Drug Test Cutoff Levels
Concentration thresholds set by SAMHSA that determine whether a drug test specimen is reported as positive or negative.
Key Facts
- Two stages: initial immunoassay screen and GC-MS/LC-MS confirmation
- SAMHSA/DOT set federal cutoff levels for 5-panel testing
- Confirmation cutoffs are typically lower than screening cutoffs
- Employers may set lower cutoffs for non-DOT testing
Cutoff levels establish the minimum concentration of a drug or metabolite that must be present for a test to be reported as positive. SAMHSA sets mandatory cutoff levels for federal workplace testing. There are two levels: initial (immunoassay screening) and confirmatory (GC-MS or LC-MS/MS). For example, marijuana initial cutoff is 50 ng/mL, confirmatory is 15 ng/mL. Cocaine initial is 150 ng/mL, confirmatory is 100 ng/mL. These thresholds eliminate normal environmental exposure from triggering positive results.
Drug Testing Procedures Compared
Key procedural elements that ensure drug test integrity and accuracy.
| Type | What It Covers | Regulation | Key Requirement | If Violated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain of Custody | Specimen tracking | 49 CFR Part 40 | Unbroken documentation | Test may be invalidated |
| CCF Form | Collection documentation | 49 CFR Part 40 | Multi-part form for all DOT tests | Test cancelled |
| Split Specimen | Retest option | 49 CFR Part 40 | Bottle A (30 mL) + Bottle B (15 mL) | Test cancelled if B negative |
| Cutoff Levels | Positive/negative threshold | SAMHSA guidelines | Two-stage: screen then confirm | False positives/negatives |
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