What Happens if You Test Positive on a Pre-Employment Drug Test?

The current jobs market’s hiring process involves a wide range of checks to ensure employers hire the best candidate possible. This includes background checks to verify candidates’ employment history, credentials, criminal records, and other details, as well as drug tests to ensure they’re not using illicit drugs or abusing substances.

Drug tests are typically required when the candidate undergoes a background check. These tests screen for illicit substances, certain prescription drugs, and, in rare cases, alcohol. Drug tests are conducted to confirm that the candidate doesn’t have a substance abuse problem and won’t pose a safety risk to themselves and others at the workplace.

Many candidates pass pre-employment drug tests as part of the hiring process without sweat, but not everyone has the same outcome. Our article will cover what happens if you test positive on a pre-employment drug test. Read on to find out what to expect after testing positive on a drug test for work.

I Tested Positive on a Pre-Employment Drug Test, Now What?

If you’ve tested positive on a pre-employment drug test, you failed it. While this is an obvious thing to say, you should start having realistic expectations about getting the job after testing positive.

There will be different outcomes depending on the substance you tested positive for, your location, and the employer’s hiring policies. Below, we’ll review some of the typical outcomes you can expect after testing positive on a pre-employment drug test.

Withdrawn Job Offer

If what you tested positive is an illegal substance, the employer will withdraw their job offer. Most companies maintain a strict, zero-tolerance policy for illicit substances, and you won’t be hired.

While this is bad enough on its own, many employers keep records of applicants who tested positive on a pre-employment drug test to ensure those who tested positive won’t be considered for in the future. This may also make you ineligible for future applications.

Retaking Drug Test

Pre-employment drug tests aren’t always accurate, and false positives can happen. Some employers have specific policies that allow candidates to request a re-test within a week or two.

Depending on the employer, you may be allowed to retake the pre-employment drug test after testing positive. If you pass the second drug test, the employer may keep the job offer in place after withdrawing it based on the results of the initial one.

Being Blacklisted

Although this doesn’t happen with all jobs, employers in specific industries, such as the ones regulated by the Department of Transportation, may enter your drug test results into a shared database to blacklist you from the industry.

This might eliminate the likelihood of getting a job in the industry for a specified period, typically for a few years.

What to Do After Testing Positive on a Pre-Employment Drug Test

If you’ve tested positive on a pre-employment drug test, there isn’t much you can do other than request a re-test. However, even if you do a re-test, nothing will change if you also test positive on the second pre-employment drug test. Since most substances can remain in your system for up to 90 days, consider applying for jobs after remaining substance-free.

Alternatively, you can focus on jobs that don’t drug test. Although the pay and the benefits for these positions may be less favorable than the ones that drug test, it can help you gain employment sooner.

Do Failed Drug Tests Show Up on Background Checks?

Background checks include a wide range of information. While details like criminal records and employment history are a principal part of background checks, they don’t include past drug test results.

Drug test results are considered medical information, and employers must keep them confidential. Employers are prohibited by law to disclose the results of a drug test, whether an employee or candidate tests positive or negative.

The same applies to employers who contribute specific databases that include candidates who tested positive on pre-employment drug tests. They cannot disclose this information to unauthorized parties or use it for purposes other than compliance with regulations.

Will There Be Legal Charges if You Test Positive on a Pre-Employment Drug Test?

You won’t be charged with drug possession if you test positive on a pre-employment drug test. It isn’t sufficient enough to charge someone for drug possession. However, any past drug-related charges will appear on a pre-employment background check. These can be just as important as a drug test and may be a reason for the employer to disqualify you, especially if you have them both as positive.

To know if any drug-related offenses will appear on your pre-employment background check, run one on yourself. You can use a free people look up website like FreePeopleSearch to conduct an online background check to see your criminal history pulled from public records. It can help you gain valuable insights into your past and how it might reflect on future employment.