If you’re building a workplace drug testing policy, the first decision is almost always: which panel? A “panel” in drug testing is just the number of drug classes the lab will screen for. The two most common, the 5-panel and the 10-panel, cover very different ground, and choosing the wrong one can leave you with either unnecessary cost or unacceptable risk.

Here’s a plain-English breakdown of what each panel covers, when it’s the right call, and how to think about adding extended panels.

What does a 5-panel drug test screen for?

The 5-panel is the original DOT-mandated drug screen, and it remains the federal baseline for any safety-sensitive position regulated by FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, PHMSA, and USCG. It tests for:

  • Marijuana (THC)
  • Cocaine
  • Amphetamines (including methamphetamine and MDMA after the 2010 expansion)
  • Opiates (codeine, morphine, heroin metabolite, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone)
  • Phencyclidine (PCP)

It’s relatively inexpensive, widely accepted, and federally compliant. If you’re hiring CDL drivers or any other DOT-regulated employee, the 5-panel is what you need.

What does a 10-panel drug test add?

The 10-panel test takes the same five categories and adds five more drug classes that are increasingly common in U.S. workplaces:

  • Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan)
  • Barbiturates
  • Methadone
  • Methaqualone
  • Propoxyphene

The 10-panel is the go-to for non-DOT employers in healthcare, government, and safety-sensitive private industry where prescription drug misuse is a meaningful concern. Some staffing agencies require it as a default.

When should you choose a 5-panel?

  • You’re hiring or maintaining DOT-regulated drivers or operators
  • You need the most affordable screening for high-volume pre-employment
  • Your industry doesn’t have meaningful prescription-drug-related risk
  • You want the result to be defensible under 49 CFR Part 40

When should you choose a 10-panel (or larger)?

  • Safety-sensitive jobs that aren’t DOT-regulated (warehouse, manufacturing, healthcare)
  • Reasonable-suspicion or post-accident testing where prescription drug abuse is suspected
  • Roles with access to controlled substances (pharmacy, nursing, lab)
  • You want a thorough pre-employment screen that catches benzo and barbiturate misuse

What about 12-panel and 14-panel tests?

Extended panels typically add fentanyl, oxycodone (if not already included), tramadol, buprenorphine, and synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice). With the rise of fentanyl-related overdoses, more employers are upgrading to a 12-panel that explicitly tests for fentanyl, and we recommend it for healthcare, transportation, and any role involving public safety.

The bottom line

Use the 5-panel for DOT compliance. Use the 10-panel as your non-DOT default. Add fentanyl and oxycodone separately if your industry warrants it. And when in doubt, call us, we’ll spend ten minutes on the phone designing the right panel for your workforce.