Should Employers Add Fentanyl to Their Drug Test Panel?

Across the U.S., the opioid crisis has taken a deadly turn with the rapid spread of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. While public health agencies have sounded the alarm, many employers remain unaware of a significant gap in their drug testing protocols: fentanyl usually isn't typically included in standard drug testing panels—despite widespread assumptions to the contrary.

As overdose deaths continue to climb and regulatory agencies take action to address the crisis, employers must re-evaluate their drug testing strategies, especially in safety-sensitive industries. Here's what you need to know about fentanyl, the current federal stance on testing, and why it might be time to revisit your drug screening panel.

Fentanyl's rise has been swift and alarming. According to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, are responsible for the majority of overdose deaths in the U.S. In 2022 alone, there were over 73,000 fentanyl-related deaths—an increase of more than 20% from the previous year. Overdose deaths involving fentanyl have skyrocketed since 2015. While fentanyl was originally introduced for medical uses, its presence in the drug market has expanded, it is now commonly mixed into other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit pills, and usually without the user's knowledge. This mixture increases the risk of unintentional overdoses and creates major safety concerns, especially in workplace environments where focus, coordination, and precision are critical.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has also reported record seizures of fentanyl at the border. In fiscal year 2023, agents intercepted more than 27,000 pounds of fentanyl—a significant jump from the 14,000 pounds seized the previous year. The overwhelming volume of fentanyl entering the country underscores the urgency of this issue.

Despite fentanyl's dangerous and widespread presence, many employers wrongly assume that their drug testing programs already include it. This is one of the most common misconceptions in workplace compliance today.

Standard 5-panel and even 10-panel drug tests—which commonly include substances like THC, cocaine, opioids (such as codeine and morphine), amphetamines, and PCP—do not automatically test for synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Unless an employer explicitly requests fentanyl to be added to their testing panel or uses a specialty synthetic opioid panel, they are likely not screening for it at all.

This gap in testing poses serious risks. Employers may unknowingly be allowing individuals impaired by fentanyl to remain in safety-sensitive roles, which increases liability and the potential for catastrophic accidents. The stakes are exceptionally high for transportation, construction, manufacturing, or healthcare industries.

Recognizing the escalating danger, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are taking steps to address fentanyl through federal workplace drug testing programs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a rule in January 2025 requiring laboratories to include fentanyl in federal workplace drug testing panels, with enforcement beginning July 7, 2025. This update mandates that labs screen for both fentanyl and its metabolite, nor fentanyl, through validated testing methods and FDA-cleared processes while also obtaining National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) certification.

Although the update primarily affects laboratories, employers should stay aware of its downstream implications. Changes at the lab level can shape industry expectations, mainly if the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) follows suit. While DOT has not yet announced a timeline, it must complete its rulemaking and public comment period before adoption. Whether or not this process is expedited remains uncertain.

This shift underscores the increasing recognition at the federal level that fentanyl poses a significant workplace safety threat—and it's only a matter of time before regulations catch up.

Waiting for regulatory mandates before changing your drug testing program could put your workforce and business at risk. Here's why proactive employers are choosing to add fentanyl to their panels:

• Improved Workplace Safety: Fentanyl impairment can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion, and respiratory depression—posing a significant hazard in roles involving machinery, driving, or patient care.
• Reduced Liability: By including fentanyl in your testing panel, you demonstrate a commitment to employee safety and due diligence, which can protect your organization from legal and financial repercussions.
• Public Health Responsibility: With fentanyl driving the deadliest drug crisis in U.S. history, employers have a role to play in identifying and helping affected individuals get the assistance they need.
• Misuse Is Often Hidden: Because fentanyl is sometimes unknowingly consumed in counterfeit pills or laced into other substances, individuals may not realize they've taken it. Including it in drug tests can be a life-saving step.
• Data-Driven Decisions: The growing body of evidence—federal proposals, overdose statistics, and border seizures—points to fentanyl being one of the most serious drug threats of our time.

Some reports suggest that fentanyl deaths may be plateauing or even slightly declining in certain regions, but this doesn't necessarily indicate a reduced risk. According to The Times, these modest dips are due to increased availability of naloxone (Narcan), better public awareness, and broader treatment access—not because the fentanyl threat has diminished.

The volume of fentanyl on the streets remains high, and new synthetic opioids continue to emerge, further complicating the landscape. The drug's potency and prevalence make it a persistent and evolving danger that employers cannot afford to ignore.

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Founded in 1986, DISA is the industry-leading provider of employee screening and compliance services. Headquartered in Houston, with more than 35 offices throughout North America and Europe, DISA’s comprehensive scope of services includes background screening, drug and alcohol testing, DOT & HR compliance, occupational health services, and I-9/E-Verify. DISA assists employers in making informed staffing decisions while building a culture of safety in their workplace.