Quick answer: An at home drug test is a urine cup or dip card that detects drugs at set cutoffs, such as THC at 50 ng/mL, and shows results in about five minutes. American Screening Corp in Shreveport, Louisiana ships FDA-cleared, CLIA-waived kits nationwide the same day. Every positive is preliminary and needs GC/MS or LC-MS/MS confirmation.
- You do not need a local store. American Screening Corp (ASC) ships same day nationwide to clinics, treatment centers, courts, probation offices, employers and staffing firms.
- Choose by panel, cutoff and format (cup or dip card). Match the cutoffs to your written policy.
- A positive screen is preliminary. Confirm by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS laboratory testing before any action.
What does an at home drug test detect?
An at home drug test detects drugs or their metabolites in urine at or above a stated cutoff. A metabolite is the substance the body produces when it breaks a drug down. Results below the cutoff read negative, and results at or above it read preliminary positive.
Need drug tests for your clinic, program or workplace?
American Screening Corp has supplied FDA-cleared, CLIA-waived tests at wholesale pricing since 2004. Popular options:
Ordering 100+ tests? Request volume pricing.
The most common format is a 5-panel test. Its initial cutoffs follow the federal HHS Mandatory Guidelines for urine, published by SAMHSA. ASC also supplies panels from 5 to 18 drugs, plus ETG alcohol-metabolite and fentanyl tests.
Typical 5-panel urine cutoffs and detection windows
| Drug (class) | Cutoff (ng/mL) | Typical detection window |
|---|---|---|
| Marijuana metabolite (THCA) | 50 | 1-3 days occasional use; up to about 30 days heavy chronic use |
| Cocaine metabolite | 150 | 1-3 days |
| Amphetamines | 500 | 2-4 days |
| Opiates (codeine/morphine) | 2,000 | 1-3 days |
| Phencyclidine (PCP) | 25 | 2-7 days |
Detection windows vary with dose, frequency of use, metabolism and hydration. Treat them as typical ranges, not guarantees. Always check the cutoffs printed on the specific kit you order.
Is an at home drug test FDA-cleared and CLIA-waived?
The kits ASC sells are FDA-cleared and CLIA-waived. FDA clearance means the device went through FDA review as a drugs-of-abuse test. CLIA-waived means the test is simple enough for use outside a certified laboratory, as defined by the CDC under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. See the FDA and CDC pages in the sources below.
Confirm the clearance status of each product on its page before you order. Different panels and formats can carry different documentation.
Cup or dip card: which one fits your program?
Both formats give a visual line result in minutes. The right choice depends on volume, privacy needs and how you document collection.
- Drug test cups collect the specimen and test it in one sealed device. They suit courts, probation, treatment centers and employers who need a clean, observed process and a specimen that can be sent for confirmation.
- Drug test dip cards are dipped into a collected specimen. They suit high-volume clinics and labs that want a lower cost per test.
Decision table: format by use case
| Buyer need | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Court or probation check-in | Cup | Sealed collection and a specimen that can be sent for confirmation |
| High-volume clinic or lab | Dip card | Lower cost per test, fast throughput |
| Employer or staffing onboarding | Cup | Simple, consistent process for non-clinical staff |
| Treatment center monitoring | Cup or dip card with ETG or fentanyl add-on | Panel can match the program's substances of concern |
How do you read the result?
- Check the kit expiration date and confirm the package is sealed.
- Collect the specimen and record the time, donor and collector.
- Read at the time stated in the kit's instructions, usually about five minutes. Do not read after the stated window.
- A line in the control region means the test ran. No control line means the test is invalid; repeat with a new kit.
- With most urine formats, a line in a drug region means negative for that drug. No line means preliminary positive.
- Send preliminary positives for GC/MS or LC-MS/MS confirmation.
Why a positive screen is only preliminary
An immunoassay screen reacts to drug classes and can cross-react with some medications. GC/MS and LC-MS/MS identify the exact compound and its amount. SAMHSA's workplace program and DOT 49 CFR Part 40 both rely on laboratory testing for the final result. A prescription or medical review may also be needed. ASC offers lab confirmation to support that step.
Checklist before you order
- Write down the panel and cutoffs your policy requires.
- Decide on cups or dip cards, and on any ETG or fentanyl add-ons.
- Check state law for your jurisdiction, including notice and consent rules.
- Plan lab confirmation for every preliminary positive.
- Estimate monthly volume and ask about wholesale or private label.
- Check the lot and expiration dates on arrival, and store kits as labeled.
- For DOT-regulated testing, follow 49 CFR Part 40 collection and lab rules rather than a standalone screen.
Where can I buy one, and how fast does it ship?
ASC is based in Shreveport, Louisiana, and sells wholesale to clinics, hospitals, treatment centers, courts, labs, staffing firms and employers. Orders ship same day nationwide. For volume pricing, private label or help choosing a panel, contact American Screening Corp. If you also screen job candidates, our sister division Reveal Background runs employment background checks.
FAQ
Can I get an at home drug test near me the same day?
ASC ships orders the same day nationwide from Shreveport, Louisiana. Delivery time depends on your location and carrier. Contact us for volume or urgent needs.
What cutoff does a 5-panel test use for marijuana?
The federal-style urine screen uses 50 ng/mL for the THC metabolite (THCA). Check the cutoff printed on your specific kit and match it to your policy.
How long do results take?
Most cups and dip cards show results in about five minutes. Read only within the window stated in the kit instructions.
Is a positive at home result final?
No. A positive is preliminary and should be confirmed by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS laboratory testing before any decision.
Sources
- SAMHSA - Workplace Drug Testing and HHS Mandatory Guidelines
- FDA - Drugs of Abuse Tests
- CDC - Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice.
