Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs-Authorized Testing Panels
Published Date: 1/16/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting July 7, 2025, federal workplaces will use updated drug testing panels for urine and oral fluid tests, with new names and rules for reporting results. This affects all federal agencies and labs doing drug tests, making sure everyone’s on the same page with what’s tested and how it’s reported. These changes keep drug testing clear, fair, and up-to-date without extra costs for agencies.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Fentanyl Added to Federal Panels
Starting July 7, 2025, HHS adds fentanyl to the urine and oral fluid Federal workplace drug testing panels. Until that date, fentanyl and/or norfentanyl can be analyzed only upon a Federal agency request for reasonable suspicion or post-accident testing or via a Secretary waiver.
Fentanyl/Norfentanyl Test Cutoffs Set
HHS sets specific cutoffs: for urine, an initial fentanyl cutoff of 1 ng/mL (initial immunoassay must show at least 5% cross-reactivity to norfentanyl) and confirmatory cutoffs of 1 ng/mL for both fentanyl and norfentanyl. For oral fluid (undiluted), the initial fentanyl cutoff is 4 ng/mL and the confirmatory cutoff is 1 ng/mL. These cutoffs apply starting July 7, 2025.
Laboratories and MROs Face Testing Costs
HHS says HHS-certified laboratories and Medical Review Officers (MROs) will incur initial administrative and programming costs to add fentanyl/norfentanyl testing. Estimated per-specimen costs: initial testing $0.23 to $5.00 and confirmatory testing $8.00 to $25.00; added cost per submitted Federal specimen is estimated at $0.0152 to $0.125, and total program costs for adding fentanyl are estimated from $9,317 to $194,750.
MDMA/MDA Will Remain Tested
HHS considered removing MDMA and MDA from the urine and oral fluid drug testing panels but decided not to remove them at this time and will continue to monitor prevalence and reassess in the future. MDMA and MDA therefore remain on the Federal testing panels effective July 7, 2025.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17116, Modifications to the Regulations Implementing the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as Amended
The U.S. Department of Labor publishes this final rule to revise its implementing regulations for the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended (VEVRAA). These revisions will align the regulations with Executive Order 14173 and remove the VEVRAA regulations' cross-references to the Executive Order 11246 authority. Executive Order 11246 was revoked by Executive Order 14173 on January 21, 2025. This final rule also makes technical revisions to update the VEVRAA regulations' jurisdictional thresholds, which were adjusted for inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council on October 1, 2025.
2026-17115, Modifications to the Regulations Implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended
The U.S. Department of Labor is revising its implementing regulations for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 503). The revisions align the regulations with applicable law and recent executive orders, including Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," and Executive Order 14219, "Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's `Department of Government Efficiency' Deregulatory Initiative."
2026-17114, Rescission of Executive Order 11246 Implementing Regulations
On January 21, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," which revoked Executive Order 11246. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Labor publishes this final rule to rescind the implementing regulations for Executive Order 11246.
2026-17088, Carboxin; Pesticide Tolerances
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of carboxin in or on multiple crops that are discussed later in this document. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), UPL Delaware Inc. submitted a petition to EPA requesting that EPA establish a maximum permissible level for residues of this pesticide in or on the identified commodities.
2026-17120, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; 2026 Commercial Closure of Red Snapper in the South Atlantic
NMFS implements an accountability measure for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects that commercial landings of red snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for red snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the red snapper resource.
2026-17113, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic
NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS estimates that commercial landings of blueline tilefish will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Accordingly, NMFS closes the commercial sector of blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ to protect the blueline tilefish resource from overfishing.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-00380, Air Plan Approval; Montana; Missoula, Montana Oxygenated Fuels Program Removal, Carbon Monoxide, Limited Maintenance Plan
The EPA is giving the green light to Montana’s plan to switch off the oxygenated fuels program in Missoula from a must-do rule to a backup plan for carbon monoxide pollution. This change won’t mess with air quality and kicks in on February 18, 2025. Residents and businesses in Missoula can expect no new costs or restrictions, just a smarter way to keep the air clean.
Next: 2025-00464, Expedited Approval of Alternative Test Procedures for the Analysis of Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Analysis and Sampling Procedures
Starting January 16, 2025, the EPA is speeding up approval for new ways to test drinking water for harmful stuff. This means public water systems, labs, and state or tribal agencies get faster, cheaper, and more flexible options to keep our water safe. These changes help save money while making sure your tap water stays healthy and clean.