Glossary
Adulteration: The tampering or manipulation of a specimen to alter drug test results.
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Alcohol: A substance commonly tested for in drug and alcohol testing, often measured in blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
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Amphetamines: Stimulant drugs that can include medications like Adderall and illicit substances like methamphetamine.
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Analyte: The substance being tested for in a drug test, such as a specific drug or its metabolites.
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BAT (Breath Alcohol Technician): A certified individual responsible for conducting breath alcohol testing.
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Benzodiazepines: Medications used to treat anxiety and insomnia, including drugs like Xanax and Valium.
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Chain of Custody: The documented process of handling and transferring a specimen from the donor to the testing facility to maintain integrity and accountability.
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Clearinghouse: The FMCSA's database for recording and tracking commercial driver's license (CDL) holders' drug and alcohol program violations.
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Collector: A trained individual responsible for collecting specimens for drug testing.
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Confirmation Test: A second, more specific test conducted on a specimen to confirm the presence of a drug detected in the initial screening test.
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Consortium: A group of employers who join together to comply with DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.
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Controlled Substance: A drug regulated by the government due to its potential for abuse and dependency.
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Designated Employer Representative (DER): The individual responsible for overseeing the employer's drug and alcohol testing program.
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Dilute Specimen: A urine sample with a lower concentration of creatinine and specific gravity, potentially indicating attempted tampering.
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Drug-Free Workplace: A workplace policy prohibiting the use of illegal drugs and alcohol.
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DOT (Department of Transportation): The federal agency responsible for regulating transportation, including drug and alcohol testing regulations.
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Drug Test: A test conducted to detect the presence of drugs or their metabolites in a biological specimen.
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Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA): A common screening method used in drug testing to detect the presence of drugs in a specimen.
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FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration): The DOT agency responsible for regulating commercial motor vehicles.
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Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): A confirmation testing method used to identify specific drugs and their metabolites in a specimen.
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Hair Follicle Test: A type of drug test that analyzes a sample of hair to detect drug use over an extended period.
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Initial Test: The first step in drug testing, often a screening test to detect the presence of drugs in a specimen.
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Laboratory: A facility equipped to perform drug testing on specimens collected from individuals.
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Medical Review Officer (MRO): A licensed physician responsible for reviewing drug test results and verifying legitimate medical explanations for positive results.
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Metabolite: The byproduct produced when the body metabolizes or processes a drug.
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Negative Test: A drug test result indicating that no drugs or drug metabolites were detected in the specimen.
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Non-DOT Testing: Drug and alcohol testing conducted outside of DOT regulatory requirements.
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Observation: The process of visually monitoring a donor while they provide a specimen to prevent tampering or substitution.
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Oral Fluid Test: A drug test that analyzes a sample of saliva to detect the presence of drugs.
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Out-of-Service (OOS): A designation for commercial drivers who test positive for drugs or alcohol, requiring them to temporarily cease operating a commercial vehicle.
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Panel Test: A drug test that screens for multiple drugs or drug classes simultaneously.
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Pass/Fail Criteria: The predetermined thresholds used to determine whether a drug test result is considered positive or negative.
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Point of Collection Testing (POCT): Drug testing conducted at the location where the specimen is collected, providing rapid results.
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Positive Test: A drug test result indicating the presence of drugs or drug metabolites in the specimen.
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Post-Accident Testing: Drug and alcohol testing conducted following a workplace accident or incident meeting specific criteria.
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Pre-Employment Testing: Drug and alcohol testing conducted as a condition of employment before an individual begins work.
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Prescription Medication: Medications legally prescribed by a healthcare provider to treat medical conditions.
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Random Testing: Drug and alcohol testing conducted on an unannounced, unpredictable basis to deter substance abuse.
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Reasonable Suspicion Testing: Drug and alcohol testing conducted when there is reasonable cause to believe an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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Refusal to Test: An employee's failure to cooperate with drug and alcohol testing procedures, resulting in disciplinary action.
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Result Report: Documentation provided by the testing laboratory summarizing the findings of a drug test.
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Saliva Test: A drug test that analyzes a sample of saliva to detect the presence of drugs.
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Screening Test: An initial test used to detect the presence of drugs or drug metabolites in a specimen.
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Specimen: A biological sample, such as urine, blood, saliva, or hair, collected for drug testing.
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Substance Abuse Professional (SAP): A licensed professional responsible for assessing individuals with substance abuse problems and providing treatment recommendations.
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Substance Use Disorder: A medical condition characterized by the problematic use of drugs or alcohol, resulting in impairment or distress.
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Synthetic Drug: A man-made drug designed to mimic the effects of controlled substances.
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Third-Party Administrator (TPA): An organization contracted by employers to manage their drug and alcohol testing programs.
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Toxicology: The study of the adverse effects of drugs and other chemicals on biological systems.
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Urine Test: A drug test that analyzes a sample of urine to detect the presence of drugs or their metabolites.
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Violation: Non-compliance with DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations, resulting in penalties or sanctions.
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Workplace Safety: Measures and practices implemented to protect employees from hazards and risks in the workplace.
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Consortium Agreement: A contractual agreement outlining the responsibilities and obligations of employers participating in a consortium for drug and alcohol testing.
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Consortium Administrator: An individual or entity responsible for managing the operations of a consortium and ensuring compliance with DOT regulations.
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Consortium Member: An employer who joins a consortium to fulfill DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements.
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Consortium Pool: The group of employees included in a consortium for random drug and alcohol testing.
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Consortium Program: A comprehensive drug and alcohol testing program offered to employers through a consortium.
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Consortium Services: Services provided by a consortium to assist employers with compliance with DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.
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Consortium Program: A comprehensive drug and alcohol testing program offered to employers through a consortium.
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Consortium Services: Services provided by a consortium to assist employers with compliance with DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.
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Consortium Testing: Drug and alcohol testing conducted on behalf of multiple employers participating in a consortium.
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Compliance Assistance: Support and guidance provided to employers to help them meet DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements.
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Compliance Review: An evaluation of an employer's drug and alcohol testing program to ensure compliance with DOT regulations.
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Compliance Training: Education and training provided to employers and employees to promote understanding and adherence to DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.
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DOT Compliance: Adherence to the drug and alcohol testing regulations established by the Department of Transportation.
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DOT Regulations: Federal rules governing drug and alcohol testing requirements for safety-sensitive transportation workers.
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Employer Consortium: A consortium consisting of multiple employers who join together to fulfill DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements.
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FMCSA Compliance: Compliance with the drug and alcohol testing regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
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FMCSA Regulations: Regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration governing drug and alcohol testing for commercial motor vehicle drivers.
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Owner-Operator Consortium: A consortium specifically designed to meet the drug and alcohol testing needs of owner-operators in the transportation industry.
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Program Administrator: An individual or entity responsible for overseeing the implementation and administration of a drug and alcohol testing program.
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Random Selection: The process of selecting employees for drug and alcohol testing on an unannounced, unpredictable basis.
Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to the rules and regulations established by government agencies, such as the DOT, regarding drug and alcohol testing.
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Substance Abuse Policy: A written policy outlining an employer's expectations and procedures regarding drug and alcohol use in the workplace.
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Testing Consortium: A group of employers who join together to comply with DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations by pooling their resources for testing purposes.
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Testing Pool: The group of employees subject to random drug and alcohol testing as part of a consortium.
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Third-Party Administrator (TPA): An organization or individual contracted by employers to manage their drug and alcohol testing programs, including consortium administration.
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Transportation Consortium: A consortium established to meet the drug and alcohol testing requirements of employers in the transportation industry, such as trucking companies and bus operators.
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Urine Collection Site: A facility designated for the collection of urine specimens for drug and alcohol testing purposes.
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Urine Specimen Collection: The process of collecting a urine sample from an employee for drug and alcohol testing purposes.
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Violation Notification: Notification provided to employers by the DOT or a consortium administrator regarding non-compliance with drug and alcohol testing regulations.
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Workplace Consortium: A consortium established to meet the drug and alcohol testing requirements of employers in various industries outside of transportation.
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