Tag: 2026 random testing rates

FRA Announces 2026 Random Drug & Alcohol Testing Rates for Railroad Employees & Contractors

Written by azcdt on January 8, 2026. Posted in Drug Testing.

Effective January 8, 2026 — The Federal Railroad Administration has set minimum random testing rates for the new calendar year. Railroad carriers and contractors subject to FRA Part 219 regulations must meet these minimums across three employee categories: Covered Service, Maintenance-of-Way (MOW), and Mechanical (MECH).

2026 Rates at a Glance

Covered Service Employees and Contractors
Drug: 25% | Alcohol: 10%
No change from 2025.

Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Employees and Contractors
Drug: 25% | Alcohol: 10%
No change from 2025.

Mechanical (MECH) Employees and Contractors
Drug: 50% | Alcohol: 10%
Alcohol rate lowered from 25% to 10%.

View the complete Federal Register notice →

The only adjustment for 2026 is the reduction in the alcohol testing rate for Mechanical employees and contractors—dropping from 25 percent to 10 percent. Drug testing for MECH employees and contractors remains at 50 percent, reflecting industry-wide positive rates above the 1.0 percent threshold in 2023 and 2024.

How FRA Sets Annual Rates

FRA reviews the prior two complete calendar years of Management Information System (MIS) data submitted by railroads. If the industry-wide random drug positive rate stays below 1.0 percent, the Administrator may reduce the minimum drug testing rate to 25 percent. If the random alcohol violation rate remains below 0.5 percent, the minimum alcohol testing rate may drop to 10 percent.

For Covered Service and MOW employees and contractors, both drug and alcohol rates stayed below these thresholds in 2023 and 2024, so their minimums remain unchanged. MECH employees and contractors—who entered FRA random testing in 2022—now have two full years of MIS data. While drug positives exceeded 1.0 percent, alcohol violations stayed below 0.5 percent, triggering the 2026 reduction.

What Railroads Must Do

Meet the minimums. These are floor rates; you may test at higher percentages to support your safety culture and compliance posture.

Spread selections through the year. Randoms must be unannounced and distributed across all four quarters.

Document everything. FRA auditors expect proof of scientifically valid selections, timely notifications, completion tracking, and annual MIS submissions.

Keep pools accurate. Only safety-sensitive employees in the relevant category belong in each random pool. Separate Covered Service, MOW, and MECH populations—and never mix DOT and non-DOT employees or contractors.

AZCDT Manages FRA Programs End-to-End

AZCDT operates compliant FRA random programs for railroads of every size. We maintain distinct pools by employee category, run quarterly selections with proper statistical distribution, coordinate nationwide testing, track completions, and deliver annual MIS reports and audit packets.

What’s included:

Immediate enrollment and membership certificates
Quarterly random drug and alcohol selections for Covered Service, MOW, and Mechanical employees at the correct 2026 rates
All required random tests included in the annual fee
Nationwide collection site network
MRO review and secure results portal
Supervisor reasonable-suspicion training
Full audit support and documentation

Ready to streamline your 2026 FRA compliance?

Enroll Now | Contact Our Team

For answers to common questions about FRA testing programs, visit our Drug and Alcohol Testing FAQs.

To learn more about what sets AZC Drug Testing apart, explore Our Difference or read reviews from our clients.

Call us or enroll online to get started

Reference: Federal Register, Vol. 91, No. 5 (January 8, 2026). FRA Docket No. FRA–2001–11213, Notice No. 30. Rates effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.Read the official FRA notice.

FAA Random Testing Rates for 2026 Drug and Alcohol Testing Random Rates for Aviation Industry Announced

Written by azcdt on December 8, 2025. Posted in Drug Testing, Consortium Enrollment.

FAA Announces 2026 Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates for Aviation Industry

Written by azcdt on December 8, 2025. Posted in Drug Testing.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that the minimum random drug and alcohol testing rates for safety-sensitive aviation employees will remain unchanged for calendar year 2026.

Published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2025 (Docket No. FAA-2013-0259), the announcement establishes the following rates effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026:

Random Drug Testing: 25%

Random Alcohol Testing: 10%

The Data Behind the Decision

The FAA Administrator’s decision on annual testing rates is driven by industry-wide testing data, as outlined in 14 CFR Part 120.

For drug testing, 14 CFR 120.109(b) establishes that the Administrator bases rate decisions on the reported random drug test positive rate across the entire aviation industry. If that rate remains below 1.00%, the Administrator may continue the minimum random drug testing rate at 25%.

According to the FAA notice, the 2024 random drug test positive rate was 0.816%, well below the threshold that would trigger an increase.

Similarly, 14 CFR 120.217(c) governs alcohol testing rates. The decision hinges on the random alcohol test violation rate. If that rate stays below 0.50%, the Administrator may continue the minimum random alcohol testing rate at 10%.

The 2024 random alcohol test violation rate came in at 0.131%, significantly below the threshold.

These favorable industry numbers allow aviation employers to maintain their current testing protocols without rate increases for 2026.

Who Must Comply

The 25% drug and 10% alcohol random testing rates apply to all employers and employees regulated under 14 CFR Part 120. This encompasses:

Part 121 air carriers conducting scheduled passenger and cargo operations

Part 135 air taxi and commuter operators

Part 145 repair stations

Other entities with employees performing safety-sensitive aviation functions

Safety-sensitive positions include flight crewmembers, flight attendants, flight instructors, aircraft dispatchers, aircraft maintenance and preventive maintenance personnel, ground security coordinators, aviation screeners, and air traffic controllers.

If your organization falls under FAA jurisdiction, your drug and alcohol testing program must achieve these minimum random testing rates across the calendar year.

Maintaining Compliance in 2026

Meeting the 25% drug and 10% alcohol thresholds requires systematic random selection processes that are scientifically valid, properly documented, and spread throughout the year. Every covered employee must have an equal chance of selection during each testing period.

Aviation employers must also ensure their programs address all required testing categories beyond randoms:

Pre-employment drug testing

Post-accident testing when FAA criteria are met

Reasonable suspicion testing when trained supervisors observe signs of impairment

Return-to-duty testing following violations

Follow-up testing as directed by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)

Documentation is critical. Your records must demonstrate that selections were random, notifications were provided, tests were completed within required timeframes, and results were properly reviewed by a qualified Medical Review Officer (MRO).

For organizations managing contractors or multiple entities under their drug and alcohol program, ensuring all covered employees are included in appropriate testing pools adds another layer of complexity.

The Role of Supervisor Training

FAA regulations require that supervisors who may need to make reasonable suspicion determinations receive proper drug and alcohol recognition training. This training must cover the physical, behavioral, and performance indicators of probable drug use and alcohol misuse.

If your supervisors have not completed this training, or if certifications have lapsed, addressing this gap should be a priority before the new year begins. AZC Drug Testing offers both online and classroom-based supervisor training programs that meet DOT requirements.

How azcdt.com Supports FAA Compliance

AZC Drug Testing provides turnkey FAA Part 120 compliance services for air carriers, repair stations, and aviation service providers nationwide.

Our comprehensive program includes:

Immediate enrollment and membership certificates
All random drug and alcohol testing included in your annual fee
Quarterly random selections managed and documented
Contractor oversight support for organizations managing multiple entities
MIS guidance and annual statistical reporting
Laboratory and Medical Review Officer services
Access to over 10,000 collection sites across the country
Complete audit support and documentation packages

We also serve employers regulated by other DOT modes, including FMCSA, FRA, FTA, PHMSA, and USCG. If your organization operates across multiple modes, we can manage distinct pools and rate requirements under a single compliance partnership.

Learn More on Our Podcast

Curious about how random testing programs actually work? Tune in to Talking the Wiz Quiz: An HR Guide to Drug Testing, hosted by Gary and Lori Oschmann of AZC Drug Testing.

Episode 2: Understanding Random Drug Testing + Consortiums explains the mechanics of random selection pools, the role of Consortium/Third-Party Administrators (C/TPAs), and how employers can simplify compliance while staying audit-ready.

Whether you are new to DOT compliance or a seasoned HR professional, this podcast delivers practical insights in plain English.

Listen to the Podcast | Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, and iHeart.

Get Started with FAA Compliance

Ready to simplify your aviation drug and alcohol testing program?

Enroll Now | Contact Our Team

For answers to common questions about DOT testing programs, visit our Drug and Alcohol Testing FAQs.

To learn more about what sets AZC Drug Testing apart, explore Our Difference or read reviews from our clients.

Source: Federal Register, December 5, 2025, Docket No. FAA-2013-0259

2026 PHMSA Random Testing Rate Announcement

Written by azcdt on December 8, 2025. Posted in Consortium Enrollment, Drug Testing.

PHMSA Confirms 2026 Drug Testing Rate for Pipeline Industry

Written by azcdt on December 8, 2025. Posted in Drug Testing.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has officially announced that the minimum annual random drug testing rate will remain at 50% for covered employees in the pipeline industry throughout calendar year 2026.

Published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2025 (Docket No. PHMSA-2025-1107), this decision directly impacts thousands of operators and contractors across the nation’s pipeline infrastructure.

Why the Rate Remains at 50%

PHMSA’s decision stems from a review of 2024 Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) reports, which revealed a random drug testing positive rate greater than 1%.

Under 49 CFR 199.105(c)(4), when industry-wide data shows positive rates at or above the 1% threshold, the Administrator must maintain the minimum annual random drug testing rate at 50% of all covered employees.

The regulatory framework does allow for potential rate reductions. According to 49 CFR 199.105(c)(3), if the reported positive drug test rate falls below 1% for two consecutive calendar years, the Administrator may lower the random drug testing rate to 25%. However, based on the most recent DAMIS submissions, this criterion has not been met.

Why the Rate Remains at 50%

The 50% random drug testing requirement applies to operators of gas pipeline facilities, hazardous liquid pipeline facilities that transport petroleum products and other regulated materials, carbon dioxide pipeline facilities, liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants, and underground natural gas storage facilities.

Both operators and contractors performing covered functions must ensure they meet this testing threshold throughout 2026. This includes anyone performing operations, maintenance, or emergency response functions on covered pipeline facilities.

All covered employers must maintain compliant drug and alcohol testing programs that achieve the required random testing rate.

Key Compliance Dates

The 50% minimum random drug testing rate takes effect January 1, 2026 and remains in force through December 31, 2026.

Operators should review their current random selection rates to ensure their programs will achieve the 50% threshold across the full calendar year. Those working with a DOT consortium program should confirm their pool management and selection processes are calibrated accordingly.

DAMIS Reporting Requirements

All operators and contractors must submit annual DAMIS reports as required by 49 CFR 199.119(a). These reports provide the aggregate data PHMSA uses to calculate industry-wide positive rates and determine future testing rate adjustments.

The DAMIS system now requires Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all submissions. If you have not yet updated your DAMIS login credentials, you should do so before your next reporting deadline to avoid access issues.

Accurate DAMIS reporting is critical not only for your own compliance documentation but for the industry’s collective ability to potentially qualify for reduced testing rates in future years.

What This Means for Your Compliance Program

Maintaining a 50% random testing rate requires careful planning and execution. Selections must be spread throughout the calendar year, and all covered employees must have an equal chance of selection during each testing period.

For operators managing their own programs, this means tracking your covered employee count, documenting each random selection, ensuring timely test completions, and maintaining records that demonstrate compliance during audits.

Working with an experienced Consortium/Third-Party Administrator (C/TPA) can significantly reduce the administrative burden. A qualified C/TPA handles pool management, random selections, result tracking, and provides the documentation needed for PHMSA audits and DAMIS submissions.

How azcdt.com Supports PHMSA Compliance

AZC Drug Testing provides comprehensive PHMSA drug and alcohol testing services designed to keep pipeline operators and contractors fully compliant.

Our program includes:

Immediate enrollment and membership certificates
All random drug testing included in your annual fee
Quarterly random selections managed and documented
DAMIS reporting support
Laboratory and Medical Review Officer (MRO) services
Access to over 10,000 collection sites nationwide
Complete audit support and documentation

With over 25 years of experience managing DOT compliance programs across all six modes, including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, and USCG, we understand the nuances of mode-specific requirements and keep our clients audit-ready year-round.

Learn More on Our Podcast

Want to understand how random testing and consortium programs work? Listen to Talking the Wiz Quiz: An HR Guide to Drug Testing, hosted by Gary and Lori Oschmann.

Episode 2: Understanding Random Drug Testing + Consortiums breaks down how random selection pools work, what employers need to know about compliance, and how partnering with a C/TPA simplifies the process.

Listen to the Podcast | Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, and iHeart.

Get Started with PHMSA Compliance

Whether you are establishing a new program or transitioning from another provider, AZC Drug Testing makes enrollment fast and straightforward.

Enroll Now | Contact Our Team

Have questions about DOT drug and alcohol testing? Check out our FAQs or call our corporate office at 520-745-1029.

Source: Federal Register, December 9, 2025, Docket No. PHMSA-2025-1107