C.F.R. » Title 49 » PART 40—PROCEDURES FOR TRANSPORTATION WORKPLACE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAMS › Subpart F—Drug Testing Laboratories

49 C.F.R. § 40.91

What are the cutoff concentrations for oral fluid drug tests?

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As a laboratory, you must use the cutoff concentrations displayed in the following table for initial and confirmatory drug tests for oral fluid specimens. All cutoff concentrations are expressed in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). The table follows:

Table 1 to § 40.91—Oral Fluid Testing Cutoff Concentrations

Initial test analyteInitial test
cutoff 1		Confirmatory test analyteConfirmatory test cutoff concentration
Marijuana (THC) 24 ng/mL 3THC2 ng/mL.
Cocaine/Benzoylecgonine15 ng/mL
Cocaine
Benzoylecgonine		8 ng/mL.
8 ng/mL.
Codeine/Morphine30 ng/mL
Codeine
Morphine		15 ng/mL.
15 ng/mL.
Hydrocodone/Hydromorphone30 ng/mL
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone		15 ng/mL.
15 ng/mL.
Oxycodone/Oxymorphone30 ng/mL
Oxycodone
Oxymorphone		15 ng/mL.
15 ng/mL.
6-Acetylmorphine4 ng/mL 36-Acetylmorphine2 ng/mL.
Phencyclidine10 ng/mLPhencyclidine10 ng/mL.
Amphetamine/Methamphetamine50 ng/mL
Amphetamine
Methamphetamine		25 ng/mL.
25 ng/mL.
MDMA 4/MDA 550 ng/mL
MDMA
MDA		25 ng/mL.
25 ng/mL.
1 For grouped analytes (i.e., two or more analytes that are in the same drug class and have the same initial test cutoff):
Immunoassay: The test must be calibrated with one analyte from the group identified as the target analyte. The cross reactivity of the immunoassay to the other analyte(s) within the group must be 80 percent or greater; if not, separate immunoassays must be used for the analytes within the group.
Alternate technology: Either one analyte or all analytes from the group must be used for calibration, depending on the technology. At least one analyte within the group must have a concentration equal to or greater than the initial test cutoff or, alternatively, the sum of the analytes present (i.e., with concentrations equal to or greater than the laboratory's validated limit of quantification) must be equal to or greater than the initial test cutoff.
2 An immunoassay must be calibrated with the target analyte.
3Alternate technology (THC and 6-AM): The confirmatory test cutoff must be used for an alternate technology initial test that is specific for the target analyte (i.e., 2 ng/mL for THC, 2 ng/mL for 6-AM).
4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
5 Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA).
[88 FR 27643, May 2, 2023]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 2003–2003 · leading case: Barry M. Cornish v. Marion C. Blakey, Adm'r of the Fed. Aviation Admin., 336 F.3d 749 (8th Cir. 2003).
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Barry M. Cornish v. Marion C. Blakey, Adm'r of the Fed. Aviation Admin., 336 F.3d 749 (8th Cir. 2003). “See 49 C.F.R. § 40.91 , 40.95, 40.97. This rule supersedes the 1998 DOT memorandum.”
Barry M. Cornish v. Jane Garvey (8th Cir. 2003). “See 49 C.F.R. § 40.91 , 40.95, 40.97. This rule supersedes the 1998 DOT memorandum.”
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