MRO Regulatory Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An employee presents a legitimate prescription for amphetamines and the specimen tests positive. What should the MRO report to the DER?
- Negative (Correct answer)
- Positive
- Cancelled
- Test Not Performed
Correct answer: Negative
A valid prescription that explains the positive laboratory result leads the MRO to report the result as negative.
Question 2: What is the minimum urine specimen volume required for a primary specimen to be considered a valid collection?
- 30 mL (Correct answer)
- 45 mL
- 15 mL
- 60 mL
Correct answer: 30 mL
DOT regulations require a minimum of 30 mL for a valid primary urine specimen collection.
Question 3: Under 49 CFR Part 40, which laboratory certification is required for federal workplace drug testing?
- SAMHSA/HHS certification (Correct answer)
- CAP accreditation only
- CLIA certification
- ISO 17025 accreditation
Correct answer: SAMHSA/HHS certification
Only HHS-certified (formerly SAMHSA-certified) laboratories may perform federal workplace urine drug testing.
Question 4: An MRO must keep records of all drug test results for a minimum of how many years?
- 5 years for positives, refusals, and cancelled tests; 1 year for negatives (Correct answer)
- 2 years for all results
- 10 years for all results
- 3 years for all results
Correct answer: 5 years for positives, refusals, and cancelled tests; 1 year for negatives
49 CFR Part 40 requires 5-year retention for positives/refusals/cancelled tests and 1 year for negatives.
Question 5: When an employee refuses to undergo a required DOT drug test, how should the MRO report this to the DER?
- The MRO reports it as a refusal to test, which is treated equivalent to a positive (Correct answer)
- The MRO reports it as a cancelled test
- The MRO reports it as a negative
- The MRO takes no action; the employer handles refusals independently
Correct answer: The MRO reports it as a refusal to test, which is treated equivalent to a positive
A refusal to test is treated the same as a positive result under DOT regulations and must be reported as such.
Question 6: Which of the following is the MRO required to review during the verification process?
- The Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF) (Correct answer)
- The employee's complete employment history
- The employer's safety-sensitive position description
- The collection site's CLIA certification
Correct answer: The Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF)
The MRO reviews the CCF for completeness and proper chain of custody documentation as part of verification.
Question 7: Under 49 CFR Part 40, which of the following is true regarding blind performance testing specimens?
- Employers must submit blind specimens quarterly at a rate of 1% of total specimens (Correct answer)
- Only the laboratory submits blind specimens to itself for quality control
- MROs must submit blind performance test specimens to validate lab results
- ODAPC submits blind specimens to all certified labs annually
Correct answer: Employers must submit blind specimens quarterly at a rate of 1% of total specimens
Employers participating in DOT-regulated testing must submit blind performance testing specimens at a 1% rate each quarter.
MRO Regulatory Compliance 3
An employee presents a legitimate prescription for amphetamines and the specimen tests positive.
What should the MRO report to the DER?