FAQs - Drug Screening & Occupational Health

Where can I find the expiration date on a scheduled test for my applicants? 

Expiration dates are listed on the form (ePassport) that is provided to the applicant/employee through email once the test is scheduled through the Verified First portal. The Passport is also attached to the appropriate file via the Verified First portal under the “File attachment” section. 

Can I change the default expiration timeline for an order? 

Verified First can update the default expiration time frame and set a 'cap' to limit how far Users can set an expiration. Please call our client services department at 844-709-2708 if you need to update an expiration date. 

Where can I find the drug ePassport/Registration form?

Vendor	Description	Visual
Quest	The form (Also known as an electronic Passport) is emailed to the applicant & File Orderer once the order is placed via the Verified First portal. In addition, the Passport will be added to the file as a file attachment in the Verified First Portal to be downloaded or resent. The Passport will be titled “Applicants Name - Drug Screening Passport” for Quest orders.
eScreen	The form (Also known as an electronic Passport) is emailed to the applicant & File Orderer. In addition, the Passport will be added to the file as a file attachment in the Verified First Portal to be downloaded or resent. The Passport will be titled “ePassport (Date/Time order was created)”
LabCorp Drug Screening	The form (Also known as an electronic Passport) is emailed to the applicant & File Orderer. In addition, the Passport will be added to the file as a file attachment in the Verified First Portal to be downloaded or resent. The Passport will be titled “Applicants Name - ePassport”
LabCorp Wellness	The form (Also known as a Requisition Form) is emailed to the applicant & File Orderer. In addition, the Requisition Form will be added to the file as a file attachment in the Verified First Portal to be downloaded or resent. The Form will be titled “Applicants Name - Requisition Form”
Formfox	The form (Also known as an electronic Passport) is emailed to the applicant & File Orderer. In addition, the Passport will be added to the file as a file attachment in the Verified First Portal to be downloaded or resent. The Passport will be titled “Applicants Name - ePassport”

How do I check the current status of my applicant's drug screen/occupational health order? 

Click on “View Report” on the file within the Verified First Portal or Extension to review the file and check for statuses.

If there is a status, this means the applicant has gone in for the test. 
If there is no status, this means the passport has not been scanned in/the applicant has not gone in for the test at this time. 

The file will remain in a 'pending' status until final results are available.

In addition, any File Owner and Subscriber(s) who have the correct permissions will receive an email when an update is provided
If need be, please contact Verified First Client Services at 844-709-2708 for a status update. 

What do each of the pending statuses of a Drug Test mean? 

Can orders expire over the weekend?

Yes, this is because some clinics are open on the weekends. However, business day expirations can be toggled off/on to exclude weekends.
These settings can be modified by reaching out to Verified First Client Services.
In addition, the orderer also has the option to select “Business days only” when ordering through the Verified First Portal for Formfox & Labcorp Drug Screenings.  

How do I change the collection site for my applicants?

What happens if there are no clinics in the zip code requested?
Contact the Verified First Client Services team at 844-709-2708 to help assist you look for alternative options (If available). 

 Will I be billed for expired/canceled drug screens? 

What is the average turnaround time for results on a Drug Screen?
Neither the lab nor the Verified First Drug Screening team can provide an exact ETA on a Drug Screen. 
The typical TAT (Turnaround time) of a specimen from being received at the laboratory is 24-72 hours or 3 business days (Excludes weekends and Holidays)
Please also note that if the specimen goes into secondary testing, it can take an additional 5-7 business days (Excludes weekends and Holidays)

Delays in results can occur due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. 

While the Drug Screening team is unable to expedite the release of results from the laboratory, we actively monitor the status/result and will inform you of any potential delays from our vendors.

 

Does a parent/guardian need to be present when an applicant (who is minor) performs a Drug Screen? What is needed when the applicant is a minor? 

Due to the legal requirements for employment drug testing, particularly for minors, they can vary by state. In many states, employers are obligated to obtain parental/guardian consent before conducting drug tests on minors, considering privacy and the fact that minors generally cannot enter into legal or binding agreements. 

Parents/guardians of minors should ideally be fully informed about the nature of a drug test, the reasons for its implementation, and the potential consequences of failing the test. 

For these types of inquiries, it's always best for the client to refer to their legal counsel for guidance. We also recommend the parent/guardian be available in the event they are required to be present to prevent any unnecessary delays.

Where can I find a collection site for my Labcorp Wellness event? I cannot see it on the requisition form you provided.
 

A Requisition Form (The form the applicant takes with them to the clinic) is sent via email to the applicant and orderer for a Labcorp Wellness event. In the email, Verified First also supplies a link to search for collection sites nearest the candidate. To find a clinic for a Labcorp Wellness order, please click here. 

What is an observed collection?
 

Observed (DOT)

Required for federally regulated employees (DOT) whose specimen is:

• Temperature out of range
• Invalid without medical explanation
• Negative dilute with creatinine ≥ 2 mg/DL and ≤ 5 mg/DL
• Failure to reconfirm because split specimen is not available for testing
• Failure to reconfirm where Part 40 specifies that an “observed collection” must be conducted.
• Return to Duty and Follow-Up tests

Observed (NON-DOT)

Non-Regulated Employees:

• Employers may choose to run an Observed drug test for NON-DOT employees for a number of different reasons. Employers should refer to their policies and procedures before ordering an Observed drug test for Non-Regulated employees.

Who orders the “Observed” collection?

Why was my applicant/employee’s result canceled per the MRO/Invalid?

Canceled per MRO (Invalid Result from Lab) is when the specimen has abnormal physical characteristics, or has an endogenous substance at an abnormal concentration that prevents the laboratory from completing or obtaining a valid drug test result)

• Abnormal pH (≥ 4 and < 4.5, ≥ 9 and < 11)
• Possible Oxidant Activity
• Immunoassay Interference
• GC/MS Interference or LCMS Interference
• Abnormal Physical Characteristic
• Bottle A & Bottle B - Different Physical Characteristic
• Adulterated/Substituted

Where can I find the Occupational Health results in the Verified First Portal? (Physicals, TB Tests, X-Rays)
 

Once the test results are in, the final disposition is available by selecting “View Report” on the file via the Verified First portal. 

For more detailed information, the full report is attached securely in the MRO Result Detail section. Only users with select permissions can view these reports.

What are some of the possible delays in the results of my applicant’s/employee’s occupational health test? 

What is the Verified Firsts process for pending results?
When a service is delayed for 3 or more business days, the Verified First Drug Screening team will attempt to call the clinic to retrieve the results. 

The Verified First Drug Screening team makes a certain amount of attempts each day to retrieve the fully completed result document, however, clinics can be unresponsive to our requests. 

If we are unable to retrieve the result, the result will be closed by the vendor and the file will update letting you know that we could not retrieve the results.  

Additionally, if the applicant has received the full results from the clinic, they can be faxed or emailed over to us. Please call our client services team at 844-709-2708

Where is my employee/applicant’s DOT Medical card? Verified First does not receive DOT Medical cards. The employee/applicant will receive their DOT Medical card directly from the clinic upon completion/pass of the physical exam. 

What are the DOT physical exam requirements?

Medical history review

• A certified medical examiner (CME) will review your medical history. 

Physical examination

A CME will perform a hands-on exam that includes checking your: 

• Height and weight 
• Blood pressure and pulse rate 
• Vision, including a 20/40 vision test for each eye and a color test 
• Hearing, including the ability to hear a forced whisper from at least 5 feet away 
• Reflexes 
• Gait 
• Other systems, including your heart, lungs, chest, abdomen, back, spine, and nervous system 

Urinalysis

• A medical professional will analyze your urine to check for conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely (please note: this is separate from a DOT urine drug screen and is NOT sent to the lab for testing)

Medical examiner's certificate (MEC)

• If you meet all the requirements, you will receive an MEC, also known as a DOT medical card. 

A DOT physical is required to obtain or renew a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Passing the exam helps ensure that drivers meet the health and safety standards needed to prevent accidents and injuries.

DOT Medical Exam and Commercial Motor Vehicle Certification

About the Exam:

A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination must be conducted by a licensed "medical examiner" listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry.  The term includes, but is not limited to, doctors of medicine (MD), doctors of osteopathy (DO), physician assistants (PA), advanced practice nurses (APN), and doctors of chiropractic (DC).

A DOT physical exam is valid for up to 24 months. The medical examiner may also issue a medical examiner's certificate for less than 24 months when it is desirable to monitor a condition, such as high blood pressure.

Recordkeeping:

If the medical examiner finds that the person he/she examined is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), the medical examiner will furnish one copy of the results to the person who was examined and complete a Medical Examiner's Certificate.

DOT Physical form example

What are the Non-DOT physical exam requirements?

Non-DOT physical exam typically includes a review of medical history, vital signs measurement (blood pressure, heart rate), a physical examination assessing overall health, vision and hearing tests, and may also include additional tests depending on the specific job requirements, such as musculoskeletal evaluations, drug screening, or lung function tests, all aimed at evaluating an employee's fitness for their job duties without the strict DOT regulations for commercial drivers. 

Key components of a non-DOT physical exam:

• Medical history review: A thorough review of past and present medical conditions, medications, and surgeries. 
• Vital signs: Measuring blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. 
• Physical examination: Assessing general health including skin, lymph nodes, abdomen, and musculoskeletal system. 
• Vision and hearing tests: Evaluating visual acuity and hearing ability based on job demands. 
• Musculoskeletal assessment: Evaluating range of motion, strength, and flexibility depending on the physical requirements of the job. 

Factors influencing non-DOT physical exam specifics:

• Job demands: The specific physical requirements of the job will determine which tests are most relevant, like lifting capacity or manual dexterity. 
• Company policy: Each company may have its own standards for non-DOT physicals, including additional tests or screening criteria. 

Important points to remember about non-DOT physicals: 

Not regulated by DOT

• Unlike a DOT physical, a non-DOT physical is not subject to the same strict regulations set by the Department of Transportation. 

May include drug testing:

• Depending on the company policy, a non-DOT physical may include a drug screening (please note: this is separate from a non-DOT urine drug screen and is NOT sent to the lab for testing)

non-DOT Physical form example

If you have any further questions, or need a product enabled on your account, 
please contact Verified First Client Services for assistance.

Call 844-709-2708 or email ClientServices@VerifiedFirst.com