Quick answer: Price a drug testing program by total cost per valid result, not unit price. Add the kit price, laboratory confirmation of preliminary positives, collection labor, shipping, and retests. American Screening Corp supplies FDA-cleared, CLIA-waived urine cups and dip cards; every positive is preliminary and requires GC/MS or LC-MS/MS confirmation.
- Cost per test is a formula, not a number: kit + confirmation share + labor + shipping + waste.
- Panel size, cutoff levels and test format change both the price and the number of confirmations you will pay for.
- Ask every supplier for written, line-item quotes at your real monthly volume so you compare like with like.
What does a drug test actually cost per test?
The kit is only one part of the cost. A per-test figure is useful only when it includes every step from collection to a defensible result.
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.
We do not publish a single price here because pricing depends on panel, format, volume and private-label needs. For a written quote at your volume, use our contact page.
Which cost components should you count?
1. The kit or device
Instant urine cups and dip cards are priced by panel (the number of drugs screened), and bulk quantities lower the unit cost. Compare cups and dips on the same panel and the same cutoffs. See our drug test cups and our dip cards for the available formats.
2. Laboratory confirmation
A screen is preliminary. Every non-negative result should be confirmed by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS laboratory testing before any decision is made. Confirmation is billed per specimen, so your positive rate directly affects your real cost per test.
3. Collection labor and training
Staff time to observe, read, document and store specimens often exceeds the kit price in high-volume programs. Include chain-of-custody forms and temperature strips if your program uses them.
4. Shipping and storage
Ask about freight terms, minimum orders and shelf life. Kits that expire before use are a hidden cost, so match order size to your monthly use.
5. Invalid results and retests
Invalid or unreadable results mean a second device and more staff time. Clear result-reading instructions and trained staff reduce this waste.
How do panel and cutoff affect price?
A drug panel is the set of substances one device screens for. Common cutoffs follow the initial-test levels in the HHS Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (SAMHSA), as of 2026: marijuana metabolite (THC) 50 ng/mL, cocaine metabolite 150 ng/mL, amphetamines 500 ng/mL and phencyclidine (PCP) 25 ng/mL. Always confirm the exact cutoffs printed on your device insert.
In urine, most substances are generally detectable for about one to three days after use. Marijuana can be detectable longer with frequent use. Windows vary by person, dose and metabolism.
Our urine tests are FDA-cleared and CLIA-waived, which means they are cleared for point-of-collection use. Panels range from 5 to 18 drugs, plus alcohol (ETG), fentanyl and oral fluid options. Buy only the panel your policy needs, since extra drugs add cost and extra non-negative results to confirm.
| Program type | Common format | Cost driver to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic or treatment center, frequent testing | Urine cups, multi-panel | Volume tiers and confirmation rate |
| Courts and probation | Urine cups, oral fluid | Observed collection labor and documentation |
| Staffing firm, high-volume hiring | Dip cards or cups | Cost per hire and turnaround |
| Employer, DOT-regulated | DOT collection kits, lab testing | Compliance with 49 CFR Part 40 |
| Distributor or reseller | Bulk or private label | Minimum order and label setup |
How do you price for DOT-regulated testing?
DOT-regulated testing follows 49 CFR Part 40 (U.S. Department of Transportation, Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs). Those programs use specific collection procedures and laboratories certified under the HHS guidelines. Instant point-of-collection kits do not replace those required procedures, so price DOT programs separately from non-regulated screening.
Checklist: how to compare quotes
- Is the price per test at your actual monthly volume, in writing?
- Are the panel and cutoffs (ng/mL) identical across quotes?
- Is the device FDA-cleared and CLIA-waived?
- Is lab confirmation by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS priced per specimen?
- Are shipping, minimums and expiration dates stated?
- Is there a support contact for result-reading questions?
- For employers screening applicants, are background checks bundled? Our sister division Reveal Background handles employment screening.
A simple formula you can use
- Add the kit price and the per-test share of freight.
- Multiply your expected non-negative rate by the confirmation fee, and add the result.
- Add staff minutes per collection multiplied by hourly labor cost.
- Add an allowance for invalid results and expired stock.
- Divide the total by valid results, not tests started.
Frequently asked questions
How should I price a drug test per test?
Add kit cost, a confirmation allowance, collection labor, shipping and waste, then divide by valid results. This gives a true cost per test you can compare across suppliers.
Does a cheaper kit always lower my cost?
No. A lower unit price can raise total cost through invalid results, extra staff time or unneeded panel drugs. Compare total cost per valid result.
Is lab confirmation included in the test price?
Usually not. Confirmation by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS is typically billed per specimen. Ask for it as a separate line item in every quote.
Can I get volume or private-label pricing?
Yes. American Screening Corp offers wholesale and private-label options for qualified buyers. Contact us with your panel, monthly volume and shipping location for a written quote.
Sources
- SAMHSA, Workplace Helpline and Federal Drug Testing Guidelines
- eCFR, 49 CFR Part 40: Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs
- CDC, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice.
