What is on a 5-panel drug test?
The standard 5-panel drug test covers THC, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines/methamphetamine, and PCP. It mirrors the legacy federal "SAMHSA-5" composition and is the most common workplace screen in private-sector U.S. employment. For DOT-regulated employees, see the DOT 5-panel, which has been expanded since July 7, 2025 to include fentanyl and norfentanyl.
What's in a 5-panel
Cutoff levels
A "cutoff" is the analyte concentration at or above which a sample is reported as Non-negative . The screening cutoff (immunoassay) is set higher than the confirmation cutoff (mass spectrometry) because screening is less specific. The federal Mandatory Guidelines define the cutoffs below; most private-sector 5-panels follow them.
| Analyte | Screen | Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| THC-COOH (cannabinoid metabolite) | 50 ng/mL | 15 ng/mL |
| Benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite) | 150 ng/mL | 100 ng/mL |
| Opiates (morphine, codeine) | 2000 ng/mL | 2000 ng/mL |
| Amphetamine / methamphetamine | 500 ng/mL | 250 ng/mL |
| Phencyclidine (PCP) | 25 ng/mL | 25 ng/mL |
5-panel vs DOT 5-panel
The two are not the same. Both contain THC, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP, but the DOT 5-panel is federally regulated under 49 CFR Part 40, follows SAMHSA-certified laboratory procedures, and as of July 7, 2025 includes fentanyl and norfentanyl. A private-sector "5-panel" follows the same legacy composition but is not subject to federal procedural mandates and may use different cutoffs or analytes depending on the employer's program.
Who uses the 5-panel
- Private-sector employers for pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, and post-accident testing.
- Background-check vendors as the default consumer-facing configuration.
- Court-ordered or probation testing in jurisdictions that follow the legacy composition (varies).
Result interpretation
A 5-panel screen is interpreted in two steps: an immunoassay screening result and, if non-negative, a confirmation test by GC-MS or LC-MS/MS. A Medical Review Officer (MRO) reviews any non-negative confirmation result with the donor to identify any legitimate medical explanation (e.g., a prescription) before reporting a verified result to the employer.
Cannabis in restricted jurisdictions
Several U.S. states and municipalities now restrict employers from making employment decisions based on a positive cannabis test (subject to safety-sensitive and federal-contractor exceptions). In those jurisdictions, employers sometimes use a 4-panel that omits THC. See our cannabis & state law reference for the broader regulatory landscape.
Frequently asked questions
The standard 5-panel covers THC, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines/methamphetamine, and PCP. It mirrors the legacy federal panel composition and is the most common workplace drug screen.
The "5-panel" itself is a common-practice configuration. The DOT 5-panel — used for federally regulated transportation employees — is a regulated panel and as of July 7, 2025 includes fentanyl and norfentanyl.
Sources & references
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