What does the 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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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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Airmen who fail a drug test are removed from performing safety-sensitive functions, required to undergo a substance abuse evaluation, and required to complete counseling or treatment. To make matters worse, airmen often are fired by their employer as a result of a failed test.

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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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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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Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots. Unfortunately, pilots sometimes fail to disclose ADHD to their Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

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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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