Fed Pee-Test Labs Certified: Spit and Urine Approved List Drops
Published Date: 9/1/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides notice of the laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) currently certified to meet the standards of the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Mandatory Guidelines) using Urine and the laboratories currently certified to meet the standards of the Mandatory Guidelines using Oral Fluid.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
No HHS-Certified Oral Fluid Labs
As of the September 1, 2026 notice, there are no laboratories certified by HHS to conduct drug and specimen validity tests on oral fluid specimens under the Mandatory Guidelines. If a federal agency or workplace wanted an oral fluid test, there are currently no HHS-certified labs available to do that testing.
IITFs Cannot Conduct Oral Fluid Testing
The notice states that HHS does not allow Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) to conduct oral fluid testing. IITFs may only be certified to conduct urine testing, not oral fluid testing, under the Mandatory Guidelines.
DOT-Prohibited IITF Testing for DOT Specimens
The notice includes a note that the Department of Transportation (DOT) does not allow IITFs to test DOT-regulated specimens. That means IITFs cannot be used for DOT drug testing programs.
Some Certified Labs Limited To VA or DoD Only
The notice lists two certified laboratories that are restricted to specific employee groups: the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center Forensic Toxicology Laboratory is certified for testing for Veterans Affairs (VA) employees only, and the U.S. Army Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory is certified for Department of Defense (DoD) employees only.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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