HHS Drops Latest Pee-Test Lab Approved List
Published Date: 4/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services just shared the latest list of labs and testing centers approved to do urine and oral fluid drug tests for federal workers. If a lab loses its certification, it’s taken off the list until it’s fixed. This update helps keep drug testing fair, accurate, and on schedule—so federal agencies know exactly who’s good to go.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 2 mixed.
No Oral Fluid Labs Certified Now
As of April 2, 2026, HHS lists that there are no laboratories certified to conduct drug and specimen validity tests on oral fluid specimens for federal workplace programs. Federal agencies cannot currently rely on HHS-certified oral fluid testing laboratories.
Certification Tests and Inspections Required
To become HHS-certified, a laboratory or IITF must undergo three rounds of performance testing plus an on-site inspection. To maintain certification, a lab or IITF must participate in quarterly performance testing and periodic on-site inspections; applicant-stage facilities are not considered certified.
Monthly Certified Lab List
HHS publishes a monthly list of HHS-certified laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) that meet federal workplace drug testing standards. If a lab or IITF has its certification suspended or revoked, it will be omitted from the monthly list until certification is restored.
IITFs Cannot Test Oral Fluid
HHS does not allow Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) to conduct oral fluid drug testing for federal workplace programs. IITFs are limited to urine testing under the Mandatory Guidelines.
IITFs Can't Test DOT Specimens
The notice states that the Department of Transportation (DOT) does not allow IITFs to test DOT-regulated specimens, so DOT-covered drug tests cannot be performed at IITFs.
Omega Laboratories Suspended Certification
Omega Laboratories, Inc. voluntarily suspended its HHS certification effective March 19, 2026, and will be omitted from the HHS-certified list until certification is restored.
Minneapolis VA Lab for VA Employees Only
The Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center Forensic Toxicology Laboratory is HHS-certified to conduct urine testing but is designated to test Veterans Affairs (VA) employees only.
US Army Lab for DoD Employees Only
The US Army Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory at Fort George G. Meade is HHS-certified for urine testing but is designated to test Department of Defense (DoD) employees only.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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