Iowa's Drug and Alcohol Testing Laws
Iowa workers may be subjected to drug and alcohol testing.
Iowa workers may be legally asked by their employer to provide a urine or breath sample during the application or employment process to assure the applicant is not using illegal drugs or abusing legal drugs. This Includes: Marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol and other legal and illegal substances.
When do they test?
Usually, drug testing occurs at the application stage. However, an employee who is involved in an accident at work and gives reasonable suspicion to the employer of drug abuse or illegal drug use can also be drug tested.
Under state laws random testing of private sector employees is also legal in Iowa.
EXCEPTION: Private or public sector workers who need a CDL (Commercial Drivers' License) to perform their job are often drug tested by their employer under federal or state Department of Transportation guidelines.
Iowa workers may be legally asked by their employer to provide a urine or breath sample during the application or employment process to assure the applicant is not using illegal drugs or abusing legal drugs. This Includes: Marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol and other legal and illegal substances.
When do they test?
Usually, drug testing occurs at the application stage. However, an employee who is involved in an accident at work and gives reasonable suspicion to the employer of drug abuse or illegal drug use can also be drug tested.
Under state laws random testing of private sector employees is also legal in Iowa.
EXCEPTION: Private or public sector workers who need a CDL (Commercial Drivers' License) to perform their job are often drug tested by their employer under federal or state Department of Transportation guidelines.
Iowa workers may be subjected to drug and alcohol testing.
Iowa workers may be legally asked by their employer to provide a urine or breath sample during the application or employment process to assure the applicant is not using illegal drugs or abusing legal drugs. This Includes: Marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol and other legal and illegal substances.
When do they test?
Usually, drug testing occurs at the application stage. However, an employee who is involved in an accident at work and gives reasonable suspicion to the employer of drug abuse or illegal drug use can also be drug tested.
Under state laws random testing of private sector employees is also legal in Iowa.
EXCEPTION: Private or public sector workers who need a CDL (Commercial Drivers' License) to perform their job are often drug tested by their employer under federal or state Department of Transportation guidelines.
In Iowa
For workers represented by a union, drug and alcohol testing procedures are negotiable and may governed under the collective bargaining agreement.
For more information:
If subjected to a drug or alcohol test by your employer, you may wish to speak to an attorney.
If you're unable to afford an attorney, you may be able to receive assistance from the Legal Services Corporation of Iowa at 1-800-532-1275.
If represented by a Union, contact your Local Union Representative or steward.
Iowa Workplace Guide
Iowa workers may be legally asked by their employer to provide a urine or breath sample during the application or employment process to assure the applicant is not using illegal drugs or abusing legal drugs. This Includes: Marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol and other legal and illegal substances.
When do they test?
Usually, drug testing occurs at the application stage. However, an employee who is involved in an accident at work and gives reasonable suspicion to the employer of drug abuse or illegal drug use can also be drug tested.
Under state laws random testing of private sector employees is also legal in Iowa.
EXCEPTION: Private or public sector workers who need a CDL (Commercial Drivers' License) to perform their job are often drug tested by their employer under federal or state Department of Transportation guidelines.
In Iowa
- Testing is usually performed through urine samples but breath testing for alcohol is also allowed. Blood testing may be done only in rare instances but hair testing is prohibited by state law.
- Drug testing laboratories are regulated by both federal and state regulations.
- Laws require employers to provide information to applicants and employees about their drug testing policies and the availability of drug treatment sources.
- The Iowa employer who uses drug testing does not have to offer drug rehabilitation to the employee or applicant who tests positive.
- The applicant and employee both have the right to know the results of a positive drug test.
- An applicant may be refused employment and an employee may be fired after a positive drug test.
For workers represented by a union, drug and alcohol testing procedures are negotiable and may governed under the collective bargaining agreement.
For more information:
If subjected to a drug or alcohol test by your employer, you may wish to speak to an attorney.
If you're unable to afford an attorney, you may be able to receive assistance from the Legal Services Corporation of Iowa at 1-800-532-1275.
If represented by a Union, contact your Local Union Representative or steward.
Iowa Workplace Guide
