What is the difference between a 5-panel and a 10-panel drug test?

The panel number refers to how many different drug classes are screened in a single test. A 5-panel drug test (the most commonly required by federal employers and DOT regulations) screens for: Marijuana (THC), Cocaine, Opiates (codeine, morphine, heroin), Phencyclidine (PCP), and Amphetamines (including methamphetamine). A 10-panel drug test includes all five of the above, plus: Benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax), Barbiturates, Methadone, Propoxyphene, and Methaqualone. A 12-panel test may additionally screen for oxycodone, ecstasy (MDMA), and other substances. Employers can choose the panel level based on their industry, regulatory requirements, and specific concerns.