Quick answer: An ETG urine test at home detects ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a metabolite the body makes from alcohol. Common cutoffs are 500 ng/mL and 1,000 ng/mL. EtG can be detectable for up to about 80 hours after heavy drinking. A positive screen is preliminary; confirm by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS laboratory testing. Source: American Screening Corp.
- Detects: EtG, an alcohol metabolite, in urine. It shows alcohol exposure well after breath tests go negative.
- Cutoff and window: 500 ng/mL or 1,000 ng/mL cutoffs; up to about 80 hours after heavy intake (SAMHSA Advisory, as of November 2026).
- Result status: Every positive is preliminary and needs laboratory confirmation before action.
What is an ETG urine test at home?
An ETG urine test is a rapid immunoassay that checks urine for ethyl glucuronide. EtG is a direct alcohol biomarker, so the test looks for the metabolite and not for alcohol itself.
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"At home" means the donor provides the sample away from a collection site, often on a program schedule. For clinics, treatment centers and courts, this is usually a participant-collected or staff-supervised sample, read on the spot.
What cutoff levels do ETG tests use?
Rapid ETG tests are commonly sold at 500 ng/mL and 1,000 ng/mL. Some programs use lower cutoffs for abstinence monitoring. The SAMHSA Advisory on alcohol biomarkers notes that low-level results can come from incidental exposure, so cutoff choice should match your policy.
| Cutoff | Best fit | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 500 ng/mL | Abstinence monitoring, treatment, probation | More sensitive; incidental exposure can reach this level |
| 1,000 ng/mL | Programs that want to flag likely drinking | Fewer incidental positives; may miss light intake |
| Lab confirmation (GC/MS or LC-MS/MS) | Any decision that affects a person | Required step after a preliminary positive |
How long does EtG stay detectable?
EtG can be detectable in urine for up to about 80 hours after heavy drinking, according to the SAMHSA Advisory on alcohol biomarkers (as of November 2026). Light intake clears sooner. Detection time depends on the amount consumed, the cutoff, hydration and kidney function.
A breath test usually covers only hours. An ETG screen covers days, which is why programs use it for abstinence agreements.
Can incidental exposure cause a positive?
Yes. SAMHSA cautions that heavy use of alcohol-containing products, such as some mouthwashes and hand sanitizers, can in rare cases produce low-level EtG. For this reason, set policy that treats a low-level positive as a reason to review and confirm, not as proof of drinking. Pairing the screen with a written participant acknowledgment and a confirmation step protects both the donor and your program.
How do you read an ETG test result?
- Check the package expiration date and confirm the device is sealed.
- Collect the sample in a clean container and record date and time.
- Apply the sample as the package insert directs.
- Read the result inside the time window printed in the insert. Do not read it later.
- A control line must appear for a valid test. No control line means invalid; retest with a new device.
- If the test line is absent or faint under the manufacturer's rules, record it as a preliminary positive and send the sample for confirmation.
Always follow the insert for the exact device, since line interpretation differs between formats.
Is an ETG urine test FDA-cleared or CLIA-waived?
Status depends on the specific device. Verify the FDA 510(k) clearance and CLIA-waived category on the package insert and in the FDA CLIA database before you buy. Anything labeled forensic use only must be used and described that way. American Screening Corp lists status on each product page; contact our team to confirm status for a specific lot.
Cup or dip card: which format for ETG?
Cups hold the sample, let staff check temperature and visible integrity, and suit supervised programs. Dip cards cost less per test and suit high-volume, quick screening. Browse our drug test cups or our drug test dip cards and match the format to your collection process.
Buyer checklist before you order
- Confirm the cutoff (500 or 1,000 ng/mL) matches your written policy.
- Confirm FDA clearance and CLIA-waived status on the insert for that exact device.
- Check shelf life and storage temperature.
- Decide who collects, who reads, and who records the result.
- Set a lab confirmation path (GC/MS or LC-MS/MS) for every preliminary positive.
- Write a policy for incidental-exposure disputes.
- Keep results and chain-of-custody records for your retention period.
If you screen applicants as well as program participants, employment checks run separately; Reveal Background is our sister division for that work.
Frequently asked questions
Can an ETG urine test at home show recent drinking?
Yes. It detects EtG for up to about 80 hours after heavy drinking, per the SAMHSA Advisory. Treat any positive as preliminary and confirm by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS.
What is the standard ETG cutoff?
Rapid tests are commonly 500 ng/mL or 1,000 ng/mL. Choose the cutoff that matches your program policy and document it.
Is an ETG screen enough to act on?
No. A rapid result is preliminary. Confirm by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS laboratory testing before any decision affecting a person.
Can sanitizer or mouthwash cause a positive?
Heavy use of alcohol-containing products can occasionally cause low-level EtG, per SAMHSA. Review low-level positives and confirm through a laboratory.
Sources
- SAMHSA, The Role of Biomarkers in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders, 2012 Revision
- FDA, CLIA Database (Categorization of Tests)
- CDC, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice.
