West Virginia Drug Testing - USA Mobile Drug Testing

Last updated : December 16, 2024

We’ve got you covered with thousands of West Virginia drug testing locations.
We also provide all types of employee drug testing.

Pre-employment
Random
DOT
Reasonable suspicion
Post-accident
Return to duty
Probation drug testing

We offer a variety of standard test panels, such as the 5 panel, 9, 10, or 12 panel drug tests to aid employers who choose more comprehensive testing. We use the latest drug testing technology available in the industry. Furthermore, all our labs are SAMHSA certified as required by West Virginia’s Drug-Free Workplace program.

Call us at 800-851-2021 to schedule a West Virginia drug test now!

Instant Testing	Random Testing	Medical Marijuana	Recreational Marijuana

West Virginia drug testing locations

Don’t worry if your city isn’t listed. Just call 800-851-2021. We’ll be happy to assist you in finding a location nearby. However—and we’re sure to mention it during the conversation—you might decide to have us come to you instead.

That’s right. You’ll never have to search for “drug testing near me” again! We’ll send a mobile collection specialist to your location, anywhere throughout the state— 24/7/365.

Employees on the job site? We’ll find them.

Night shift coming due for the annual fitness-for-duty drug test? Why not have us show up during their shift rather than interrupting their sleep schedule to report for testing during normal business hours? The phrase “drug testing near me” takes on an entirely new meaning when the test rolls right up to your location, doesn’t it?

We offer employee education classes, management training, and DOT services. We can also create your company’s drug-free program. We’ll even customize your policies to specifically meet the needs of your business.

West Virginia drug testing laws

Before the West Virginia Safer Workplace Act, otherwise known as the Act, West Virginia had taken a dim view of drug testing seeing it more as an unwarranted invasion of privacy. But after July 2017, employers were free to drug test their employees.

West Virginia allows drug testing for the following substances:

Amphetamines
Cannabinoids
Cocaine
Opiates
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Benzodiazepines
Propoxyphene
Methadone
Barbiturates
Expanded synthetic opiates

If an employee tests positive, employers may take action by refusing to hire, requiring rehabilitation, or terminating employment.

Before employee drug testing begins, all drug-free policies and procedures must be documented in writing. Any employee subject to drug testing must be informed by receiving a written copy of the company policy. Employees have the opportunity to notify the employer of any current or recent prescription drug use before they are tested. However, should they test positive it does not protect them from the use of prescription medication—even if has actually been prescribed by a physician.

The use of oral fluids or hair follicle tests is restricted. The urine test is the only drug test accepted by the state. Blood testing is also accepted, however, rarely used due to the expense. Instant drug testing is not allowed. All drug testing must be conducted using a SAMHSA-certified laboratory.

Types of workplace drug testing

West Virginia allows the following types of employee drug testing:

Pre-employment

Employers may drug test job applicants. A failed drug test, of course, means they won’t be going to work for the company.

Reasonable Suspicion

Drug tests must be conducted following any observed behavior creating “reasonable suspicion.” These behaviors must be clearly defined in the policy. Some examples of reasonable suspicion might include:

Direct observation of drug or alcohol use, or the symptoms of being under the influence of a drug or alcohol.
Abnormal behavior while at work or a significant deterioration in work performance. Such behaviors should be properly documented in the event that an employee contests the accusation.
A report of drug use is provided by a reliable and credible source.
Evidence that an individual has tampered with a drug test while working for you.
Information that an employee has caused or been involved in an accident while at work.
Evidence that an employee has used, possessed, sold, or solicited drugs while working or while on the employer’s premises or while operating the employer’s vehicle or equipment.
If the testing is conducted on a “reasonable suspicion” basis, the employer must promptly record the circumstances which formed the basis of the determination that reasonable suspicion existed to warrant the testing. Any documentation the employers have noted about an employee’s behavior must also be provided to the employee upon request.

Random drug testing

The state restricts random drug testing. Employers may not randomly drug test their employees unless safety concerns in the workplace are an issue.

Post-accident testing

This type of drug testing may only be completed after a workplace accident occurs if the employer has a reasonable suspicion of intoxication or impairment.

Why have a drug-free workplace policy?

Studies have shown that a well-planned program reduces substance abuse and can increase productivity, reduce accidents, and decrease costs due to insurance claims. Moreover, all employees become more aware of the importance of safety in the workplace. Therefore, everyone benefits from a safer work environment.

An employer implementing this program will also receive additional benefits:

If an employee incurs a work-related injury and refuses to take a drug test when requested, the injured employee may forfeit eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of the cause of the accident.
An employee who loses a job or is denied employment as a result of a positive drug/alcohol test, may not qualify for unemployment compensation benefits. In that case, the contributory employer could be relieved of charges in connection with the unemployment claim.
If drugs are found in the employee’s system at or above threshold levels, the injured employee may not be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This applies to employers who are certified and in compliance with the program. If the employer is not certified as a drug-free workplace, and the injured employee is able to show that the cause of the accident was not related to the presence of drugs in his or her system, he or she may still be entitled to benefits.

Marijuana laws

Medical marijuana was legalized in West Virginia on April 19, 2017. Patients must have a qualifying medical marijuana card to purchase medication from state-licensed dispensaries. Employers are prohibited from terminating or denying employment solely based on medical marijuana use. However, they may prohibit an employee from any job “which could result in a public health or safety risk while under the influence of medical cannabis.”

Recreational marijuana remains illegal in West Virginia.

Drug testing methods

There are three primary methods used for employee drug testing.

Hair follicle
Urine
Mouth swab tests

It’s also possible to drug test employees using a blood test, however, it’s extremely rare. They’re expensive, extremely intrusive, and must be performed by trained medical personnel under proper medical conditions. Blood tests may be named for post-accident testing, however, as they identify the parent drug and, therefore, can determine current impairment. This is useful information for investigators trying to determine the accident’s cause and who’s responsible.

All test samples, meaning hair, urine, and saliva, undergo an immunoassay (IA) test first. Subsequently, those testing positive go on for a second test to confirm the results. The gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) test identifies the drug level contained in the specimen as well.

Mouth swab test

The use of the mouth swab drug test. is dependent upon employer policy in West Virginia.

Mouth swab drug tests identify recent drug use. The detection period begins just minutes after use in most cases and, depending on the drug, identifies drugs in the system for up to 72 hours prior to the test.

It’s impossible to fake these test results. The employee is unable to switch the sample as they never leave the administrator’s sight. Moreover, products claiming to “detoxify” the system are misrepresenting themselves because the body naturally cleanses itself at its own pace. Lastly, there’s no way to strip the drug metabolites from the saliva.

Urine test

The urine drug test is the approved employee drug testing method in the state of West Virginia.

By far, the most widely used drug test on the market is the urine test. They’re cost-effective, accurate, and, to be honest, although considered intrusive, they’re the ones employees expect upon learning there will be “a test.”

The range of detection varies from within a few hours of use up to a few days or weeks, depending on the drug itself. Heavy marijuana users, however, may test positive for over thirty days.

Employers receive results in less than a week.

Hair follicle drug test

Use of the hair follicle drug test is based on employer preference in the state of West Virginia.

The hair follicle drug test affords employers the longest detection period justifying its cost for many employers. This test identifies any drug use for ninety days. There’s no limit as to the length of time the hair test identifies drug use.

Drug metabolites store themselves all over the body until excreted. Those stored in the hair follicle don’t get too far away. They grow out into the hair shaft infusing themselves with the hair. Consequently, they remain there leaving a permanent record of drug use.

Human hair grows about half an inch every month. Hair samples are cut to a standard test length of one and one-half inches, thus, establishing the ninety-day window.

There are instances when a court order requests a longer period of detection. Laboratories can easily accommodate the request by increasing the length of the hair sample.

It takes about a week to receive results.

Drug identification

USA Mobile Drug Testing uses the above methods to identify all types of drugs. Unless regulated by the DOT or some other entity, employers are free to choose the drugs included in the company drug test.

We identify amphetamines and methamphetamines within our amphetamine test panel. THC identifies medical marijuana users and even CBD use when the product contains high levels of THC hidden within them due to poor extraction processes.

However, the opiate panel does not identify synthetic opioids, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. Employers can add an extended opiate panel to the test to identify them though.

We also have the capability to identify “specialty” drugs, like bath salts or steroids, for instance. We have a panel to identify synthetic marijuana too.

Detection windows

We’ve established that the amount of time that a drug remains in the system is dependent on the drug itself. Subsequently, even those detection windows vary.

So, why is that?

Several factors play a part in the length of time that specific drugs can be identified in the body.

Genetics—The speed at which your body metabolizes everything is unique to your genetic makeup. Therefore, our DNA has everything to do with it.
Dosage and frequency—It makes sense that the amount of drug ingested and how often it’s taken determine the amount of time it remains in the system. For example, someone who uses drugs once in a great while versus someone with an addiction.
Body Mass Index—Your height, weight, and fat cell ratio play a part in how and where drug metabolites are stored. For instance, heavier people may retain drug metabolites in the system longer because those stored in fat cells take longer to clear.
Age—Younger people tend to metabolize things faster than older people.

DOT Information

The Department of Transportation was created to ensure the general public’s right to safe passage. It regulates the industries that transport people and products.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Transit Administration
United States Coastguard
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Part of the regulations includes employee drug testing.

DOT drug test

It won’t be much longer and the DOT will be changing from the urine drug test to the hair follicle test. At this time, an official request is circulating through the chain of command and is not expected to meet with resistance at any point.

This is the second change the DOT has made to its drug testing regulations in the past few years. In January 2019, it extended the opiate panel to include four synthetic opioids.

Oxycodone
Oxymorphone
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone

Physicians heavily prescribed these prescription painkillers until realizing their high potential for addiction. By then, however, the damage had been done and addiction to these drugs was and is running rampant through our country.

The trucking industry stands behind the DOT’s decision to use the hair follicle test. Some employers in the industry incur the additional cost of using both the DOT drug test and the hair follicle test as well.

Moreover, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed changes to its drug testing policy to include mouth swab testing. The proposals were published on Monday, February 28th, 2022. The proposal is aimed at saving employers in the trucking industry time and money because the mouth swab test is completed in minutes getting the driver back out on the road in the least amount of time.

FMCSA Clearinghouse

Beginning January 6, 2023, employers are no longer required to query both the FMCSA Clearinghouse and previous employers (for three years) on all potential drivers to search for unresolved drug or alcohol violations. As of that date, an accurate and “real-time” database was determined to be established. Employers need only access the Clearinghouse when hiring new employees.

Employers are required to report any drug or alcohol violations to the database within 3 business days. They may designate their C/TPA to handle testing and reporting on their behalf.

Drug Testing FAQs

Can I dispute a drug test result if my employer used a mouth swab test?

Yes, you can. The use of mouth swab drug tests is restricted in West Virginia.

Can I access the FMCSA Clearinghouse and see if there’s any information there about me?

Yes. Drivers can register with the Clearinghouse and are free to access it at any time at no charge.

I’m an owner-operator so does that mean that I query myself?

The FMCSA requires that all drivers be queried once a year. However, you need to have your C/TPA (consortium/third-party administrator) handle the particulars for you. If you’ve already registered with the Clearinghouse, you’ve probably designated them to access the database on your behalf already.

I have a prescription for my oxy—my back’s in really bad shape—that’s going to keep me in the clear, right?

If you’re holding a safety-sensitive position, the DOT makes it technically possible. You’ll have a chance to provide medical evidence for your claim. But, just a prescription isn’t going to do the trick. Your doctor needs to contact the MRO to discuss alternatives. If none can be decided upon, the doctor needs to state that in writing and verify that you can function normally while under the influence of the painkiller.

Ultimately, though, the decision is left up to your employer. It’s a pretty big risk for them to incur, so we wouldn’t count on it being approved.

Can I admit that I have a problem with drugs to my employer and keep my job?

We really can’t predict how that conversation is going to go down. In all honesty, it largely depends on your employer’s drug-free program. Policies and procedures have to be followed to the letter. Still, if you’re considering getting help for your problem, reach out to your employer.

Then, enroll in rehab and fight like you’re fighting for your life! Even if your job isn’t waiting for you when you complete your rehab, you were looking for a job when you found that one, right? And, this round, you’re going to be drug-free. Your horizons just broadened considerably.

Go get’em, tiger! We’re rooting for you.