In addition to a background check, a drug test is often another standard pre-employment screening a candidate will go through. For most drug tests, a candidate will need to go offsite to a drug testing facility with paperwork for a test, although some drug test manufacturers carry on-the-spot drug tests that can have results within five minutes for up to ten substances. A worker who is a habitual drug user can bring down the morale of a work place, but more serious repercussions from hiring a drug user as a worker can be stealing, filing large amounts of workers compensation claims, and decreased productivity.

All standard drug tests involve testing urine at a lab facility. The three types of drug testing include:

• DOT (Department of Transportation) 5 Panel Drug Test, a basic drug test that tests for cannabinoids (marijuana), cocaine, amphetamines, phencyclidine (PCP), and opiates.
• Non-DOT 8 or 10-Panel Drug Test, a more thorough drug test that tests a candidate for all the substances in a DOT 5 Panel test, as well as methaqualone, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, and propoxphene.
• Adulterant checking, an on-the-spot drug test that can test up to the ten substances in a Non-DOT test. The benefits of this test include showing results in up to five minutes. While getting a drug test at a facility is typical for a pre-employment drug screening, an adulterant check can be used by an employer for instant results, especially if a worker appears to be under the influence of a substance while on the job.

     Urine drug testing is a standard procedure, although other types of drug tests can include testing hair and saliva for drugs. Hair drug testing can test for drugs used over the past three to six months, while saliva can yield the same time period of results as a urine drug test.