A 5-panel drug test is a type of drug test that screens for five types of illegal substances and commonly abused prescription drugs. It is commonly used by employers as a routine step in the pre-employment screening process to identify drug use early on and avoid accidents, conflicts, and liability issues that could arise from drug use on the job. The test typically screens for metabolites linked to the following drug types:

• Amphetamines, such as ecstasy, crystal meth, or Ritalin
• Phencyclidine, also called PCP or angel dust
• Cocaine and crack cocaine
• Opiates, such as heroin, oxycodone, or hydrocodone
• Marijuana (THC aka Tetrahydrocannabinol)

A 5-panel drug test can be conducted via urinalysis, hair follicles, or saliva (oral fluid) . The most common method is urinalysis, which can be either a lab-based test or point of care (POCT), also known as express testing. The 5-panel drug test is the most popular type of test in many workplace settings and is the industry standard used by the Federal government, the DOT, and many private employers.