Transition to Oral Fluid Testing as the New Corporate Standard
2026 marks the year that Oral Fluid (Saliva) Testing has surpassed urine testing as the preferred method for private-sector employers and is rapidly gaining ground in federal sectors.
Non-Invasive Collection: Saliva testing allows for direct supervision of the collection process without the privacy concerns associated with urine samples. This virtually eliminates "subversion" or "adulteration" (e.g., using synthetic urine).
Recent Use Detection: Saliva is superior for identifying recent drug use (6–24 hours), making it the ideal tool for reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing where immediate impairment is the primary concern.
HHS/DOT Status: While urine remains the legacy standard, the DOT's 2026 final rule allows for oral fluid testing as soon as the requisite number of laboratories are certified to process the samples, providing employers with much-needed flexibility in the field.