When You Will be Asked to Test: 

All individuals who are offered a position in a safety-sensitive job class are required to take and pass a drug/alcohol test.

If you are offered a position following an employment interview, you will be informed by the interviewing supervisor that you must schedule a drug test within 24 hours.

Hennepin County employees moving from a non-safety sensitive job class to a safety-sensitive job class must take this test as well.

NOTE: If you are hired in a position where you must carry a commercial Driver's License (CDL), you are covered by DOT Federal regulations for persons with CDL's.

Test Arrangements: 

The supervisor will call the collection site and schedule an appointment for you. If you live outside of the metro area, arrangements can be made for an appointment at a facility near you.

Helpful Information

Medical Review Officer:

All tests are reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to ensure that results are verified and explained. If the MRO contacts you, please cooperate so that your results can be processed promptly. The MRO has three working days to evaluate your test. You have those same three days to offer additional information not given at the time of your test.

What if I Refuse to Test?

You can refuse to take a drug/alcohol test. If you refuse, your name will be removed from the eligible list from which you were interviewed and you will not be allowed to reapply for the job class for at least one year from the date of refusal. You will not be asked to take a drug test unless you are officially offered a position.

Test Results: 

You will be notified of your test results from Hennepin County as soon as the results are available. Negative results will normally be processed within three business days. Positive results may take somewhat longer as a second, confirmatory test must be completed and a careful review conducted by the MRO.

If you receive notice of a positive result, you may:

  • Request, within five working days after notice, a second confirmatory test of the original sample. This second test may be done by the original testing lab or by another licensed testing laboratory (You may be asked to pay the laboratory in advance for this test).
  • If you test positive, your name will be removed from the eligible list and you will not be eligible to apply for any county position for at least two years. You will be notified of the details of your individual situation should this occur.

Why Drug & Alcohol Testing? 

In May 1990, in response to increased public awareness regarding the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol, and pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners passed a drug and alcohol testing policy.


Equal Opportunity Employer