Take the guesswork out of panel selection
Drug Test Panel Configuration for Colorado Employers
The substances on your panel determine whether your testing program actually reflects your workplace risks. A generic standard panel is a starting point, not a finished product — and for most non-DOT employers, the default configuration was built for a different industry than yours. PROCOM configures custom drug test panels for Colorado employers across every industry, at no setup cost, tied directly to your company account, so every test runs the right configuration automatically.
Is a custom panel right for your program?
Which Employers Benefit Most from Custom Panel Configuration
Panel configuration matters most for employers whose industry exposes workers to substances that standard panels don’t test for, or for employers whose policy doesn’t align with what standard panels test for. If either of those describes your situation, a custom panel is worth configuring before your next hire.
If your workforce operates in healthcare, oil and gas, construction, drug rehabilitation, or any environment with access to specific controlled substances, a panel built around your actual risk profile gives you more relevant results than a generic configuration. Standard panels were not designed with your industry in mind. A custom panel is.
Colorado employers who do not take employment action on positive THC results are paying for a test outcome they will not act on. More importantly, a positive THC result triggers MRO review and secondary lab confirmation, which delays your hiring timeline regardless of the final outcome. Removing THC from your panel eliminates that delay and produces faster, more relevant results for your program.
If your organization runs both federally regulated and non-regulated employees, your DOT staff must receive the mandated federal panel. Your non-DOT staff does not. PROCOM manages both configurations under the same company account, so your regulated and non-regulated programs run in parallel without confusion or administrative overhead. This contributes greatly to perceived equity amongst your team.
If you are setting up a company testing account for the first time, panel configuration is the first decision. PROCOM walks you through the options, recommends a configuration based on your industry and workforce, and gets your account set up before your first test is ordered.
What we configure for your program
Drug Test Panel Configurations PROCOM Builds for Employers
PROCOM works directly with lab partners to configure panels to employer specifications. Each configuration is assigned a panel ID tied to your company account. There is no additional setup charge, and there is no minimum order volume once your account is active.
DOT Mirror Panel
The most requested non-DOT configuration across PROCOM’s client base. Tests for the same five drug groups as the federal DOT panel — marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP, using the same cutoff levels, were administered outside the DOT regulatory framework. For employers who want a defensible, well-established baseline, this is the most practical starting point. It is familiar to employees and managers, withstands HR scrutiny, yet does not feed into the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
THC-Removed Panel
Configured for non-DOT employers who do not enforce marijuana policies or operate in roles where a positive THC result would not trigger employment action. When THC is removed from your panel, positive results do not require MRO review or secondary confirmation testing, which means faster turnaround and no delays to your hiring decisions for an outcome you would not act on anyway. PROCOM substitutes another substance — most commonly benzodiazepines — to maintain the same panel count. For a detailed breakdown of when and why to remove THC, see our custom panel guide.
Healthcare and Medical Facility Panels
Clinics, hospitals, and healthcare providers need panels that go beyond standard drug groups to detect the specific prescription drugs and injectables their employees have direct access to. Healthcare workers have documented proximity to controlled substances that standard panels do not cover, including certain injectables and prescription pain medications. PROCOM configures healthcare panels based on the substances actually present in your clinical environment, rather than applying a generic standard to a specialized setting.
Oil, Gas, and Pipeline Panels
Operators working on federally contracted rigs and pipeline environments often require panels that exceed federal standards. One widely used configuration in this sector is known as the Exxon Panel, an expanded configuration developed in response to employees shifting to synthetic cannabinoids when standard THC detection became common. This panel covers synthetic cannabinoids alongside the standard drug groups and is used as a program baseline in many pipeline and rig environments across Colorado and nationally.
Drug Rehabilitation Facility Panels
10-Panel Configuration
The standard 10-panel builds on the DOT mirror panel by adding five additional substance groups: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone, and propoxyphene. It is commonly used by non-DOT employers who want broader prescription drug coverage than the standard 5-panel provides. Many employers in healthcare, construction, and logistics use this as their baseline configuration. Fentanyl is increasingly being added as an additional position for employers in industries with documented exposure risk, though this does increase per-test cost. For a full breakdown of what each panel position covers, see our 10-panel drug test guide.
Fully Custom Configurations
If your industry or risk profile does not fit a named configuration, PROCOM builds a panel from scratch to your specifications. Common additions include fentanyl, benzodiazepines, tramadol, buprenorphine, expanded amphetamine compounds, barbiturates, and synthetic cannabinoids. Labs can configure from approximately 50 testable substances, each with multiple cutoff level options. Setup takes one to two weeks for new configurations and carries no additional charge.
Specimen Types for Your Panel Configuration
Panel configuration determines what you test for. The specimen type determines how the sample is collected, what detection window applies, and which testing scenarios each method is best suited to. Most PROCOM panel configurations are available across all collection methods.
Urine is the most widely used method for both DOT and non-DOT programs. It is the least expensive per test, available at most walk-in collection sites in PROCOM’s nationwide network, and is the only method currently accepted for federally mandated DOT drug testing. For standard workplace testing, pre-employment screening, and random selections, urine remains the practical default.
PROCOM offers both instant point-of-collection testing and lab-based testing for urine screens. Instant testing provides on-the-spot results for negative screens, while lab-based testing provides a full chain-of-custody result suitable for all compliance purposes.
For a full overview of PROCOM’s collection and testing capabilities, see the Screening & Testing Capabilities page.
Hair follicle testing
Provides a 90-day detection window, compared to a few days to a week for urine testing. It is most commonly used for pre-employment screening in high-liability industries, safety-sensitive roles, or positions with significant financial responsibility. Hair testing cannot be used for DOT-regulated collections, but is a strong non-DOT option for employers who need a longer use history. Note that when head hair is insufficient, body hair collection is required, and many collection sites charge surcharges for body hair collections on top of standard pricing.
Oral fluid testing
Detects recent use rather than historical exposure, with a detection window of approximately 24 to 48 hours for most substances. This makes it particularly useful for post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing, where establishing whether current or recent impairment contributed to an incident is the primary goal. Oral fluid testing is not currently approved for federally mandated DOT drug testing under FMCSA, though federal authorization has been in progress.
On-site and mobile collection
Is available for any panel configuration and any specimen type. PROCOM brings certified collection directly to your location, which is practical for post-accident testing, large pre-employment hiring events, random selections across a large team, or employers whose workers cannot easily reach a collection site. For employers in rural Colorado or remote site environments, on-site collection is often the only realistic option for time-sensitive tests.
Transparent pricing with no surprises
Industries We Serve
PROCOM configures and manages testing panels for employers across Colorado’s major industries, both DOT-regulated and non-DOT. Our experience across these sectors means we understand the specific substances, compliance requirements, and risk profiles relevant to your workforce, not just drug testing in the abstract.
DOT-Regulated Industries
Trucking & Transportation (FMCSA), Pipeline & Hazardous Materials (PHMSA), Aviation (FAA), Railroad (FRA), Maritime (USCG), Public Transit (FTA)
Non-DOT Industries
Oil & Gas / Energy, Healthcare & Medical Facilities, Construction & Heavy Equipment, Public Entities — Schools, Cities & Counties, Drug Rehabilitation Facilities, Manufacturing & Warehousing
Not sure whether your workforce falls under DOT or non-DOT requirements? Contact PROCOM, and we will walk you through the determination based on your business type, the roles involved, and the applicable modal agency.
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Why employers configure through PROCOM
One Partner for Panel Setup, Account Management, and Ongoing Testing
PROCOM manages the full process from initial panel configuration through ongoing test ordering, result reporting, and compliance recordkeeping. Your panel is the foundation. The program is everything built on top of it.
No Setup Cost, No Minimum Volume
Direct Lab Relationships
Separate Configurations for Regulated and Non-Regulated Employees
If your organization runs both DOT and non-DOT employees, PROCOM manages separate panel configurations under the same company account. Your regulated employees receive the federally mandated panel. Your non-regulated employees receive your custom configuration. One account, two compliant programs, one point of contact.
Full Program Management Behind Your Panel
For employers who also need consortium enrollment, random selection management, MRO services, and Clearinghouse compliance, PROCOM manages the full testing program under the same account. Panel configuration is the first step. For everything that follows, see Consortium & TPA Services.
Other Businesses See the PROCOM Path to Success
What Compliance Managers and Safety Teams Say About PROCOM
Common questions about drug test panel configuration
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about drug panel configuration, how to choose the right testing panel for your organization, and how PROCOM helps you stay compliant with federal and industry requirements.
Can a non-DOT employer use the same panel as a DOT test?
Yes, and it is the most common configuration PROCOM sets up for non-DOT employers. The DOT mirror panel uses the same five drug groups and cutoff levels as the federal standard, administered outside the regulatory framework. It does not feed into the FMCSA Clearinghouse and does not carry any DOT compliance obligations.
Does changing my panel change the per-test cost?
Per-test cost is set by the lab based on the specific substances in your configuration. Removing one substance and adding another typically results in a comparable per-test price. Significantly expanding a panel will increase cost. PROCOM confirms per-test pricing once your configuration is finalized. For a full cost breakdown by panel type and specimen, see our drug test cost guide.
How long does a custom panel setup take?
One to two weeks for new configurations. If the configuration already exists in the lab system, setup can proceed more quickly. There is no charge for setup regardless of complexity.
What happens if I need to update my panel later?
Panels can be reconfigured at any time. If your requirements change or you want to adjust your policy, PROCOM works with the lab to update the configuration. The same one to two-week timeline applies to new configurations.
Do DOT and non-DOT employees need to be on separate panels?
Yes. DOT employees must receive the federally mandated 5-panel under 49 CFR Part 40. Non-DOT employees receive your configured panel. PROCOM manages both under the same company account, with separate configurations running independently.
Is there a minimum order volume to use a custom panel?
No. Once your company account is configured, you order tests as needed with no minimum volume.
How does PROCOM handle panel configuration for employers with multiple locations?
Your panel configuration is tied to your company account, not to a specific location. Employees across all your locations draw from the same configured panel, regardless of which collection site they use or which state they are in.
What is the difference between a panel and a program?
Your panel defines what substances each test screens for. Your program covers everything around the test — how employees are selected, how collections are scheduled, how results are reported, and how your records are maintained for compliance. PROCOM manages both. Panel configuration is the starting point for building a full program.
Does my panel configuration apply to all test types? (pre-employment, random, post-accident, and return-to-duty)
Yes. Your configured panel applies across all testing reasons under your company account. The one exception is return-to-duty testing, which must be directly observed regardless of panel configuration. Directly observed collections carry a site premium above standard per-test rates at most collection sites.
Expert Solutions for Effective Drug and Alcohol Testing Management
Choose the Right Drug Panel Configuration with PROCOM’s TPA Services
Partnering with PROCOM means having a dedicated team of experts by your side to design and manage your custom drug testing panels. Whether you need DOT mirror panels, expanded non-DOT panels, or industry-specific configurations, we ensure your program is compliant, cost-effective, and tailored to your needs. Let us handle the complexities of panel setup and management so you can focus on what you do best.