Urine and Oral-Fluid Labs Get Their Federal Certification Roll Call
Published Date: 11/2/2026
Notice
Summary
Hey federal agencies! Here’s the latest list of labs and testing spots certified to do urine and oral fluid drug tests that meet all the official rules. If a lab loses its certification, it’s dropped from the list until it’s back in good standing. This monthly update keeps everyone in the loop and helps make sure drug testing stays fair and reliable—no surprises, no delays!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Certification and Maintenance Testing Rules for Labs
To become HHS-certified, a laboratory or IITF must undergo three rounds of performance testing plus an on-site inspection. To maintain certification, a laboratory or IITF must participate in quarterly performance testing and undergo periodic on-site inspections; facilities in the applicant stage do not meet the minimum requirements, and an HHS/SAMHSA letter of certification is required.
No HHS-Certified Oral Fluid Labs
As of November 2, 2026, there are no HHS-certified laboratories approved to conduct drug and specimen validity tests on oral fluid specimens. HHS also states that Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) are not allowed to perform oral fluid testing.
Only One HHS-Certified IITF for Urine Testing
The notice lists a single HHS-certified Instrumented Initial Testing Facility (Dynacare, 6628 50th Street NW, Edmonton, AB Canada) approved to conduct urine drug and specimen validity tests. The notice explicitly states that the Department of Transportation (DOT) does not allow IITFs to test DOT-regulated specimens.
Some Certified Labs Limited to VA/DoD Employees
Two HHS-certified urine-testing laboratories are listed with explicit user limitations: the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center Forensic Toxicology Laboratory is noted as 'Testing for Veterans Affairs (VA) Employees Only,' and the US Army Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory is noted as 'Testing for Department of Defense (DoD) Employees Only.'
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