Drug Testing Technicians: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of drug testing technicians about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for drug testing technicians to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of drug testing technicians expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for drug testing technicians.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Drug Testing Technicians?
Do drug testing technicians need a degree? What kind of experience do drug testing technicians typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for drug testing technicians to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Drug Testing Technicians
Jobs Postings for Drug Testing Technicians By Education
- High School or GED: 67,192 (74%)
- No Education Listed: 20,352 (23%)
- Bachelor's degree: 2,252 (2%)
- Master's degree: 402 (0%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 147 (0%)
High School or GED is the level of education sought the most by employers of drug testing technicians. According to job data, a High School diploma or GED was required for 74% of positions. In 23% of job listings no education level was listed and in 2% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Drug Testing Technicians
Jobs Postings for Drug Testing Technicians By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 24,331 (55%)
- 2-3 Years: 16,699 (38%)
- 4-6 Years: 2,655 (6%)
- 7-9 Years: 180 (0%)
- 10+ Years: 67 (0%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for drug testing technicians. In 55% of job postings for Drug Testing Technicians, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 38% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 6% of job postings for drug testing technicians.
What Kind of Degree Do Drug Testing Technicians Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for drug testing technicians, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 2 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective drug testing technicians, and in 2023 a total of 15,839 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective drug testing technicians.
Top Degree Programs for Drug Testing Technicians
Top 5 Degree Programs for Drug Testing Technicians (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Phlebotomy Technician/Phlebotomist. | 8,480 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | 7,359 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Certificates & Microcredentials for Drug Testing Technicians
Prepare for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam with an online Phlebotomy Tech Certificate. No experience required and finish in just 2-3 months.
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 2-3 months
- Cost: $2,000
What Skills Do Drug Testing Technicians Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by drug testing technicians to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for drug testing technicians, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Drug Testing Technicians
Based on 89,650 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Drug Testing Technicians
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Phlebotomy | 89,170 | 99% |
| Venipuncture | 40,161 | 45% |
| Data Entry | 26,465 | 30% |
| Specimen Collection | 22,555 | 25% |
| Medical Assistance | 20,660 | 23% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Drug Testing Technicians
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 40,529 | 45% |
| Communication | 29,738 | 33% |
| Collections | 24,107 | 27% |
| Clerical Works | 19,456 | 22% |
| Packaging And Labeling | 15,962 | 18% |
Based on 89,650 job postings related to drug testing technicians, phlebotomy was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 99% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for venipuncture, data entry, specimen collection, medical assistance and specimen processing were also highly sought.
As for common skills, customer service was the most desired skill found in job postings for drug testing technicians, followed by communication, collections, clerical works, packaging and labeling and good driving record.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Phlebotomy | 89,170 | 99% |
| Venipuncture | 40,161 | 45% |
| Data Entry | 26,465 | 30% |
| Specimen Collection | 22,555 | 25% |
| Medical Assistance | 20,660 | 23% |
| Specimen Processing | 20,447 | 23% |
| Billing | 19,934 | 22% |
| Capillary | 19,464 | 22% |
| Laboratory Testing | 18,204 | 20% |
| Pediatrics | 15,416 | 17% |
| Geriatrics | 14,661 | 16% |
| Medical Laboratory | 10,067 | 11% |
| Statistics | 9,016 | 10% |
| Vital Signs | 8,929 | 10% |
| Specimen Labeling | 8,524 | 10% |
| Data Recording | 6,938 | 8% |
| Blood Donation Drives | 6,558 | 7% |
| Medical Terminology | 6,453 | 7% |
| Electrocardiography | 6,011 | 7% |
| Specimen Preparation | 5,777 | 6% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 40,529 | 45% |
| Communication | 29,738 | 33% |
| Collections | 24,107 | 27% |
| Clerical Works | 19,456 | 22% |
| Packaging And Labeling | 15,962 | 18% |
| Good Driving Record | 15,831 | 18% |
| Detail Oriented | 11,905 | 13% |
| Leadership | 10,770 | 12% |
| Research | 9,974 | 11% |
| Operations | 9,912 | 11% |
| Computer Literacy | 9,370 | 10% |
| Professionalism | 9,103 | 10% |
| Filing | 8,613 | 10% |
| Management | 8,480 | 9% |
| Quality Control | 7,421 | 8% |
| Quality Assurance | 6,524 | 7% |
| Fine Motor Skills | 6,261 | 7% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 5,534 | 6% |
| Lifting Ability | 5,468 | 6% |
| Teamwork | 5,385 | 6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about drug testing technicians? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for drug testing technicians.
What do drug testing technicians do?
How much do drug testing technicians make?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.