What does FAA urine test for?

A routine part of the FAA medical exam is a urinalysis to check for sugar or protein, indicators of possible diabetes or kidney disease. Even as a commercial pilot participating in the DOT/FAA drug testing program, a drug test is done independent of an aviation medical examination.



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According to CFR Part 40.85, the standard urine samples are tested for marijuana metabolites, cocaine metabolites, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP).

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Yes. The federal drug and alcohol testing regulations under 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40apply to all Part 119 certificate holders who are authorized to conduct operations under Part 135.

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Psychiatric Conditions. The use of a psychotropic drug is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes. This includes all sedatives, tranquilizers, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs (including SSRI's - see exceptions), analeptics, anxiolytics, and hallucinogens.

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Medical Problems
Unfortunately, some medical or health issues may cause you to fail the extensive medical examinations required to become a pilot. This includes certain heart diseases, conditions such as epilepsy, poor hearing, bad vision, and even common allergies, as certain allergy medications can make you drowsy.

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Employer Response to a Failed Drug Test The employer is required to immediately remove the pilot from safety sensitive duties, provide a list of Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP), and report the failed test to the FAA within 2 working days. Unfortunately, the employer can also terminate the pilot's job at this time.

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Consequences of a Verified Positive Drug Test An employee who has a positive FAA drug test cannot return to the performance of safety-sensitive functions until and unless the employee successfully completes the return-to-duty process outlined in 49 CFR Part 40, Subpart O.

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A hair test performed by a lab does not qualify as a DOT/FAA drug test. Like everything else in the FAA, the paperwork matters. The lab must be a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) lab. The form used must be the FAA form.

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How many pilots fail drug tests? The FAA has found that about 0.06 percent of pilots and air traffic controllers have a confirmed positive drug test, which works out to a cost of about $45,000 per positive result.

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The new guidance from the FAA to aviation medical examiners now identifies certain histories of ADHD diagnosis and/or medication usage for which AMEs can issue medical certificates.

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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), formerly called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and medications used for treatment may result in cognitive deficits that pose a risk to aviation safety.

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Anti-Viral – The following medications are approved by the FAA on a case by case basis:
  • Famvir (Famciclovir)
  • Fludara (Fludarabine)
  • Hepsera (Adefovir Dipivoxil)
  • Rebetol, Virazole (Ribavirin)
  • Tamiflu (Oseltamivir)
  • Tenofovir (Disoproxil Fumarate)
  • Truvada (Emtricitabine / Tenofovir)
  • Valtrex (Valacyclovir)


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The FAA is currently cross-checking former military pilots' medical certification with the disability-benefits records of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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