Find information on mandatory guidelines, drug testing, and other resources for drug-free workplace programs.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Mandatory Guidelines
The comprehensive Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program addresses illicit drug use by federal employees.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), by authority of Section 503 of Public Law 100-71 (PDF | 31 KB) 5 U.S.C. Section 7301 and Executive Order 12564, establishes the scientific and technical guidelines for federal workplace drug-testing programs. HHS also establishes standards for certified labs that conduct urine drug-testing for federal agencies.
Urine
The revised Urine Mandatory Guidelines became effective October 1, 2017. See the final guidelines and revisions below:
- Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Program: Final Rule, Federal Register, 82 FR 7920 – 2017
- The Revised Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing using Urine FAQs (PDF | 148 KB)
- Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs: Correction, Federal Register, 73 FR 75122 – 2008 (PDF | 13 KB)
- Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs: Final Notice of Revisions, Federal Register, 73 FR 71858 – 2008
Oral
The Oral Fluid Mandatory Guidelines became effective January 1, 2020.
HHS Proposed Mandatory Guidelines
- Notice of Proposed Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs, 85 FR 56108, Hair – 9/10/2020
- Notice of Proposed Revisions to the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs, 94 FR 28101, Urine – 2015
- Notice of Proposed Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs, 94 FR 28054, Oral Fluid – 2015
Drug-testing Resources
The following sections provide links to resources related to drug-testing program management, specimen collection, certified laboratories, and certified medical review officers (MCOs).
Employer Resources
The Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) and the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (SAPPA) provide information, education, and training for managing drug-testing programs in the workplace.
SAMHSA also provides guidance on selecting or reviewing positions designated for random testing under the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program:
2013 Guidance for Selection of Testing Designated Positions (TDPs) – (PDF | 262 KB)
Specimen Collection Resources
- Urine Specimen Collection Handbook – 2017 (PDF | 462 KB)
- Collection Site Checklist for the Collection of Urine Specimens – 2017 (PDF | 657 KB)
- Collection Site Manual for the Collection of Urine Specimens;– 2017 (PDF | 648 KB)
- Collection Site Checklist for the Collection of Urine Specimens – 2010 (PDF | 178 KB, DOC | 112 KB)
- Collection Site Manual for the Collection of Urine Specimens – 2010 (PDF | 314 KB, DOC | 111 KB)
- Urine Specimen Collection Handbook – 2015 (PDF | 89 KB)
Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF)
Use the Federal Custody and Control Form to collect urine specimens for federally regulated programs.
- 2020 Federal Custody and Control Form for Urine and Oral Fluid Specimens (PDF | 1 MB)
- 2020 Guidance for Using the Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF) for Urine Specimens (PDF | 192 KB)
- 2017 Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF) for Urine Specimens (PDF | 640 KB)
- Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF) from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
- Instructions for Completing the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form for Urine Specimen Collection (PDF | 126 KB)
- Guidance for Using the 2017 Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF) for Urine Specimens (PDF | 77 KB)
- 2014 Federal Custody and Control Form from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
- Guidance for Using the 2014 Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF) for Urine Specimens – 2014 (PDF | 104 KB)
- Federal eCCF: HHS/NLCP Oversight and Requirements (PDF | 28 KB)
- 2014 Federal eCCF from the OMB Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (Notice of Approval, May 31, 2014)
- Instructions for Completing the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form for Oral Fluid Specimen Collection (PDF |146 KB)
Drug Testing Advisory Board (DTAB)
DTAB provides advice to SAMHSA on its drug-testing activities and laboratory certification program.
Laboratory Testing Resources
- 2017 Revised Fee Schedule Notice (PDF | 185 KB)
- National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) – 2013 (PDF | 18 KB)
- 2011 NLCP Fee Schedule (PDF | 41 KB)
- Drug Cutoff Concentrations (PDF | 45 KB)
- Suppliers of Blind Quality Control (QC) Urine Samples – 2012 (PDF | 45 KB)
- Anomalous Results for 6-Acetylmorphine - 2011 (PDF | 33 KB)
- Laboratories Offering K2/Spice Testing (PDF | 18.9 KB)
Medical Review Officer (MRO) Resources
Medical review officers (MROs) are licensed physicians responsible for receiving and reviewing laboratory results for drug testing.