# What does the MRO do when a drug test specimen is rejected for testing?

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 49 CFR 40.161
- **title:** What does the MRO do when a drug test specimen is rejected for testing?
- **source type:** regulation
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** current
- **official:** true
- **published on:** Not available
- **effective on:** 2026-08-18
- **summary:** As the MRO, when the laboratory reports that the specimen is rejected for testing (e.g., because of a fatal or uncorrected flaw), you must do the following:

(a) Place a check mark in the “Test Cancelled” box (Step 6) on Copy 2 (or a legible copy of Copy 3-5) of the CCF and enter the reason on the “
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/49-cfr-40-161.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/49-cfr-40-161
- **source url:** https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2026-08-18/title-49/section-40.161
**body:**

As the MRO, when the laboratory reports that the specimen is rejected for testing (e.g., because of a fatal or uncorrected flaw), you must do the following:

(a) Place a check mark in the “Test Cancelled” box (Step 6) on Copy 2 (or a legible copy of Copy 3-5) of the CCF and enter the reason on the “Remarks” line. If you do not have Copy 2 (or a legible copy of Copy 3-5), then enter “Test Cancelled” and the reason for the cancellation on a report in the format required under § 40.163(c).

(b) Report to the DER that the test is cancelled and the reason for cancellation, and that no further action is required unless a negative test is required (e.g., in the case of a pre-employment, return-to-duty, or follow-up test).

(c) You may only report a test cancelled because of a “rejected for testing” laboratory result when you are in possession of a legible copy of Copy 1 of the CCF. In addition, you must have Copy 2 of the CCF, a legible copy of it, or any other copy of the CCF containing the employee's signature. If you do not have Copy 2 (or a legible copy of Copy 3-5), then enter “Test Cancelled” and the reason for the cancellation on a report in the format required under § 40.163(c).

[65 FR 79526, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 88 FR 27646, May 2, 2023]
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- **body characters:** 1268