Drug Panel Types and When to Use Them

Please note: the 11-panel test often has a slightly different lineup — many vendors define it as everything an 8-panel tests, plus Methadone, Oxycodone, and Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), rather than continuing the straight 9→10→11 progression.

Which panel do employers pick?

• 4-panel: commonly used when THC is excluded by policy or local practice.
• 5-panel: a frequent default for general pre-employment screening.
• 7–10-panel: often used for safety-sensitive roles or stricter workplace policies (for example, driving, operating equipment, or certain industrial settings).
• 11–12-panel / custom: used when broader prescription coverage or expanded opioid testing is desired, or when a clinician requests a broader screen.

Practical notes for new hires

Most workplace testing starts with a screening assay; if a result is non-negative, confirmatory testing (often GC/MS or LC-MS/MS) may be used to reduce false positives and identify a specific drug/metabolite.

Employers can also order “add-ons” beyond these standard combinations. Depending on policy and risk profile, common add-ons can include fentanyl, buprenorphine, ketamine, synthetic cannabinoids, gabapentin, or a more detailed opioid panel. If your paperwork mentions an “expanded opioid” or “fentanyl add-on,” it is usually a custom order layered onto the baseline panel rather than a different numbered panel.