The Short Answer
For most San Diego employers running a basic pre-employment or random testing program, a 5-panel test covers what you need. If your industry involves healthcare, finance, law, or any role where employees may have access to prescription medications, the 10-panel gives you broader coverage.
What Does a 5-Panel Test Screen For?
The 5-panel urine drug test is the most widely used workplace drug screen in the United States. It detects the following substance categories:
- THC — Marijuana and cannabis products
- Cocaine — Cocaine and crack cocaine metabolites
- Opiates — Heroin, morphine, codeine
- Amphetamines / Methamphetamine — Including MDMA (Ecstasy)
- PCP — Phencyclidine (Angel Dust)
Our Non-DOT 5-panel rapid urine screen is $50 and results are available on-site before our collector leaves your location.
What Does a 10-Panel Test Add?
The 10-panel screen includes everything in the 5-panel plus five additional categories:
- Benzodiazepines — Xanax, Valium, Klonopin
- Barbiturates — Phenobarbital, butalbital
- Methadone — Including methadone maintenance patients
- Propoxyphene — A pain reliever (largely removed from market but still tested)
- Methaqualone (Quaaludes) — A sedative
Our Non-DOT 10-panel rapid test is $65, also with on-site results.
Note on DOT Testing: If your employees are regulated by the Department of Transportation (CDL drivers, aviation, railroad, etc.), you do not choose your panel. The federal DOT 5-panel is mandated. See our DOT Testing page for details.
Which Panel Is Right for Your Business?
Most construction, transportation, retail, and manufacturing companies in San Diego do fine with the 5-panel. It covers the most common substances of abuse and satisfies most employment, insurance, and compliance requirements.
Consider the 10-panel if: your employees work in healthcare or pharmacy settings, you've had issues with prescription drug misuse, your workers' compensation carrier requires expanded coverage, or your industry involves cash handling, financial management, or sensitive access.
Cost Comparison: 5-Panel vs. 10-Panel in San Diego
Cost is a practical factor for employers running volume testing. At On Point Drug Testing Services, a non-DOT 5-panel rapid urine screen is $50 and a 10-panel rapid screen is $65 — a $15 difference per test. For a company running 20 pre-employment screens per year, that's $300 annually. For a staffing agency running 200 tests, it's $3,000.
The right call: if your industry or job function has no documented history of prescription drug misuse and your employees aren't in safety-sensitive roles, the 5-panel keeps costs manageable. If you're placing workers in healthcare, logistics, or any role involving controlled substance access, the 10-panel's additional coverage is worth the premium.
California AB 2188 and What It Changes for Employers
California's AB 2188, effective January 1, 2024, prohibits most employers from discriminating against employees or applicants based on off-duty cannabis use. Critically, the law applies to standard immunoassay tests that detect THC metabolites — the inactive byproduct that can remain in urine for weeks after impairment has ended.
However, AB 2188 does not eliminate drug testing. It simply means that a positive THC result on a urine screen alone cannot be the basis for adverse employment action for most workers. DOT-regulated employees (CDL drivers, aviation workers, etc.) remain fully subject to federal testing requirements regardless of California law. Pre-employment testing for safety-sensitive roles is also still permitted.
Practically, this means most San Diego employers should update their written drug-free workplace policies to reflect AB 2188, and work with legal counsel on how positive cannabis results will be handled. On Point can still collect and test — how you act on the result is the employer's responsibility under the new framework.
Common Employer Questions
Can I switch panels mid-program? Yes. You can run 5-panel for some positions and 10-panel for others. The panel type should be specified in your written drug-free workplace policy by job classification.
What if a rapid test is non-negative? A non-negative rapid result is not a confirmed positive. It means the specimen goes to a SAMHSA-certified laboratory for GC-MS confirmation. Only a confirmed lab result constitutes a positive under DOT and most employer policies.
Are there panels beyond 10? Yes — 12-panel and 14-panel tests exist and add substances like fentanyl, K2/synthetic cannabinoids, and tramadol. These are less common in standard employment programs but worth considering for healthcare, pain management, or high-risk industries. Ask about availability when booking.
How to Order in San Diego
Both tests are available for online ordering through our secure Square checkout page, or you can call us at 619-241-4415. We come to your location anywhere in San Diego County, 7 days a week, 7AM–7PM. Results are on-site — no waiting for lab turnaround on these rapid screens.