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What Is a Drug Test Chain of Custody Form?

A chain of custody form is the paperwork that follows a drug test specimen from the moment you hand it to the collector until the lab is done with it. It records who handled the specimen and when, and it ties the sealed bottle to you. DOT tests must use the federal Custody and Control Form (CCF). Non-DOT tests, like Pact's $40 10-panel, must not use the federal form and use a different custody form instead. You don't need to bring a form for a Pact test. Bring your donor pass and a photo ID.

Updated October 14, 2026 · Checked against the official sources listed at the end

What "chain of custody" means

DOT's drug testing rule defines chain of custody as the procedure used to document the handling of the urine specimen from the time the employee gives it to the collector until the specimen is destroyed (49 CFR 40.3). For DOT tests, that procedure uses the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form.

The idea is the same in non-DOT testing. The form links the specimen to the right person, shows it was sealed in front of them, and records each hand-off so a result can be trusted.

DOT and non-DOT forms are different

DOT tests must use the federal CCF for every collection DOT rules require (49 CFR 40.40(a)).
A non-federal form or an expired CCF can't be used for a DOT collection (40.40(b)).
Employers must not use the federal CCF for non-DOT testing, even with the DOT references crossed out (40.13(g)).
So the form itself is one way to tell the two apart. A DOT test uses the federal CCF. A non-DOT test uses a different custody form.

What happens to your specimen

Quest Diagnostics describes its urine collection this way. You provide at least 30 mL of urine (45 mL for a DOT collection) in the privacy of a restroom. The collector pours the specimen into a bottle sealed with tamper-evident tape. The specimen and the completed Custody and Control Form are sent to the laboratory.

Quest's page on what to expect lists other steps you'll see:

The collector asks you to empty your pockets, remove outer garments such as a jacket or hat, leave bags behind, and wash your hands.
The toilet water has a bluing agent, and water sources may be unavailable.
The collector will not note any prescription drugs you take on the chain of custody form.
Quest says its collectors follow the urine collection guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

How DOT collections handle the bottles

DOT rules spell out the steps in detail, which shows what the custody form is protecting. In a DOT collection, the collector checks the specimen's temperature within four minutes; the acceptable range is 90 to 100 °F (49 CFR 40.65(b)). Every DOT collection is a split specimen (40.71(a)).

The collector, not the employee, pours the urine into two bottles, caps them, puts tamper-evident seals over the caps, and dates the seals. The employee then initials the seals to certify the bottles hold their specimen (40.71(b)). Non-DOT procedures can differ, but Quest says it follows DOT's collection guidelines.

Paper and electronic forms

Custody forms can be paper or electronic. Rutgers School of Nursing, for example, tells students that after they order, an electronic chain of custody form is placed in their online account and explains where to go for the test.

For Pact's 10-panel, Pact registers your order with Quest and emails you a donor pass, usually within one business day (Monday to Friday). Quest says that if you received an appointment confirmation by email, you don't need to print the authorization form; you can show the email on your phone. Not having the confirmation, printed or electronic, may delay your test or lead to a reschedule.

What to bring for a Pact test

Your donor pass, printed or on your phone.
A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport or military ID.
Nothing to pay. The $40 covers the collection, the lab test and MRO review.
Your full legal name on the order should match your photo ID exactly.

Can I download a chain of custody form?

For a Pact order, you don't need one. The collection site completes the custody paperwork for your order. A blank form you print yourself won't tie your specimen to Pact's order with Quest.

For a DOT test, the employer or its service agent supplies the federal CCF. Pact's online order page is for non-DOT tests only.

After the collection

Quest's page says that once a test is complete, Quest can't give out the specimen status or result at the collection site. For Pact orders, results are reported to the person tested and to the employer or program named at checkout. A lab result that isn't negative goes to a medical review officer, who contacts the person about prescriptions before the result is final.

Quest says negative screening results are often released within 24 hours, and non-negative screens are typically released within an additional 24 to 72 hours.

Common questions

What is a chain of custody form for a drug test?

It documents the handling of the specimen from collection until the lab is done, and ties the sealed bottle to the person tested. For DOT tests it is the federal Custody and Control Form (49 CFR 40.3).

Is a non-DOT test done on the federal CCF?

No. Employers must not use the federal CCF for non-DOT tests (49 CFR 40.13(g)). Non-DOT tests use a different custody form.

Do I need to bring a chain of custody form to Quest for a Pact test?

No. Bring the donor pass Pact emails you and a government-issued photo ID.

Should I list my prescriptions on the form?

Quest says the collector will not note prescription drugs on the chain of custody form. If a result isn't negative, the medical review officer will ask you about prescriptions.

How much urine is needed?

Quest says at least 30 mL for a urine drug test, or 45 mL for a DOT collection.