures. Not sure which applies? Call us at (816) 442-0295 and we'll confirm in two minutes.
The 5 panel test screens these five drug categories. Detection windows vary based on frequency of use, metabolism, and individual physiology — the ranges below reflect typical urine detection for occasional to regular users.
The most commonly detected substance in workplace drug testing. THC metabolites are stored in fat cells, which is why marijuana has the longest detection window of any substance on the 5 panel. Heavy or daily users can test positive weeks after last use.
A powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system, causing heightened alertness, increased heart rate, and impaired judgment. Its primary metabolite benzoylecgonine is what the urine test detects, typically for 2–4 days after use.
Screens for morphine, codeine, and heroin metabolites. The non-DOT 5 panel typically covers these traditional opiates. If prescription opioid medications (such as hydrocodone or oxycodone) are a concern, a higher-panel test or the DOT 5 panel may be more appropriate.
Screens for amphetamine and methamphetamine. These stimulants can cause extreme agitation, paranoia, and erratic behavior — significant safety risks in any workplace. MDMA (ecstasy) may also be detected depending on the test configuration used.
Originally developed as an anesthetic, PCP causes hallucinations, delusions, and extreme agitation — making it one of the most dangerous substances for workplace safety. It has the second-longest detection window on the standard 5 panel after marijuana.
A non-negative result does not automatically mean a violation. If you have a valid prescription for an opiate, amphetamine, or other covered substance, disclose it at intake. The MRO contacts you before finalizing any non-negative result and can verify legitimate prescriptions.
The 5 panel test is the standard across most industries and testing scenarios. Here are the most common situations where it is requested.
The most common use case — employers screen job applicants before extending a conditional offer of employment. The 5 panel provides comprehensive coverage of the most commonly abused workplace substances at an efficient cost.
Employers maintain an ongoing random testing pool, selecting employees without warning throughout the year. The 5 panel is the most common choice for random programs — deterring drug use through the ongoing possibility of testing.
When a workplace accident or incident occurs, the 5 panel test helps determine whether substance use was a contributing factor. Non-DOT employers set their own policy thresholds for when post-accident testing is required.
When a supervisor observes specific signs of potential impairment — behavioral changes, smell, coordination issues — the 5 panel is used to test the employee promptly. Supervisor documentation of observations should occur before or alongside testing.
Courts, probation officers, and diversion programs frequently require the 5 panel test. Results are properly documented with chain-of-custody records and can be reported directly to the requesting authority.
Retail chains, hospitality businesses, warehouses, healthcare facilities, and other non-DOT employers use the 5 panel as their standard workplace drug screen — balancing thorough coverage with cost-efficiency for high-volume hiring programs.
Most 5 panel drug test appointments take 10–15 minutes for the collection itself. Here is exactly what to expect from booking through result.
Book online at midwestidentityservices.com or call (816) 442-0295. If your employer provided a test order or authorization form, have that ready. Let us know if this is for pre-employment, random, post-accident, court-ordered, or another purpose — different programs may have specific documentation requirements.
We verify your government-issued photo ID and complete the donor intake information — including your name, date of birth, employer contact for result delivery, and any current prescription medications you want noted. Disclosing prescriptions at this stage is important: it protects you if a non-negative result requires MRO review.
You provide a urine specimen in a private collection facility. The collection follows standard chain-of-custody procedures — the specimen is collected in a secure cup, temperature is verified, and the specimen is transferred into a sealed specimen bottle with tamper-evident seals applied. You initial the seals before the specimen leaves your sight.
Depending on the test type, an initial immunoassay screen is performed — either on-site with a rapid test device (point-of-care test) or the sealed specimen is sent directly to a certified laboratory. Rapid on-site screens can produce preliminary results within minutes, though positive screens always require laboratory confirmation.
If the initial screen returns non-negative, the specimen undergoes confirmatory testing at a certified laboratory using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) — the gold standard for drug test confirmation. The Medical Review Officer then contacts you to verify results and review any legitimate medical explanation before issuing a final result to your employer.
Negative results are reported directly and quickly — typically within 1 minute up to 5 days depending on the test method. All results are reported confidentially to the authorized employer contact or requesting authority. You receive confirmation that the test was completed and results have been reported.
Whether you need a single pre-employment test or a full employer testing program, we handle every step — collection, documentation, and result reporting — correctly the first time.
Every collection follows certified chain-of-custody procedures — tamper-evident seals, temperature verification, and proper documentation. Results withstand employer review, legal scrutiny, and audit examination.
All non-negative results go through Medical Review Officer review. The MRO contacts the donor, verifies legitimate medical explanations, and issues the final result to your employer — protecting both the employee and the employer from false positives.
Negative results typically available within 24–48 hours of collection. Rapid point-of-care options provide preliminary screening in minutes. All results returned within 1 minute up to 5 days — keeping your hiring and compliance timelines on track.
Individual tests and full employer programs — random pool management, pre-employment screening, post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing. We support businesses of all sizes with consistent, reliable testing services.
Pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, court-ordered, and probation testing — all handled with the same certified collection procedures and documentation standards every time.
Not sure if the 5 panel is the right test for your situation — or whether you need DOT vs non-DOT? Call (816) 442-0295. We'll answer your questions and confirm the correct test type in under two minutes.
More questions? Call (816) 442-0295 and we'll answer in two minutes.
Pre-employment, random, post-accident, court-ordered & more — certified collection, MRO-reviewed results, chain-of-custody documentation.
8101 E. Bannister Rd · Kansas City, MO 64134 · Cost: $60–$99 based on services needed
