Drug Test Dip Cards

Quick answer: Drug test dip cards are strip-style urine screening devices. You dip the card into a urine sample and read the lines after about five minutes. This collection offers single-drug and multi-panel cards, with options for fentanyl, EtG and adulterant checks. Many are FDA-cleared and CLIA-waived, and forensic-use-only versions are also available.

What drug test dip cards detect

Each strip on a card screens for one drug or drug class. Panels range from a single drug to 14 or more, so you can match the card to your testing policy. Typical screening cutoffs are shown below. Configurations vary by manufacturer and product, so confirm the cutoffs on the package insert for the exact item you order.

Drug class	Abbreviation	Typical screening cutoff (ng/mL)
Amphetamine	AMP	1,000 (500 on some)
Methamphetamine	MET	500 (1,000 on some)
Cocaine (benzoylecgonine)	COC	300
Marijuana (THC metabolite)	THC	50
Opiates (morphine)	OPI / MOP	2,000 (300 on some)
Phencyclidine	PCP	25
Benzodiazepines	BZO	300
Barbiturates	BAR	300
Methadone	MTD	300
Oxycodone	OXY	100
MDMA (ecstasy)	MDMA	500
Buprenorphine	BUP	10
Tricyclic antidepressants	TCA	1,000
Fentanyl	FYL / FEN	Commonly 1 to 5
Ethyl glucuronide (alcohol)	ETG	Commonly 500

Formats compared: cup, dip card and oral fluid

Feature	Urine cup	Dip card	Oral fluid
Specimen	Urine	Urine	Saliva
Result time	About 5 minutes	About 5 minutes	About 10 minutes, varies
Observed collection	Not required by the device; the collector follows protocol	Not required by the device; needs a separate collection container	Easy to observe
Adulteration checks	Often built in, and temperature strip common	Available on select cards; temperature checked separately	Less relevant
Best for	Fast, contained collection and testing	Lowest cost per test in high volume, flexible panels	Recent-use screening and observed settings

Who buys drug test dip cards and why

• Clinics and physician offices: point-of-care screening for pain management and medication monitoring, such as buprenorphine and opiates.
• Treatment programs: frequent client testing, where per-test cost matters and EtG or fentanyl add-ons help track relapse.
• Courts and probation: routine screening of supervised individuals, often with forensic-use-only options and confirmation of non-negative results.
• Employers and staffing firms: pre-employment and post-incident screening with panels matched to the company policy.
• Collection sites and labs: stocking cards for onsite screens before specimens are sent for confirmation.

Compliance: FDA, CLIA and confirmation testing

An FDA 510(k)-cleared device has been reviewed for its intended use. A CLIA-waived device may be used in a waived-testing setting; the site still follows CLIA requirements for its certificate type. Forensic-use-only devices are not cleared for clinical diagnostic use and are typically chosen for non-clinical programs. Check each product listing for its status.

Dip cards are screening tools and give preliminary results only. A non-negative result should be confirmed by a laboratory method such as GC-MS or LC-MS/MS before any action is taken. Federally regulated DOT testing follows 49 CFR Part 40, which requires a laboratory-based process and certified collection procedures, so a dip card does not replace it. This is general information, not legal advice. Consult counsel or your medical director about your program.

How to read dip card results

1. Check the expiration date and let the card and sample reach room temperature.
2. Remove the card from the pouch and dip the strip end into the urine to the marked line for the time in the instructions.
3. Lay the card flat and start a timer. Read at the time given in the package insert, usually five minutes.
4. Look for the control line first. A visible control line means the test ran correctly.
5. Read each drug strip. Two lines (control and test) mean negative for that drug. One control line only means a non-negative (presumptive positive) result.
6. Do not read after the stated window. Record the result and send non-negative samples for confirmation.

A faint test line is still a line, so it reads as negative for that drug. A missing control line means the result is invalid. Retest with a new card. If adulterant pads show an abnormal reading, follow your protocol for the specimen.

Ordering drug test dip cards in bulk from ASC

American Screening Corp has supplied wholesale drug and alcohol testing products since 2004 from Shreveport, Louisiana. Dip cards typically ship in boxes of 25, and larger case quantities are available for volume buyers. Orders ship the same day when placed in time. For recurring programs, request a volume quote and ask about private label options. Call our team if you need help choosing a panel, brand or compliance status for your setting.

Drug Test Dip Cards FAQ

What is a drug test dip card?

A drug test dip card is a urine screening device with several test strips on one card. You dip the strip end into a urine sample, wait the stated time, and read the lines. It is a quick, low-cost preliminary screen for multiple drugs at once and does not give a final, confirmed result.

How long do drug test dip cards take?

Most dip cards produce results in about five minutes. Always follow the package insert for the exact read window. Results read too early or after the stated time may be unreliable, so use a timer and avoid interpreting the card once the window has passed.

Does a dip card detect fentanyl or alcohol?

Only if the card includes that strip. Many panels are offered with fentanyl (FYL or FEN) and EtG, which indicates alcohol use. Standard panels may not include them, so check the drug list and cutoffs on each product page before ordering.

How much do drug test dip cards cost?

Cost depends on panel size, brand, add-ons such as fentanyl or adulterant checks, and order quantity. Larger cases lower the per-test cost. Prices are listed on each product page, and ASC can provide a volume quote for recurring or high-volume orders.

Where can I buy drug test dip cards near me?

Most clinics, employers and programs buy dip cards online for on-site testing because it gives a wider selection and bulk pricing than a local store. Order from ASC and the cards ship the same day when ordered in time, so you can keep supplies at your own location.

How accurate are drug test dip cards?

Accuracy depends on the device, the drug and the cutoff. Cleared devices are evaluated against laboratory methods, but dip cards remain screening tests. Cross-reactivity with some medications can cause presumptive positives, so confirm non-negative results with GC-MS or LC-MS/MS.