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Author: csdesign

A patient signing an AZC drug testing form

How Long Does a Background Check Take?

Written by csdesign on . Posted in Background Screenings.

How long does a background check take? Whether you’re a job applicant eagerly awaiting a final offer of employment or a hiring manager who needs to expand the company’s roster of talent, you may want to know exactly how long you’ll have to wait. Unfortunately, there is no universal answer to the question, “How long does a background check take?” It depends on the specific types of background screenings selected by the organization.

Average Completion Times for Background Checks

Job candidates who have applied to positions at law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), should expect to wait a long time—about a month or longer. However, most job applicants and hiring managers can expect to receive the background screening report within a few days to a week. This is dependent upon the exact type of screenings requested.

For example, it may take one to three days to receive a motor vehicle report (MVR), depending on the state. A Social Security number trace may take one or two days. A criminal background check typically averages a few days, and so does a fingerprint check. If time is of the essence, you can ask the company for an expected turnaround time when you submit the background check request.

Possible Reasons for a Longer Wait Time

The answers to the question, “How long does a background check take?” may not apply in certain situations. There are a number of reasons why it might take longer than usual to run a background check. For instance, the employer is required to obtain release forms signed by the job applicant. Without those release forms, the background check agency cannot move forward.

It’s also common for a job applicant to have aliases. For instance, “Daniel” may also be known as “Dan” or “Danny.” If multiple variations of a name have been used, the agency will need to meticulously comb through the records to ensure they are matching the right info to the right person.

To reduce the possibility of a delay, employers should ensure that all information they provide to the agency is correct and complete. Employers must also ensure that they have the job applicant sign the proper release forms.

Do you need to run a background check on a job applicant? AZC Drug Testing offers a comprehensive range of background check services, which are fully customizable to your specific needs and preferences. Contact us today and enjoy hiring with confidence.

Liquid being placed into a test tube for drug testing

Does Alcohol Show Up on a Drug Test?

Written by csdesign on . Posted in Drug Testing.

If you’re an employer or human resources (HR) professional who is planning a workplace drug testing program, or if you’re an individual employee or owner-operator, you should know what drug test panels can detect. There are multiple types of drug tests, including varying types of alcohol tests. The answer to the question, “Does alcohol show up on a drug test?” isn’t universal, as it depends on the type of test the individual is undergoing.

Taking a Look at DOT Drug and Alcohol Tests

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires a five-panel drug test that can detect marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines and methamphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). Although this standard drug test does not check for alcohol, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions are also required to submit to an alcohol test. So, essentially, yes, DOT-regulated workers do need to be mindful that they can be tested for alcohol use.

Understanding the Types of Alcohol Tests

Many people are familiar with alcohol breath tests, as police officers frequently use these during traffic stops. An alcohol breath test can detect the presence of alcohol for up to 24 hours after consumption. Urine tests are also commonly used. These can detect the presence of alcohol for 10 to 12 hours after consumption. Other types of alcohol tests include blood (alcohol detectable for up to 12 hours), saliva (alcohol detectable for one to five days), and hair tests (alcohol detectable for up to 90 days).

Consuming Alcohol When Off-Duty

Note that although some of these alcohol tests are quite sensitive and can detect alcohol for a long time after its consumption, this doesn’t necessarily spell problems for an employee. It’s not a violation of regulations for employees 21 years and older to consume alcohol when off duty and outside a certain window of time before going on duty. These rules vary according to DOT modes. For instance, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-regulated pilot cannot consume any alcohol for eight hours prior to going on duty. This eight-hour “from bottle to throttle” rule is the minimum; the FAA recommends a full 24 hours between drinking and going on duty.

Similarly, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prohibits commercial drivers from drinking within four hours of going on duty. “Going on duty” includes wait times at loading docks, truck inspections and maintenance duties, and cargo loading and unloading—not just driving.

Still not sure about the answer to the question, “Does alcohol show up on a drug test?” Contact AZC Drug Testing for more information.

Blue and green circle with the text AZC inside next to the phrase "Drug Testing"

Acquisition of Collection Sites

Written by csdesign on . Posted in Company News.

On November 1, 2021 AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services acquired the five collection sites and assets of Arizona based AZ Clinical Services, LLC and their sister company America Drug Testing, LLC. We have rebranded their sites in Avondale, Chandler, Peoria, Phoenix, and Sierra Vista as AZC Drug Testing

Judges gavel in front of a bookshelf

How Does AZ Prop 207 Passing Effect Employers?

Written by csdesign on . Posted in Drug Free Workplace, Drug Testing.

On November 3rd 2020 Arizona voters passed Proposition 207, legalizing the use of recreational marijuana in Arizona.  Many companies are asking how does this affect both our Department of Transportation regulated and our drug free workplace drug testing programs.  The short answer is it should have very little impact on your existing drug & alcohol testing program.

Testing programs mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation for safety-sensitive employees fall under Federal law, which supersedes State regulations, with respect to these employees.  The Department of Transportation’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation, 49 CFR Part 40, does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.  USDOT does not permit a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to verify a drug test as negative based upon learning that the employee used “recreational marijuana”, “medical marijuana”, or a CBD product.

Proposition 207 amends Title 36 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.  A.R.S. 36-2851 addresses employers, driving, minors, control of property, and smoking in public places and open spaces.  A.R.S. 36-2851 does not restrict the rights of employers to maintain a drug and alcohol free workplace or affect the ability of employers to have workplace policies restricting the use of marijuana by employees or prospective employees.  It does not require an employer to allow or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale, or cultivation of marijuana in a place of employment.  It does not allow driving, flying, or boating while impaired to even the slightest degree by marijuana.

Our recommendation is that you read through your existing company drug & alcohol testing policy and update it with language to reflect that your company does not permit or allow the use of medical marijuana or recreational marijuana by its employees.  It is advisable to have your attorney review your policy to ensure that it is compliant with all State regulations relating to drug free workplace programs and recreational & medical marijuana.