Hair Drug Testing Services

NMS Screening & Compliance provides professionally administered hair drug testing services designed to support informed hiring decisions, workplace safety, and non-regulated compliance programs.

Hair Drug Testing Overview

Hair drug testing detects drugs and drug metabolites that are incorporated into the hair shaft as it grows. A standard hair specimen, typically collected from the head, can provide a detection window of up to approximately 90 days, depending on hair length and individual growth rates.

Because of this extended detection period, hair testing is commonly used to identify repeated or habitual drug use, rather than recent or single-event use.

Common Uses for Hair Drug Testing

Hair drug testing is most often used in non-DOT workplace programs, including:

• Pre-employment screening.
• Random testing in non-regulated environments.
• Executive and professional screening programs.
• Situations where long-term drug use patterns are a concern.

Hair testing is not approved for DOT-regulated drug testing programs.

Substances Commonly Detected

Standard hair drug testing panels may screen for substances such as:

• Marijuana (THC metabolites).
• Cocaine.
• Amphetamines.
• Methamphetamines.
• Opiates (including heroin, morphine, and codeine).
• Phencyclidine (PCP).

Testing panels may be expanded based on employer policy and program requirements.

Collection Process and Integrity

Hair specimens are collected under controlled procedures designed to maintain specimen integrity and chain of custody. Because hair collection is directly observed and does not rely on bodily fluids, the method is considered tamper-resistant, with a lower risk of substitution or adulteration than other specimen types.

Cosmetic treatments, such as hair coloring or styling, generally do not eliminate drug markers incorporated into the hair shaft, although laboratory analysis accounts for this during testing.

Detection Window Considerations

Hair drug testing provides insight into longer-term drug use patterns, but it does not identify:

• Immediate or very recent drug use.
• Current impairment at the time of testing.

As with all testing methods, selecting hair testing should be based on program goals, legal requirements, and the type of information an employer needs to support decision-making.

Laboratory Analysis and Defensibility

Hair specimens are analyzed by certified laboratories using established scientific methods. Laboratory confirmation processes help ensure accuracy and defensibility, making hair testing a reliable option for non-regulated employment decisions when used appropriately.

NMS Screening & Compliance partners with experienced laboratory providers that specialize in hair drug testing to deliver consistent, defensible results.

NMS OnBoard™: Centralized Hair Testing Oversight

NMS Screening & Compliance supports hair drug testing programs through NMS OnBoard™, a secure, cloud-based, mobile-enabled platform that centralizes test coordination, status tracking, and documentation management. NMS OnBoard™ provides employers with visibility into hair test activity across pre-employment and ongoing screening programs, supporting consistent workflows, secure record retention, and integration with laboratory reporting. This centralized oversight helps organizations manage hair testing programs efficiently while maintaining clear documentation and program visibility.

Why Choose NMS Screening & Compliance?

• Comprehensive Services: A full range of drug and alcohol testing solutions for regulated and non-regulated employers.
• Expert Guidance: Practical support for compliance, policy development, and program design.
• Flexible Options: Hair testing, lab-based testing, oral fluid testing, and instant screening options.
• Nationwide Coverage: Reliable testing access across multiple states and locations.
• Audit-Ready Processes: Structured programs designed to support documentation and defensibility.