American Screening Corp. Published July 15, 2026. Updated July 15, 2026.
SAMHSA cutoff levels are the drug concentrations, measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), at or above which a specimen screens or confirms positive in federal workplace testing. The 2026 HHS urine panel includes fentanyl at a 1 ng/mL cutoff, while the DOT panel still follows the pre-fentanyl table in 49 CFR 40.85. Full tables below.
Cutoff values on this page are taken directly from the HHS authorized testing panels published in the Federal Register (90 FR 4662, reaffirmed Mar. 13, 2026 at 91 FR 12308) and the current text of 49 CFR Part 40, checked July 15, 2026.
What Are the Current SAMHSA Urine Drug Testing Cutoff Levels?
The table below is the complete HHS urine drug testing panel in effect for 2026. These cutoffs took effect July 7, 2025, when HHS added fentanyl and norfentanyl to the federal panel, and were reaffirmed without change in the March 13, 2026 Federal Register notification (91 FR 12308). All values are ng/mL.
| Initial Test Analyte | Initial Cutoff (ng/mL) | Confirmatory Test Analyte | Confirmatory Cutoff (ng/mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marijuana metabolite (THCA) | 50 | THCA | 15 |
| Cocaine metabolite (Benzoylecgonine) | 150 | Benzoylecgonine | 100 |
| Codeine/Morphine | 2,000 | Codeine | 2,000 |
| Morphine | 4,000 | ||
| Hydrocodone/Hydromorphone | 300 | Hydrocodone | 100 |
| Hydromorphone | 100 | ||
| Oxycodone/Oxymorphone | 100 | Oxycodone | 100 |
| Oxymorphone | 100 | ||
| 6-Acetylmorphine (heroin metabolite) | 10 | 6-Acetylmorphine | 10 |
| Phencyclidine (PCP) | 25 | Phencyclidine | 25 |
| Fentanyl | 1 | Fentanyl | 1 |
| Norfentanyl | 1 | ||
| Amphetamine/Methamphetamine | 500 | Amphetamine | 250 |
| Methamphetamine | 250 | ||
| MDMA/MDA | 500 | MDMA | 250 |
| MDA | 250 |
Two notes from the panel itself: a fentanyl immunoassay must show at least 5 percent cross-reactivity to norfentanyl, and the morphine confirmatory cutoff was raised from 2,000 to 4,000 ng/mL under the 2023 Urine Mandatory Guidelines (88 FR 70768, effective February 1, 2024) to place it above concentrations produced by realistic poppy seed food consumption.
What Are the Current SAMHSA Oral Fluid Cutoff Levels?
HHS authorized oral fluid as a federal specimen type under the Oral Fluid Mandatory Guidelines (OFMG, 88 FR 70814). The 2026 panel for undiluted (neat) oral fluid is below. Note that oral fluid detects parent drugs (THC, cocaine) rather than only metabolites, which is why the cutoffs are far lower than urine.
| Initial Test Analyte | Initial Cutoff (ng/mL) | Confirmatory Test Analyte | Confirmatory Cutoff (ng/mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marijuana (THC) | 4 | THC | 2 |
| Cocaine/Benzoylecgonine | 15 | Cocaine | 8 |
| Benzoylecgonine | 8 | ||
| Codeine/Morphine | 30 | Codeine | 15 |
| Morphine | 15 | ||
| Hydrocodone/Hydromorphone | 30 | Hydrocodone | 15 |
| Hydromorphone | 15 | ||
| Oxycodone/Oxymorphone | 30 | Oxycodone | 15 |
| Oxymorphone | 15 | ||
| 6-Acetylmorphine | 4 | 6-Acetylmorphine | 2 |
| Phencyclidine | 10 | Phencyclidine | 10 |
| Fentanyl | 4 | Fentanyl | 1 |
| Amphetamine/Methamphetamine | 50 | Amphetamine | 25 |
| Methamphetamine | 25 | ||
| MDMA/MDA | 50 | MDMA | 25 |
| MDA | 25 |
Unlike the urine panel, the HHS oral fluid panel does not include norfentanyl as a confirmatory analyte.
What Are the DOT Drug Testing Cutoff Levels in 2026?
DOT-regulated testing (FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, PHMSA, USCG) follows 49 CFR Part 40, not the HHS panel directly. As of July 2026, the DOT urine table in 49 CFR 40.85 has not yet adopted the two most recent HHS changes. The current DOT urine panel:
| Initial Test Analyte | Initial Cutoff (ng/mL) | Confirmatory Test Analyte | Confirmatory Cutoff (ng/mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marijuana metabolites (THCA) | 50 | THCA | 15 |
| Cocaine metabolite (Benzoylecgonine) | 150 | Benzoylecgonine | 100 |
| Codeine/Morphine | 2,000 | Codeine | 2,000 |
| Morphine | 2,000 | ||
| Hydrocodone/Hydromorphone | 300 | Hydrocodone | 100 |
| Hydromorphone | 100 | ||
| Oxycodone/Oxymorphone | 100 | Oxycodone | 100 |
| Oxymorphone | 100 | ||
| 6-Acetylmorphine | 10 | 6-Acetylmorphine | 10 |
| Phencyclidine | 25 | Phencyclidine | 25 |
| Amphetamine/Methamphetamine | 500 | Amphetamine | 250 |
| Methamphetamine | 250 | ||
| MDMA/MDA | 500 | MDMA | 250 |
| MDA | 250 |
Key differences from the HHS panel: no fentanyl or norfentanyl, and the DOT morphine confirmatory cutoff remains 2,000 ng/mL. DOT published a proposed rule on September 2, 2025 (90 FR 42363) to add fentanyl and norfentanyl and harmonize with the HHS guidelines; no final rule had been published as of July 15, 2026. DOT-regulated employers can compare devices for their non-regulated pools in the DOT drug and alcohol testing collection.
DOT oral fluid cutoffs in 49 CFR 40.91 match the HHS oral fluid values above (without fentanyl). However, DOT oral fluid testing cannot be used operationally until HHS certifies oral fluid laboratories, and per the HHS certified laboratory list published July 2, 2026 (91 FR 40548), no laboratory was yet certified to test oral fluid specimens. Non-regulated programs can still screen with oral fluid drug tests today.
What Is the Difference Between DOT and Non-DOT Testing?
DOT testing is federally mandated for safety-sensitive transportation employees. The panel, cutoffs, collection procedures, chain of custody (CCF), laboratory certification, and Medical Review Officer review are all fixed by 49 CFR Part 40 and cannot be modified by the employer.
Non-DOT testing covers everyone else: general workplace programs, staffing agencies, treatment centers, probation and corrections, and schools. Non-DOT programs may follow SAMHSA cutoffs as a best practice, but they are free to use different panels (10, 12, 14, or 18 drugs), different cutoffs, instant point-of-care devices, and lab confirmation only on non-negatives. Most rapid drug test cups, dips, and strips are built to SAMHSA-referenced cutoff levels for the core analytes so results align with what a certified lab would report.
What Changed in 2025 and 2026?
Three developments matter for anyone maintaining a testing program:
- Fentanyl added to federal panels (July 7, 2025). HHS added fentanyl to urine (1 ng/mL initial and confirmatory, plus norfentanyl at 1 ng/mL confirmatory) and oral fluid (4 ng/mL initial, 1 ng/mL confirmatory) per the January 16, 2025 notification (90 FR 4662).
- Panels reaffirmed for 2026 (March 13, 2026). HHS republished the authorized panels with no changes to analytes or cutoffs (91 FR 12308).
- DOT fentanyl rulemaking pending. DOT proposed adding fentanyl and norfentanyl and raising the morphine confirmatory cutoff to 4,000 ng/mL in its September 2, 2025 NPRM, and no final rule had been published as of July 15, 2026. Until a final rule takes effect, DOT urine tests keep the current 49 CFR 40.85 panel.
How Do Initial and Confirmatory Cutoffs Work Together?
Every regulated specimen passes through two gates. The initial test (immunoassay screen, or an instant device in non-regulated settings) flags specimens at or above the initial cutoff. Anything below it is reported negative and testing stops. Specimens at or above the initial cutoff go to confirmatory testing by GC-MS or LC-MS/MS, which identifies the specific analyte and quantifies it against the confirmatory cutoff. Only a confirmed result at or above the confirmatory cutoff is reported positive. This two-step design is why a presumptive positive on an instant cup is never a final result: it is a signal to send the specimen for confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the SAMHSA cutoff levels for a 5-panel drug test?
For urine: marijuana metabolite 50 ng/mL initial and 15 ng/mL confirmatory; cocaine metabolite 150/100; phencyclidine 25/25; amphetamines 500 initial with 250 confirmatory; and opioids, with codeine/morphine screened at 2,000 ng/mL. The classic "5-panel" has expanded, since the federal panel now also includes semi-synthetic opioids and fentanyl.
Is fentanyl included in DOT drug tests in 2026?
Not yet. Fentanyl was added to the HHS federal panels effective July 7, 2025, but DOT's rule adding fentanyl and norfentanyl to 49 CFR Part 40 was still a pending rulemaking as of July 15, 2026. Non-DOT employers can add fentanyl to their panels today with fentanyl test strips or multi-panel cups that include a FYL strip.
What does a cutoff level of 50 ng/mL mean?
It means the test only reports positive if the target analyte's concentration in the specimen is at or above 50 nanograms per milliliter. Concentrations below the cutoff are reported negative even if a small amount of drug is present. Cutoffs exist to standardize results and screen out trace or passive exposure.
Why is the urine morphine confirmatory cutoff 4,000 ng/mL?
HHS raised it from 2,000 to 4,000 ng/mL in the 2023 Urine Mandatory Guidelines because eating poppy seed foods can produce urine morphine concentrations above the old cutoff. The higher level reduces positives that are not caused by drug misuse. DOT still uses 2,000 ng/mL until its harmonization rule is finalized.
Are cutoff levels the same for instant test cups and lab tests?
Reputable instant cups, dips, and strips are calibrated to SAMHSA initial screening cutoffs for the core analytes (for example THC 50 ng/mL, COC 150 ng/mL, AMP 500 ng/mL). Confirmatory cutoffs only apply at the laboratory, since GC-MS/LC-MS/MS quantitation cannot be performed on a rapid device. Always check the device package insert for the exact calibrated cutoffs.
Can an employer use different cutoff levels than SAMHSA?
DOT-regulated employers cannot; the Part 40 cutoffs are mandatory. Non-regulated employers may choose different panels and cutoffs, subject to state law. Most choose devices built to SAMHSA screening cutoffs so that instant results, lab confirmations, and any legal review all line up.
Sources
- HHS Mandatory Guidelines, Authorized Testing Panels, 91 FR 12308 (Mar. 13, 2026): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/13/2026-04981/mandatory-guidelines-for-federal-workplace-drug-testing-programs-authorized-testing-panels
- HHS Mandatory Guidelines, Authorized Testing Panels, 90 FR 4662 (Jan. 16, 2025): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/16/2025-00425/mandatory-guidelines-for-federal-workplace-drug-testing-programs-authorized-testing-panels
- Urine Mandatory Guidelines (UrMG), 88 FR 70768 (Oct. 12, 2023): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/12/2023-21734/mandatory-guidelines-for-federal-workplace-drug-testing-programs
- Oral Fluid Mandatory Guidelines (OFMG), 88 FR 70814 (Oct. 12, 2023): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/12/2023-21735/mandatory-guidelines-for-federal-workplace-drug-testing-programs
- HHS Certified Laboratory List, 91 FR 40548 (July 2, 2026): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/02/2026-13402/current-list-of-hhs-certified-laboratories-and-instrumented-initial-testing-facilities-which-meet
- 49 CFR 40.85 (urine cutoffs): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-A/part-40/subpart-F/section-40.85
- 49 CFR 40.91 (oral fluid cutoffs): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-A/part-40/subpart-F/section-40.91
- DOT NPRM adding fentanyl, 90 FR 42363 (Sept. 2, 2025): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/02/2025-16720/procedures-for-transportation-workplace-drug-and-alcohol-testing-programs-addition-of-fentanyl-to
- SAMHSA Drug-Free Workplace Programs: https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace
- DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance: https://www.transportation.gov/odapc
