What Is a 5-Panel Drug Test? Drugs Detected, Cost & Accuracy?
Evidence-based answer reviewed against SAMHSA cutoffs and FDA assay documentation · Updated August 2026
Quick answer: A 5-panel drug test screens for the following drug classes — see the full list below with cutoffs.
Complete drug list
Standard configuration with typical urine immunoassay cutoffs:
| Drug class | Typical urine cutoff |
|---|---|
| THC (marijuana) | 50 ng/mL urine initial / 15 confirm |
| Cocaine (benzoylecgonine) | 150 / 100 ng/mL |
| Opiates (morphine, codeine, 6-MAM heroin marker) | 2,000 / 2,000 ng/mL |
| Amphetamines (mixed amphetamine salts class) | 500 / 250 ng/mL |
| PCP | 25 / 25 ng/mL |
Who uses this panel
The federal standard since the Reagan era — still the DOT-mandated panel for CDL drivers, aviation, maritime and other safety-sensitive work.
What it does NOT catch
Blind spots: Benzos, MDMA, methadone, oxycodone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, barbiturates, kratom, shrooms, LSD. Absence from the strip means no testing occurs — specialty panels extend coverage when programs need it.
Cost & logistics
Cash-pay pricing for a 5-panel typically runs $30–$100 depending on lab network and turnaround. Results release in 1–2 business days for negatives; positives add confirmation and MRO review time. Home versions of most cup sizes sell for $15–$45 at pharmacies.
Certified labs nationwide · Results in 1–2 days
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How accurate are drug tests?
Lab-based immunoassay screens agree with confirmation testing ~97% of the time; confirmed GC–MS results are considered definitive. Home kits trade legal defensibility for convenience.
Do prescriptions count against me?
No — verified prescriptions report as negative through the Medical Review Officer. Declare medications at collection and answer the follow-up call.
Sources & further reading
- SAMHSA — Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (cutoffs, MRO process)
- DOT — 49 CFR Part 40 procedures for transportation workplace testing
- Brahm NC et al., Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2008;83(1):66–76 — false-positive cross-reactivity reference
- FDA — drug-of-abuse test device labeling (detection window conventions)