Question 1

Are There Special Storage Requirements For Oral Fluid Samples?

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Question 2

Are Volume Discounts Available for Training?

Accepted Answer

Yes, volume discounts, also known as bulk pricing discounts are available. These apply to both in-person and online training. Online training volume discounts will be automatically applied when the threshold number of credits are added to you online cart. In-person/on-site training discounts are applied when training estimates are provided.

Question 3

How Accurate are DOT Oral Fluid Tests Compared to Urine Tests?

Accepted Answer

The term “accurate” has multiple facets. In terms of reliability, research proves that they are nearly identical in determining the presence of drugs or their metabolites, as the case may be, in a given sample. In terms of determining actual impairment at the time of testing, an oral fluid test’s shorter detection window is more accurate. In terms of whether an individual tested has used a controlled substance over a longer period of time, a urine or hair sample may be more effective.

Question 4

How Accurate is a Non-DOT Oral Fluid Drug Test?

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Question 5

How Accurate is Oral Fluid Drug Testing?

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Question 6

How Does Oral Fluid Testing Cost Compare to Urine Tests?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a drug test is determined by a variety of factors including the volume of tests ordered, the laboratory, the collector, the type of test conducted (i.e. rapid screening or collect-only), and whether a confirmation test and MRO review are required. In addition, its simpler collection process makes in-house testing programs much more attractive and can significantly reduce the cost of testing–having an on-site safety officer conduct a reasonable suspicion oral fluid collection may eliminate the need for a third party collection site and collector, significantly reducing the per-test cost for testing as well as eliminating the need to take an employee to a secondary facility or call out a mobile collector to conduct the test. However, all other factors being the same, the cost of an oral fluid drug test at the laboratory remains on average slightly higher than that of urine.

Question 7

How is Employee Privacy Maintained with Oral Fluid Testing?

Accepted Answer

Significant concerns and litigation arise from questions of employee privacy rights and potential violations of such privacy in drug tests. The United States Supreme Court recognized that submitting a sample from your body, whether blood, urine, saliva, or otherwise is considered an intrusion on privacy interests. However, this interest is often justified in light of the employer’s (and the government’s, in certain mandated testing programs) own interests in maintaining a healthy and safe work environment. Urine tests remain controversial when directly observed, meaning that the collector watches firsthand the employee providing the sample from his or her body. For urine, this means that the collector must be the same gender because the donor, the employee tested, must expose genitalia for this to be accomplished. However, with oral fluid, the collector is able to observe the entire collection and never go further than inspecting the inside of the donor’s mouth, significantly reducing the risk of a privacy violation.

Question 8

How to Become a Specimen Collector for DOT Oral Fluid?

Accepted Answer

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) sets forth the requirements for collectors to qualify to collect oral fluid samples from DOT-covered employees subject to drug testing under the 49 C.F.R. § 40.35. This includes Basic Information, Qualification Training, and Initial Proficiency Demonstrations by a qualified trainer utilizing the device to be used in the field. All three training requirements must be met in order for anyone to be qualified to conduct DOT Oral Fluid Collections.

Question 9

How to Prepare for an Oral Fluid Drug Test?

Accepted Answer

As a donor, there is very little needed to “prepare” for the test. However, you must not bring anything that could be used to adulterate or tamper with your sample into the collection facility, you should refrain from eating or drinking or putting anything in your mouth prior to the test including gum, chewing tobacco, food, or otherwise. As a collector, you are required to prepare for the collection in advance, providing a safe and secure environment for collection and maintaining chain of custody. More on these requirements are provided in the course.

Question 10

Is Oral Fluid a Biohazard?

Accepted Answer

Generally, oral fluid, also known as saliva, is not considered a biohazard. However, if the sample is visually contaminated with blood, the saliva may nevertheless be considered a biohazard. Individuals exposed to the saliva of another person should immediately clean the area with soap and water.

Question 11

Is The DOT Going to Allow Saliva Drug Tests

Accepted Answer

The DOT currently allows for saliva drug tests, known as oral fluid drug tests. These tests require the certification of at least two laboratories by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for initial and confirmatory drug tests. Once certified, employers are not only allowed, but in some instances mandated to use oral fluid as a testing mode for its employees.

Question 12

Is There a Risk of Aulteration With Oral Fluid Tests?

Accepted Answer

There is always a risk of adulteration or tampering with any sample collected. Adulteration may be unintentional or deliberate, but may ultimately affect the validity of the end-result so several safeguards are in place for the entire process from initial collection to laboratory testing. These include preventing the donor from putting objects, food, gum, liquids, or other potential adulterants in his or her mouth for a mandated time period prior to collection as well as chain of custody protocols during collection, shipment, and laboratory testing. Many experts believe that the risk of intentional adulteration is significantly less with oral fluid than urine, as the entire process is directly observed by the collector.

Question 13

Required Certifications for DOT Oral Fluid?

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Question 14

What are DOT Oral Fluid Mock Collections?

Accepted Answer

Mock Collections is a term that refers to the third and final portion of training to become a qualified DOT Oral Fluid Collector, also referred to as initial proficiency demonstrations. These are required by the United States Department of Transportation under 49 C.F.R. § 40.35 and must include the collector completing the five specific, error-free scenarios enumerated in the regulations. Specifically, the regulations indicate:The five mock collections for each device must include: one uneventful collection scenario, one insufficient specimen quantity scenario; one scenario in which the employee has something in their mouth that might interfere with the collection; one scenario in which the employee attempts to tamper with the specimen; and one scenario in which the employee refuses to sign the CCF. For each of the five mock collections, the collector must check the expiration date of the device, show it to the employee, and record the date on the CCF used. The collector must ensure, when applying the labels, they do not cover the expiration dates.”

Question 15

What are the Disadvantages of Oral Fluid Testing?

Accepted Answer

Oral Fluid Testing has a shorter detection window than most other drug testing modes. Most research places the detection window between 24 and 48 hours of use for most controlled substances, whereas, for example, THC metabolites may detected in urine for up to 30 days after use with habitual users. While this may appear to be a disadvantage, its shorter detection time assists employers with identifying whether the individual tested was actually impaired at the time of testing or whether the individual merely had residual metabolites in his or her system at the time of testing. However, when testing an individual to determine whether, over a longer period of prior time, the individual, for example, maintained sobriety and refrained from illicit drug use near the end of an employee assistance program, then urine or even hair may be more appropriate.

Question 16

What are the DOT Rules for Drug Testing?

Accepted Answer

The DOT drug testing rules are centrally codified in the 49 CFR Part 40: Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs. However, each DOT sub agency has its own individual rules regarding drug and alcohol testing including reasons for testing, random testing requirements, and post-accident testing procedures.

Question 17

What Are The Three Main Body Fluids Tested for Drugs?

Accepted Answer

The most commonly tested body fluids for drugs include hair, saliva/oral fluid, and urine. While urine testing remains the most popular in the United States, oral fluid has grown to overtake a considerable market share of testing and continues to increase as a less-invasive alternative to urine testing, particularly in states where marijuana has been legalized medically or recreationally.

Question 18

What Benefits Does Oral Fluid Testing Have Over Urine Testing?

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Question 19

What Devices Are Needed for Oral Fluid Testing?

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Question 20

What is a Non-DOT Drug Test?

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Question 21

What is The Cost For Oral Fluid Collector Training?

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Question 22

What is The Procedure for Oral Fluid Collection?

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Question 23

What Types of Drugs do Oral Fluid Test Detect?

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Question 24

What's the Drug Detection Window for Oral Fluid Tests?

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