What National Drug Screening Does

National Drug Screening is a third-party company that administers drug tests for employers, landlords, courts, and other organizations. They do not make testing decisions themselves — they collect samples, run them through a lab, and report results to whoever ordered the test. If you have been told to take a drug test through National Drug Screening, you are dealing with their testing process, not a government program.

The company operates testing centers across the United States and also offers mobile testing that comes to a workplace or other location. They handle urine tests, hair tests, saliva tests, and breath alcohol tests. Your employer, landlord, or the court system tells you to use National Drug Screening specifically — you do not choose them on your own.

Understanding how their process works helps you know what to bring, how long results take, and what happens if something goes wrong with your test.

Key Takeaways

  • National Drug Screening is a testing company hired by employers, landlords, and courts — not a government agency — and you take the test at one of their centers or at a location they send someone to.
  • You will need a valid photo ID and should arrive 10 to 15 minutes early; the actual test takes 5 to 10 minutes but the full visit usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Results typically come back within 24 to 48 hours for a standard urine test, though hair tests take longer and rush options exist at higher cost.
  • If your test comes back positive, you have the right to request a confirmation test (called a GC-MS) at the testing center before results go to the person who ordered the test.
  • Bring all documents the organization that ordered your test told you to bring, because National Drug Screening will turn you away if you cannot prove who you are.

Finding a National Drug Screening Location and Scheduling

National Drug Screening has testing centers in most states, though the number and location of centers varies by region. You can find their locations through their website by entering your zip code. Some employers and courts give you a specific center to go to; others let you choose from a list of nearby options.

If your employer or court ordered the test, they should have given you a reference number or authorization code. Have that number ready when you call or visit. Some locations let you walk in without an appointment, but calling ahead to confirm hours and current wait times is faster. Mobile testing — where a technician comes to your workplace — is arranged by the organization that ordered the test, not by you directly.

The organization that told you to take the test should have given you a important date. If they did not, ask them directly. National Drug Screening does not set the important date; the employer, landlord, or court does.

What to Bring and How the Test Works

Bring a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. National Drug Screening will not test you without it. Bring any paperwork the organization that ordered your test gave you, such as a reference number, authorization form, or letter. If you are unsure what to bring, call the testing center the day before and ask.

When you arrive, staff will verify your identity, explain the test procedure, and ask you to sign consent forms. For a urine test, you will go into a private bathroom with a collection cup. The staff member may observe the collection (stand outside the stall or in the room) depending on the type of test and the organization's rules. For a hair test, they will cut a small sample from the back of your head. For a saliva test, you will spit into a container. The actual collection takes 5 to 10 minutes, but the full appointment — including check-in, paperwork, and collection — usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes.

After collection, the sample is sealed, labeled with your information, and sent to a lab. You do not get results directly from National Drug Screening; results go to the organization that ordered the test (your employer, landlord, or court). That organization then tells you the outcome.

How Long Results Take and What Affects the Timeline

Standard urine test results typically come back within 24 to 48 hours. Hair tests take longer — usually 5 to 7 business days — because the lab has to process the sample differently. Saliva tests are usually faster, often within 24 hours. These timelines assume the lab does not find anything that requires further testing.

If your initial test comes back positive, the lab runs a confirmation test (called a GC-MS, or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) to make sure the result is real. That confirmation adds 1 to 3 business days. Rush testing is available at some locations for an extra fee, cutting the timeline in half, but the organization that ordered your test has to request and pay for it.

Weekends and holidays slow results down. A test taken on Friday may not come back until Tuesday or Wednesday. If you have a tight important date, mention it when you schedule or arrive, and ask whether rush processing is an option.

What Happens If Your Test Comes Back Positive

If the initial screening is positive, National Drug Screening automatically sends the sample to a lab for confirmation before telling anyone the result is positive. You have the right to request a confirmation test at the testing center itself — this is called a split sample or a retest. Ask for this when ready after your test if you believe the result will be wrong. Some testing centers allow this; others require you to request it through the organization that ordered the test.

Once the lab confirms a positive result, National Drug Screening reports it to whoever ordered the test. That organization — your employer, landlord, or court — decides what happens next. National Drug Screening does not make that decision. If you believe the test was wrong, you can request a retest at a different lab, but you usually have to pay for it yourself and arrange it quickly (often within 72 hours of the first test).

If you are taking the test for a court order, a positive result goes into the court record. If it is for employment, your employer decides whether to hire you, fire you, or require you to complete a treatment program. If it is for housing, your landlord decides whether to rent to you.

Common Reasons Tests Are Rejected or Delayed

National Drug Screening will not test you without a valid photo ID. If you do not have one, you cannot take the test that day. Bring your ID even if you think the staff will recognize you.

If the sample is not collected properly — for example, if the temperature is wrong or the seal is broken — the lab will reject it and you will have to retake the test. This is rare but happens. If it does, National Drug Screening will contact the organization that ordered your test to arrange a retest, usually at no extra charge to you.

Some medications and foods (like poppy seeds) can cause a positive result on the initial screening, but the confirmation test usually clears this up. If you take prescription medications, bring the bottles with you and tell the staff. This does not stop the test, but it creates a record in case the result is positive.

If you do not show up for your test by the important date, the organization that ordered it will be notified. National Drug Screening does not chase you down; it is your responsibility to schedule and attend.

Your Rights During Testing

You have the right to see the chain of custody form, which tracks your sample from collection to the lab. You have the right to request a confirmation test if the result is positive. You have the right to know what substance the test is looking for — most employer tests look for five common drugs (marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP), but some look for more.

You do not have the right to refuse the test if an employer, court, or landlord has ordered it as a condition of employment, housing, or probation. Refusing usually results in the same consequence as a positive test.

If you believe National Drug Screening made an error — lost your sample, mislabeled it, or violated your privacy — you can file a complaint with them directly. You can also file a complaint with SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), which oversees drug testing standards for federal employees and contractors. For non-federal testing, your state may have its own oversight body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring someone with me to the test?

For the actual collection, no — you will be alone in the bathroom or with only the staff member present. You can bring someone to wait in the lobby, but they cannot go into the collection room. If you need an interpreter or have a disability that requires accommodation, tell National Drug Screening when you schedule so they can arrange it.

What if I take prescription medications?

Bring the prescription bottles with you. Tell the staff what you take before the test. Prescription medications do not automatically disqualify you, but some can show up on a drug test. The confirmation test usually distinguishes between a prescription drug and an illegal one, and the staff member can note your medications on the form.

How much does a National Drug Screening test cost?

The organization that ordered your test pays National Drug Screening, not you. You do not pay out of pocket unless you request a rush test or a retest at your own expense. Ask the organization that ordered your test if you have questions about cost.

Can I see my test results?

Results go to the organization that ordered the test first. That organization then tells you the outcome. You can ask National Drug Screening for a copy of your results, but they may direct you to the organization that ordered the test instead. If you need your results for legal reasons, ask the organization for a certified copy.

What if I fail the test but believe it is wrong?

Request a confirmation test when ready at the testing center if you have not already. If the confirmation also comes back positive and you still believe it is wrong, you can pay for an independent retest at a different lab, but you must do this quickly — usually within 72 hours. Keep all paperwork from National Drug Screening and the original lab in case you need to dispute the result later.