Does an MRO Review Negative DOT Drug Test Results?

Yes. Under 49 CFR 40.127, the MRO reviews negative laboratory results before verifying them and releasing them to the DER. The MRO reviews Copy 2 of the CCF for fatal or correctable errors that may require corrective action or cancellation of the test, and checks that the negative laboratory result is consistent with the information on the CCF.

Before reporting a negative result, the MRO must have Copy 2 of the CCF, a legible copy of it or another CCF copy with the employee's signature, along with a legible copy of Copy 1 of the CCF or the electronic laboratory results report. If a copy is unclear, the MRO requests a legible one from the collector or laboratory. The MRO then checks the Negative box in Step 6 of Copy 2, provides the MRO's name, and signs, initials or stamps and dates the verification statement.

Under 40.127(g), staff under the MRO's direct, personal supervision may perform these administrative functions, but only the MRO can cancel a test. The MRO must personally review at least 5 percent of all CCFs reviewed by staff each quarter, including all results that required a corrective action, but need not review more than 500 negative results of all specimen types combined in any quarter. The MRO initials the CCFs reviewed and keeps them easily identifiable and retrievable for review by DOT agencies.

Under 49 CFR 40.123(b)(1), the MRO is not required to review laboratory internal chain of custody documentation, and no one is permitted to cancel a test because the MRO did not review it.

Negative results with a dilute finding are covered in What Does a Negative-Dilute DOT Drug Test Result Mean?, and MRO record retention in How Long Must an MRO Keep DOT Drug Test Records?.

Unclaimed MRO listings in the MyDrugTesting.com directory carry a Claim Profile link for the provider.