Drug Test Cutoff Levels: SAMHSA Federal Screening and Confirmation Limits
A drug test isn't really a yes/no question. It asks "is there more than X nanograms per milliliter?" That X is the cutoff, and it's the most important number nobody tells you about.
Ad: we may earn a commission if you buy through this link. Information only, not medical or legal advice. Tampering with a drug test can be illegal and usually counts as a refusal. The only sure way to pass is to not use.
Urine cutoffs (HHS Mandatory Guidelines, 2017)
| Drug class | Initial screen (ng/mL) | Confirmatory test (ng/mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Marijuana metabolite (THC-COOH) | 50 | 15 |
| Cocaine metabolite (benzoylecgonine) | 150 | 100 |
| Codeine / morphine | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Hydrocodone / hydromorphone | 300 | 100 |
| Oxycodone / oxymorphone | 100 | 100 |
| 6-acetylmorphine (heroin) | 10 | 10 |
| Amphetamine / methamphetamine | 500 | 250 |
| MDMA / MDA | 500 | 250 |
| PCP | 25 | 25 |
Ad: we may earn a commission if you buy through this link. Information only, not medical or legal advice. Tampering with a drug test can be illegal and usually counts as a refusal. The only sure way to pass is to not use.
Oral fluid cutoffs (HHS Mandatory Guidelines, 2019)
| Drug class | Initial (ng/mL) | Confirmatory (ng/mL) |
|---|---|---|
| THC | 4 | 2 |
| Cocaine / benzoylecgonine | 15 | 8 |
| Codeine / morphine | 30 | 15 |
| 6-AM | 4 | 2 |
| Amphetamine / methamphetamine | 50 | 25 |
| MDMA | 50 | 25 |
| PCP | 3 | 2 |
| Oxycodone / oxymorphone | 30 | 15 |
Sources: SAMHSA, HHS Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Federal Register 2017, urine; 2019, oral fluid). Private employers often copy these numbers, but some labs and home kits use different cutoffs, such as 20 ng/mL for THC.
What this means for you
A lower cutoff catches smaller amounts for longer. A home strip is only useful if you know its cutoff, so check the box. A positive screen is not the final word: in regulated programs it must be confirmed by GC-MS or LC-MS and reviewed by a Medical Review Officer, who'll ask about prescriptions.
Ad: we may earn a commission if you buy through this link. Information only, not medical or legal advice. Tampering with a drug test can be illegal and usually counts as a refusal. The only sure way to pass is to not use.
No product can promise you a pass, and the only certain way is to not use. Tampering with a drug test can be illegal and is usually treated as a refusal. We never help anyone beat DOT, federal, safety-sensitive, or court-ordered tests. If substance use is getting on top of you, call the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline on 1-800-662-4357 (24/7, English and Spanish), or call or text 988 in a crisis. Source: samhsa.gov.