These days, many major companies drug test their companies for a range of substances and base their employment on the results.
For some, this makes applying for jobs limiting and frustrating.
Even if you don’t do drugs or take medications, drug tests can feel invasive and presumptuous.
If you’re interested in Amazon’s drug test policy, consider this your complete guide.
Does Amazon Drug Test?
Amazon technically does drug test employees, but their drug testing policies have changed recently to accommodate new laws surrounding substances like marijuana.
Amazon Drug Test Policy
Amazon’s drug test policy is evolving, but recently, they have begun disregarding positive drug tests that come back positive for marijuana use.
Some Amazon employees are tested when hired and then randomly throughout their employment, excluding testing for marijuana and alcohol.
As the drug policy changes, Amazon has only been drug-testing employees monitored by the Department of Transportation.
Can I Refuse a Drug Test at Amazon
Yes, you have the right to refuse any drug test from a private employer.
No one except for law enforcement and government agencies can require you to complete a drug test.
However, if you refuse to complete the Amazon drug test, you likely cannot.
Current employees who refuse a drug test are typically terminated, and new hires who refuse the drug test are dropped from the hiring process.
What Does Amazon Test For?
Before you apply to Amazon based on their drug test policy, it’s helpful to know what kind of drugs they test for.
This section will discuss what the Amazon drug test reveals and what type of test you must take.
Like most private employers, Amazon can test employees for the following substances:
- Opiates
- Cocaine
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Benzodiazepines
- Propoxyphene
- Methadone
- Marijuana
- Ecstasy
- Barbiturates
- Amphetamines
- Oxycodone
- Quaaludes
What Type of Drug Test Does Amazon Use?
Amazon typically uses two kinds of drug tests: saliva and urine.
A saliva test requires you to perform a mouth swab, which is up to 99% accurate.
Urine tests are used less often by Amazon, but they are the more reliable option and can test for a wide range of drugs.
No evidence indicates that Amazon performs more invasive drug tests, such as blood or hair tests. Almost all employees report they take saliva tests.
Amazon does not do in-house drug testing.
Employees who must pass a drug test have to visit a third-party company to take the test.
What Panel Drug Test Does Amazon Use?
Amazon uses either the five-panel drug test or the twelve-panel drug test.
The five-panel drug test checks for:
- THC
- Opiates
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
And the twelve-panel drug tests screen for all the substances listed above, including ecstasy, methadone, and quaaludes.
While they once used the twelve-panel as their standard test, they’ve moved on to mostly the five-panel drug test.
While either panel tests screens for marijuana use, Amazon does not disqualify candidates who test positive for marijuana applying for certain roles.
And they do not test for alcohol consumption.
Who Does Amazon Drug Test?
Amazon used to drug test all employees, but they’re changing their rules, so they only drug test employees they have to by law or employees involved in a suspicious accident.
Any Amazon positions monitored by the Department of Transportation are drug tested during the hiring process and randomly throughout their employment.
Does Amazon Drug Test Drivers?
Unlike other Amazon employees, drivers are subject to marijuana drug tests, and if they fail, they can lose their job.
This is true even in US states where marijuana is legal for recreational use.
Drivers are the most tested Amazon employees because they legally must be drug-free to operate vehicles and deliver packages.
Does Amazon Drug Test Corporate Staff?
Recently, corporate staff at Amazon no longer have to take drug tests.
Some corporate staff promoted to managerial positions are asked to take the five-panel excluding marijuana, but even this protocol seems to be fading away quickly.
Does Amazon Drug Test Package Handlers?
Drug tests were given to packaging handlers at Amazon until they changed their policies to be more relaxed.
Now, Amazon only drug tests employers regulated by the Department of Transportation.
How Often Does Amazon Drug Test?
As discussed, the policies are quickly changing.
It seems fewer Amazon employees must take a drug test before being hired and during their employment.
But let’s look at what employees have experienced with Amazon drug testing.
Does Amazon Drug Test at Orientation?
Amazon used to test new hires at orientation.
Now, they only give drug tests to new drivers and sometimes warehouse workers.
But fewer and fewer Amazon warehouses require new hires to pass a drug test, excluding drivers.
Corporate staff no longer have to take drug tests at orientation.
Does Amazon Drug Test After You Get Hired?
Drivers must consistently pass drug tests to keep their job.
On average, an Amazon driver will take a drug test every four to six weeks, administered by the Department of Transportation or a third-party company.
For other employees, they can test if they have suspicions.
Even though Amazon has been loosening its drug test policy, it reserves the right to ask someone to take a drug test at any point and can terminate an employee for refusing.
Does Amazon Do Random Drug Tests on Employees?
Amazon will perform random tests if they are suspicious a particular employee is under the influence.
Drivers can be tested randomly as well.
However, employees report this is rare unless there was an accident or cause for suspicion.
Once upon a time, they drug-tested employees randomly, but not so often these days.
How Long Does a Drug Test at Amazon Take?
Luckily, if Amazon does decide to drug test you, it won’t take very long.
Completing a mouth swab or urine test should take less than five or ten minutes.
And both tests are relatively painless, if not a little awkward and uncomfortable.
How Long Does It Take for Amazon Drug Tests To Come Back?
The time it takes to get the drug test results back will vary depending on the test you take, when you take it, and what company performs the test.
Saliva tests usually process faster than urine, and results typically only come back on weekdays.
Expect to receive your results in an email between five and seven business days after you complete the drug test.
What Do The Drug Test Results Determine?
Now that you know what kind of drug testing process to expect let’s discuss what those drug test results mean for you and your Amazon employment.
Luckily, Amazon’s drug policies are not nearly as strict as many other corporate companies.
Does Amazon Have a Zero-Tolerance Policy?
No! As discussed, Amazon has a generally relaxed drug policy.
They reserve the right to drug test for any substance listed in their employee contracts (all substances on a twelve-panel test).
However, the company now tolerates marijuana use (except for delivery drivers) and tends to test fewer employees.
What Happens if an Amazon Drug Test Comes Back Negative?
If an Amazon drug test reads negative, your system is clean, and you are good to go!
You should be able to get hired or continue your job with no changes.
What Happens if an Amazon Drug Test Comes Back Inconclusive?
It’s unclear what Amazon does when a drug test comes back inconclusive.
Inconclusive results can mean the test was tampered with or was processed incorrectly.
In most cases, employees report receiving a second drug test.
What Happens if an Amazon Drug Test Comes Back Positive?
If you test positive with a saliva test, Amazon will send you to take a urine test.
If the urine test is also positive, you will likely be terminated or not hired unless you tested positive for marijuana and you are not a driver.
In the end, it’s up to the Amazon manager.
Can You Still Get Hired if You Fail a Drug Test at Amazon?
Since Amazon has relaxed its policy on marijuana, you can fail the marijuana portion of a drug test and still be hired.
But this decision is at the discretion of Amazon, usually the manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have more questions about drug testing and Amazon, check out the commonly asked questions below.
Does Amazon test for alcohol?
No!
Amazon does not test employees for alcohol anymore.
They have also stopped testing most employees for marijuana, excluding drivers who are subject to rules set out by the Department of Transportation.
Does Walmart drug test?
Yes, Walmart drug tests new hires and performs random drug tests on their current employees.
They generally do urine tests and perform five-panel drug screenings.
And they will terminate an employee if they test positive for marijuana, so Amazon is currently much more relaxed with its drug policy.
Wrapping Up
Right now, Amazon’s drug test policy is confusing because it’s in flux.
Once upon a time, every Amazon employee was tested during the hiring process and then randomly after.
But Amazon has evolved its policy to only drug test employees required by law, those associated with the Department of Transportation.
Currently, only drivers are guaranteed drug tests, and other employees are less likely to receive any drug test unless something suspicious happens.
