All non-DOT tests are performed on a urine specimen at a certified laboratory, and every confirmed positive is reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) before the result reaches you — the same quality process used in federal testing, applied to your private workplace program.
Select a test panel
Non-DOT 5-Panel
The industry-standard workplace test. Same five drug classes as the federal DOT panel — without the federal paperwork.
The non-DOT 5-panel is the most widely used workplace drug test in the country. It screens for the same five drug classes as the DOT 5-panel — marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP — but under your company's own policy rather than 49 CFR Part 40. It's the right choice for most employers who want a proven, defensible baseline test for pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable-suspicion testing.
Best for: General workforce screening; companies that want a standard, court-tested panel; employers with mixed DOT/non-DOT workforces who want consistent testing across both.
Marijuana
THC
What it detects
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Analyte(s) tested
THC-COOH (11-nor-delta-9-THC-9-carboxylic acid)
Initial cutoff
50 ng/mL
Confirmatory cutoff
15 ng/mL
In states with legal recreational or medical marijuana, some employers choose the No-THC 4-Panel instead — see the third tab.
Cocaine
COC
What it detects
Cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine
Analyte(s) tested
Benzoylecgonine
Initial cutoff
150 ng/mL
Confirmatory cutoff
100 ng/mL
Cocaine metabolites are typically detectable in urine for 2–4 days after use.
Opiates
OPI
What it detects
Heroin, codeine, and morphine
Analyte(s) tested
Codeine · Morphine · 6-AM (heroin marker)
Initial cutoff
2,000 ng/mL (codeine/morphine); 10 ng/mL (6-AM)
Confirmatory cutoff
2,000 ng/mL (codeine/morphine); 10 ng/mL (6-AM)
The standard opiate panel does not screen for semi-synthetic prescription opioids like oxycodone. Choose the 10-panel if prescription opioid abuse is a concern.
Amphetamines
AMP
What it detects
Amphetamine and methamphetamine
Analyte(s) tested
Amphetamine · Methamphetamine
Initial cutoff
500 ng/mL
Confirmatory cutoff
250 ng/mL
A valid prescription (e.g., Adderall) can be verified as negative by the MRO — the employee discloses it to the MRO, never to the employer.
Phencyclidine
PCP
What it detects
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Analyte(s) tested
Phencyclidine (parent compound)
Initial cutoff
25 ng/mL
Confirmatory cutoff
25 ng/mL
PCP has no accepted medical use; any confirmed positive is reported as positive.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Drug class | No-THC 4-Panel | Non-DOT 5-Panel | Non-DOT 10-Panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marijuana (THC) | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cocaine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Opiates (heroin, codeine, morphine) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Amphetamines / methamphetamine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PCP | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benzodiazepines | — | — | ✓ |
| Barbiturates | — | — | ✓ |
| Methadone | — | — | ✓ |
| MDMA (ecstasy) | — | — | ✓ |
| Oxycodone | — | — | ✓ |
Cutoff concentrations shown are standard laboratory defaults modeled on federal (SAMHSA) guidelines. Because non-DOT testing is not federally regulated, panels and cutoffs can be customized to your company policy — contact us if you need a different configuration.
How Non-DOT Testing Differs from DOT Testing
Non-DOT tests follow the same laboratory process as federal tests — certified lab, immunoassay screen, GC/MS or LC/MS/MS confirmation, and MRO review — but the rules come from your company policy instead of 49 CFR Part 40. That means:
You choose the panel. 4, 5, 10, or a custom configuration — DOT employers are locked into the federal 5-panel.
State law applies. Non-DOT programs must comply with state drug-testing and cannabis-employment laws; DOT tests preempt them.
You set the consequences. DOT prescribes removal from safety-sensitive duty and the SAP process; in a non-DOT program, your written policy governs discipline, return-to-duty, and retesting.
Custody forms differ. Non-DOT tests use a non-federal custody and control form — using a federal CCF for a non-DOT test is a compliance error.
For a full breakdown of the federal test, see our guide: What Is a 5-Panel DOT Drug Test?
Need a workplace testing program?
APCA sets up non-DOT testing programs — 4-panel, 5-panel, 10-panel, or custom — in less than 24 hours. We handle collections, lab results, MRO review, and record-keeping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test some employees on the 10-panel and others on the 5-panel?
Yes. Non-DOT testing is governed by your written policy, so you can assign different panels to different job categories — for example, a 10-panel for safety-sensitive roles and a 5-panel for office staff. The key is consistency: apply the same panel to everyone in the same job category to avoid discrimination claims.
Is it legal to drop THC from our drug test?
Yes — for non-DOT positions, the panel is entirely your choice. In fact, in a growing number of states (and some cities), employers are restricted from taking action based on off-duty cannabis use or THC-metabolite positives, which is exactly why the No-THC 4-panel exists. DOT-covered employees are the exception: federal rules require marijuana testing regardless of state law.
Will a prescription medication cause a positive result?
A confirmed positive for a prescribed medication (like Adderall, Xanax, or oxycodone) goes to the Medical Review Officer before you ever see it. If the employee has a valid prescription, the MRO reports the result to you as negative. You receive only the final verified result — never the underlying medical information.
Does the 10-panel detect fentanyl?
No. Fentanyl requires its own screen and is not part of the standard 10-panel. If fentanyl testing is a concern for your workforce, contact us about adding it to your panel.
Do non-DOT tests use the same labs as DOT tests?
APCA uses certified laboratories and MRO review for all testing, DOT and non-DOT alike. The difference is the governing rules and paperwork, not the quality of the analysis.