Blood Drug Testing

Can I refuse a blood drug test but accept a urine drug test?

I have a job interview and I wanted to know if I had right to refuse a blood test (I am scared to death of needles, and last time I got blood drawn I nearly fainted and vomited) and opt for a urine (or other) drug test? It's not a government job, it's an electronics store. Is a urine or mouth-swab test a lot more common than a blood test?

Public Comments

1. They are not going to make you take a blood test. First of all, that's more expensive. You'll more than likely get cotton swab or urine. I know for one job they took a hair sample from us.
2. They usually do urine or hair. If you let them know you will do urine or hair test they should be fine.
3. They dont take blood.You pee in a cup.
4. You can always refuse to do any test. What you have to ask yourself is how they will likely take it, and what the consequences will be if you do refuse though. The first thing they will think is you have something to hide, honestly. Some companies prefer to do blood testing because it's more difficult to fool those. It also gives a better picture of what you have taken in the past days- some drugs take longer to show up in urine, sweat or hair. If the company is paying a lab for blood drug screens, they may not want to pay for you to take a different type of screen testing. That being the case, your refusal might mean you don't get considered for the job. If you really want the job, there are ways to have the blood test done and not end up hitting the floor. For one thing, let the folks at the lab know you have a morbid fear of needles. They should be able to take the sample with you lying down. If you go in with an empty stomach, you might still gag, but you shouldn't be doing any barfing either. Plus, if you don't let yourself get worked up before you have the test, you stand a better chance as well. Most lab techs are pretty good at getting in and out with a minimum of pain for you. Of course you don't like needles. I don't think anybody out there, normal folks anyway, like them. I work with them all the time, and I much prefer not being on the pointy end myself. That said, it is a small needle, and a quick poke, and I'm sure you have suffered worse injuries in your life. Of course you can always ask, there's no harm in that. You can explain you have a real needle fear, but I'm sure they will have heard that before too. You just have to weigh up how bad you want the job, and how much competition you are up against for it. If they have a pick of people, and you are the only one who balks at the test, you may put yourself out of consideration. If that's not the case, you may have some wiggle room. You just have to weigh up the options.