Forensic Drug Testing Accreditation Program

Designed for the unique needs of forensic drug testing laboratories that perform screening and confirmatory testing on urine, oral fluid, hair, nail, meconium, umbilical cord, and whole blood by non-waived methods, the College of American Pathologists’ (CAP) Forensic Drug Testing Accreditation Program provides laboratories confidence in the accuracy of their results.

New in 2025, the Forensic Drug Testing Accreditation Program also inspects and accredits forensic toxicology laboratories that perform clinical toxicology in addition to forensic toxicology, certifying compliance for its clinical toxicology testing with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Please call 800-323-4040 or send an email to accred@cap.org for more information.

The Forensic Drug Testing Accreditation Program demonstrates your commitment to excellence through:

• Sample integrity and security through robust chain of custody
• Annual validation of all methods
• Tighter controls on test systems
• Secondary review of all confirmatory test results
• Recognized experts in the field available to clarify compliance and recommend best practices

Checklists

Drawing on the collective knowledge of our pathologists, forensic and clinical toxicology experts, and our Laboratory Accreditation Program, we help your laboratory stay current on advancements within the industry through our checklists. These annually updated checklists provide a clear roadmap for not only achieving accreditation but also for running a high-quality forensic toxicology laboratory. 

Peer Inspection Model

• Our peer inspection model is the foundation of the CAP's unique inspection program. Inspectors—Team Leaders (pathologists/PhDs) and Team Members (laboratory professionals)—must meet requirements through the CAP Inspector Training course and have current experience in a CAP-accredited laboratory.
• On-site inspections occur every two years using the CAP Accreditation Checklists to assess compliance with program requirements, in addition to an interim self-inspection required during the off-year.
• Participants have access to the CAP's Forensic Drug Testing, Chemistry and Toxicology, Laboratory General, Director Assessment, and All Common Checklists through our customer portal, e-LAB Solutions Suite; non-accredited laboratories can purchase the checklist.

Educational Resources

The CAP offers complimentary educational resources to all its accredited laboratories in a customer-only portal that provides the roadmap, tools, and support needed to prepare for inspections, maintain compliance, and stay on the cutting edge of toxicology.

Drawn from the collective knowledge of more than 500 laboratory experts, our extensive, frequently updated repository includes:

• Archived webinars with toolkits on topics like risk management, quality management systems, proficiency testing failures, preanalytical errors
•  Laboratory Inspection Preparation Course
• CAP Laboratory Director Education, Information & Resources
• Resource toolboxes, including IQCP, PT/EQA, new laboratory director, root cause analysis
•  Over 55 templates providing a starting point for demonstrating compliance, including competency, personnel, and validation & verification
• Checklist requirement Q&A’s for more than 80 common accreditation inspection deficiencies

The Forensic Drug Testing Accreditation Program is designed for laboratories that conduct screening and confirmatory tests on urine, oral fluid, hair, nails, meconium, umbilical cord, and whole blood using non-waived methods.

• The program also accepts laboratories that only screen the specimen types listed above by non-waived methods
  • Confirmation testing must be performed by a CAP Forensic Drug Testing accredited or Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) certified laboratory.
  • For international laboratories seeking CAP accreditation, enrollment is required for a minimum of six months in our PT/EQA prior to requesting an accreditation application.

CAP's PT/EQA for the Forensic Drug Testing Accreditation program is available in our annual Surveys and Anatomic Pathology Education Programs Catalog.

A forensic toxicology laboratory interested in the program but not confident in its readiness may purchase a set of checklists and perform a self-inspection. We also offer a CAP Accreditation Readiness Assessment (CARA®) that provides a high-level evaluation of the laboratories processes using an educational approach.

• Not sure? Learn more about your estimated costs and next steps.
  • Submit a fee estimate form to receive more information about cost and next steps to become CAP accredited.

• Yes! Follow the steps below to start your forensic drug testing accreditation journey with the CAP.
  • Submit the Accreditation Request for Application form (PDF) and a one-time, non-refundable application fee.
  • Once your request form and payment are processed, you'll receive an email with a link to your online Organizational Profile, which you must complete to finalize the accreditation application. You'll be asked to provide information about your laboratory, including demographic data, personnel, sections/departments and activities, and other key details.
  • Once the CAP receives your finalized application (application form, payment, and completed Organizational Profile), CAP staff members will schedule an initial inspection readiness call with you to discuss the next steps in preparing for your inspection.

Use our database to search our forensic drug testing accreditation programs.