How long did it take to get the results from a pre-employment drug test?

Question

I took a preemployment drug test for Walgreen's today. I'm curious as to how long it will take to get the results. Also, after Walgreen's receives the results what's next? Do they then perform the background check? What does the background check involve? Has this background check already been done? Thanks!

Answer 1

It depends on how the company submits their tests.  Some batch them & get weekly reports from the lab.  Others send them out each day.  My sister got notified within 5 days after she took a drug test for a job interview.

Most companies are trying to cut costs, so they probably won't do a background check until they get the drug test results.  The background check is similar to what is done on a credit check - all of that + a bit more like criminal record, if your job involves driving, then checking with DMV, etc.

Answer 2

It takes typically less than 48 hours, usually as little as 24 hours now.  

The results are emailed from the lab to the store manager's email so long as the results are negative (negative meaning that no drugs are involved.)

However, if the results are positive or pending, if you committed fraud at the test site, etc. etc.- it gets a lot more complicated.  In that case the details are forwarded to the Walgreens Medical Review Officer.  In those cases, it can take up to 2-4 weeks (or never) for the results to get back to the store manager at the store where you applied.

If they find prescription medication usage that you didn't disclose at the time of testing, they will usually call you to get confirmation of whether you have a prescription or not before reaching a final conclusion.

As far as the criminal background checks, that is already being done at the same time that the manager sends you for a drug test.  It goes into a national computer system and searches for criminal offenses.  It takes longer than the drug test results to come back however.  It usually takes about 3-5 business days for the results to come back on the criminal background check.  The results of the background check come back to the store manager's hiring application on his/her computer in the store.