What Labcorp Does and Why Employers Use Them
Labcorp is one of the largest clinical laboratory networks in the United States. They perform drug tests for employers, healthcare providers, government agencies, and individuals. When an employer orders a drug test, they often contract with Labcorp to collect the sample, run the analysis, and report the results back.
Labcorp operates thousands of patient service centers across the country where you can walk in for a drug test without an appointment at many locations. They handle the full process: checking your ID, collecting your sample, documenting the chain of custody, and sending results to whoever ordered the test. If you've been told to get tested at Labcorp, you're going to one of these centers, not a hospital or doctor's office.
The company uses standardized testing methods and is regulated by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), which means their procedures and accuracy are subject to federal oversight. This matters because it means the test results are legally defensible if they're used in court or for employment decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Labcorp has thousands of locations nationwide where you can get tested, and many accept walk-ins without scheduling ahead.
- You'll need a valid government-issued ID and the test order or requisition form from your employer or the organization that requested the test.
- The sample collection process takes 10 to 15 minutes, and results typically come back within 24 to 72 hours depending on the type of test.
- If your initial test comes back positive, Labcorp performs a confirmation test at no extra charge before reporting the result to your employer.
- You can find your nearest Labcorp location and check hours on their website or by calling their patient service line.
Finding a Labcorp Location Near You
Labcorp's website has a location finder where you can enter your zip code and see all nearby patient service centers. The search results show hours, whether the location accepts walk-ins, and which services are available at each site. Some locations are full-service labs that handle all test types; others are smaller collection-only sites.
If you don't have internet access, you can call Labcorp's main patient service line to find a location and ask about hours. Many centers are open early morning through evening on weekdays and have limited weekend hours. If your employer gave you a specific location or requisition form, that form usually lists the address and phone number of the center where you're supposed to go.
What to Bring and How the Collection Works
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You'll also need the test order or requisition form from your employer or the organization that ordered the test. This form tells Labcorp what type of test to run and where to send the results. If you don't have the form, call the number on your order or contact your employer's HR department to get it before you go.
When you arrive, you'll check in at the front desk. A phlebotomist or collection specialist will verify your identity, confirm the test type, and take you to a collection area. For a urine drug test, you'll be given a cup and directed to a bathroom. For a hair test, they'll cut a small sample from your scalp. For a saliva test, you'll provide a sample in a cup. The whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes.
The collector documents everything — your name, ID number, the date, the time, and their initials — to create what's called a chain of custody. This record proves the sample came from you and was handled properly. If the results are ever questioned, this documentation is what makes them legally valid.
Types of Drug Tests Labcorp Offers
The most common test is the 5-panel urine test, which screens for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP. A 10-panel test adds benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, propoxyphene, and quaaludes. Some employers order a 12-panel test that includes additional substances.
Labcorp also performs hair tests, which can detect drug use over a longer window — typically 90 days — compared to urine tests, which usually show use within the past few days. Saliva tests are less common but are sometimes used because they're harder to cheat. Blood tests are available but are usually ordered only for specific situations like post-accident testing or medical monitoring.
Your employer or the organization that ordered the test decides which type you'll take. You don't get to choose. If you're unsure which test you're supposed to have, check your test order or call your employer before you go to Labcorp.
How Long Results Take and What Happens Next
Labcorp typically reports results within 24 to 72 hours, though some locations can turn around results faster. The results go directly to the employer or organization that ordered the test, not to you. Your employer will contact you with the outcome.
If your test comes back negative, that's the end of the process. If it comes back positive for a substance, Labcorp automatically performs a confirmation test using a different method (usually gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, or GC-MS) at no extra charge to you. This confirmation step is required by federal regulations and protects you from a false positive. The confirmation test takes a few extra days, but the result is more reliable.
If the confirmation is also positive, Labcorp reports that to your employer. Some employers have a medical review officer (MRO) — a licensed physician — who contacts you to ask whether you have a prescription or medical reason for the substance. You have the right to explain your result before your employer makes any decision.
What to Know About Accuracy and False Positives
Labcorp's tests are highly accurate, especially after the confirmation step. However, false positives can happen. Certain foods (like poppy seed bagels), over-the-counter medications, and prescription drugs can trigger a positive result on the initial screening. This is why the confirmation test exists — it's much more specific and weeds out most false positives.
If you take any prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs, tell the collection specialist before your test. Write down the names and dosages. If you get a positive result and you have a prescription for that substance, you can provide that prescription to your employer or the medical review officer as proof. The MRO will consider whether your prescription explains the positive result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I schedule a Labcorp drug test online or do I have to walk in?
Many Labcorp locations accept walk-ins, but some require an appointment. Check the location finder on Labcorp's website or call ahead to confirm whether your nearest center takes walk-ins. If you have a test order from your employer, that form may specify whether you need an appointment.
What if I don't have my test order form when I go to Labcorp?
Call your employer's HR department or the organization that ordered the test and ask them to email or fax the requisition to Labcorp before you arrive. You can also ask Labcorp to contact your employer directly to verify the order. Without the order, they won't know what test to run or where to send the results.
How long does a drug test at Labcorp take?
The actual collection process takes 10 to 15 minutes. Check-in and paperwork may add another 5 to 10 minutes depending on how busy the location is. Results come back to your employer within 24 to 72 hours, though confirmation tests take longer.
Will Labcorp tell me my results?
No. Labcorp reports results only to the employer or organization that ordered the test. Your employer will contact you with the outcome. You can ask your employer for a copy of your results, and they should provide one.
What happens if I test positive?
Labcorp will run a confirmation test automatically. If that's also positive, the result goes to your employer. Many employers use a medical review officer who will contact you to ask about prescriptions or medical reasons for the positive result before your employer takes any action.