It’s Coming! Oral Fluids Testing for DOT is One Step Closer
Earlier this month, after many years in review, the U.S. Department of Transportation released final guidelines to allow oral fluids drug testing for DOT drivers. This has been a long time coming and something that companies who hire DOT drivers have been waiting for. The final step in the process is certifying two laboratories to conduct the oral fluid testing. There is not a published timeline for the completion of this process, although we will provide an update once the launch date is announced.
This new ruling will allow employers with DOT-regulated employees to choose between urine or oral fluids testing for pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident and return-to-duty testing. The benefits of oral fluids include:
- Removes issues with shy bladder seen with a urine collection
- Resolves adulteration issues as all testing is observed
- May reduce the time an employee spends at a clinic for a collection and away from the work site
- Resolves observed collection issues, such as gender
Oral fluids testing is a great option for most employers as it measures current usage. Substances are active in the system within 15 minutes to 24 hours, and it also provides a better overall candidate experience. Please note that rapid or instant tests are not permitted for DOT testing, nor are remote or video-witnessed collections.
Whether you are a DOT-regulated employer or not, oral fluids testing is a great option, and we are happy to answer any questions and/or help you get started. Feel free to reach out to info@occuscreen.com