In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Target’s drug and alcohol policy so you don’t encounter any surprises when you apply. Does Target Drug Test? Let’s dive in!
Target is one of America’s leading retailers with stores in all 50 states. If you’re considering working at your local Target store or distribution center, you need to know about their drug and alcohol policy and how that applies to the hiring process.
What Is Target’s Drug And Alcohol Policy?
Target is a drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free workplace. You are not permitted to work while you are under the influence, or appear to be under the influence, of drugs or alcohol.
The use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is also prohibited on Target property when you’re off the clock.
If you’re found to be in violation of company policy, you’ll be subject to disciplinary action which may include the termination of your employment.
Does Target Drug Test During the Hiring Process in 2025?
Target’s drug and alcohol policy allows for drug testing of all prospective employees. However, in reality, drug testing for most entry-level positions in stores and distribution centers is rare.
There are certain positions that are more likely to require a prehire drug test, though. These include:
- Asset Protection (store security)
- Salaried Management positions including Executive Team Lead (ETL)
- Pharmacy (CVS)
- CDL Drivers
In line with many other retailers, Target put a hold on drug testing for many of these positions during the period when covid restrictions were widespread. At the time of writing, employees (even management hires) report that they have been hired without needing to take a drug test.
The exception is for Target’s CDL driving positions. Because these positions are regulated by the Department of Transportation, all drug testing requirements are always followed in line with federal regulations.
In any case, it’s always a good idea to be drug-free when you apply for a new job. At your interview, if you show signs of drug use, you won’t get hired.
Plus, with drugs out of your system, you can apply to multiple companies and increase your chances of securing a job that you want to do.
Read Also: List of Companies That Don’t Drug Test.
Does Target Drug Test For Pharmacy Roles?
Target pharmacies are operated by CVS Health. If you apply to work at a pharmacy at a Target store, CVS Health will be your employer and you will follow their drug testing policy.
CVS does carry our pre-employment drug testing, and they operate a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol use policy.
This zero-tolerance extends to medical marijuana.
Does Target Stores Drug Test Baristas?
Many Target stores incorporate a Target or Starbucks coffee shop. If you’re applying for a barista position at Target, you could be working at either coffee shop.
Starbucks locations inside Target stores are operated by Target, not Starbucks. As such, you’ll be employed by Target and will follow Target policies.
Because a barista position is an entry-level job, you’re unlikely to face a prehire drug test, although Target’s drug and alcohol policy does allow for this possibility.
While you won’t usually face a prehire drug test as a barista at Target, you could need to take a drug test if you appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if you’re involved in an accident.
Does Target Drug Test Distribution Center Workers?
Target does not appear to drug test the majority of its distribution center workers, although once again, Target’s drug and alcohol policy allows for pre-employment drug testing.
If you’ve applied for a transportation role that requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL), then you’ll have to take the drug test required by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
An employer cannot permit a new employee to drive a commercial motor vehicle unless the employee has passed a DOT drug test.
CDL holders are also subject to random drug tests, reasonable cause drug tests, and post-accident drug tests.
Any time that you’re told to take a drug test, the test will be a DOT-approved drug test that screens your urine sample for the following substances:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates including opium and codeine derivatives
- Amphetamines and methamphetamine
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Do they drug test at Target orientation?
If the position you’ve applied for is one that requires a drug test, you’ll be tested before you attend orientation.
If a drug test is necessary for your role, you’ll be asked to arrange a drug test at your new workplace or at a nearby testing facility when you receive a conditional offer of employment.
Does Target Do Random Drug Tests?
No, there are no random drug tests at Target. You’ll be able to continue your recreational drug use without worrying about losing your job because of a random drug test.
It should go without saying that this is not a license to actually show up to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol or to use drugs or alcohol on Target property.
Do you get drug tested for a promotion?
If you’re applying for a promotion to a salaried position, then a drug test may be required.
It’s essential to make sure that you’re drug-free before applying for a promotion because if you are required to take a drug test and you fail, you won’t just lose the promotion, you’ll lose your job.
One way to be certain that drugs are out of your system is to use a DIY urine drug testing kit at home. These kits are accurate and inexpensive, and once you get the all-clear on the test, you can apply for a promotion or any other job with confidence that you’ll pass a drug test.
You’ll find DIY drug test kits at most pharmacies, online stores like Amazon, and at Walmart, and Target. But if you’re applying for a promotion at Target, you should probably buy yours somewhere else.
Does Target do drug test for seasonal employees?
The answer to this question is no, as far as prehire drug testing is concerned. Target hires a huge number of temporary workers to cover their busiest times of the year and they don’t consider it feasible to drug test such a large pool of people.
You’ll still be subject to their drug and alcohol use policies though, and you could be asked to take a drug test for reasonable cause or after an accident.
When Do Target Drug Test Employees?
Target’s drug and alcohol policy allows for reasonable cause drug testing and post-accident or incident drug testing.
Reasonable cause drug testing can take place if you appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work, especially if you’re unable to carry out your duties.
Reasons you could be suspected of drug use include:
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness and falling asleep
- Unsteady movements
- Smelling of drugs or alcohol
- Red eyes
- Irritability or aggressiveness
- Paranoia
- Emotional outbursts
Post-accident drug testing takes place if you’re injured and need medical attention, or if you cause injury to another person.
Target employees indicate that any team member that needs medical attention within 24 hours of an injury should receive a drug test. For injuries reported after 24 hours, the team leader can use their own discretion about ordering a drug test.
If you need to make a workers’ comp claim, a positive drug test can be grounds for your employer to challenge your claim.
What Drugs Does Target Test For?
If you need to take a drug test during the hiring process, for reasonable cause, or after an accident, Target will use a 5-panel test to screen a urine sample for the following commonly abused substances:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Amphetamines and methamphetamine
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Will Target Hire You If You Fail A Drug Test?
No, if you fail a drug test, you will not be hired. If you want to reapply to Target, you’ll need to wait for 1 year before you can make a new application.
You won’t be given the opportunity to retake the drug test, so when you apply for a job at Target, you should make sure that you will be able to pass the drug test before you begin the application process.
Of the drugs on the 5-panel screen, Marijuana is the drug that will remain detectable in your system the longest.
This is because marijuana is stored in your body’s fat cells and is slowly metabolized over a period of time. The length of this period is different for every individual and depends on the amount of drug use and body fat levels.
The more body fat you have and the higher your marijuana use, the longer it can hang around in your system.
If you’re a light, occasional user, then the drug will generally clear your system and be undetectable on a urine test after 1-2 weeks.
For regular, heavy users of marijuana, the drug can still be present in your system for up to 3 months.
Opiates, cocaine, and amphetamines are usually clear after 1 week. And phencyclidine will be gone after 2 weeks.
Also. Read: Does PetSmart Drug Test?
What To Expect At Your Drug Test
When you report for your drug test, you’ll be asked to provide a urine sample.
The attendant supervising your sample collection will give you a sample cup, and direct you to a private bathroom or toilet stall. No one will watch you pee.
You’ll need to provide sound 45ml of urine. If you can’t produce that much, you’ll have to wait and try again a little later on.
To prevent attempts at urine sample dilution, the water at the washbasin will be turned off and the water in the toilet bowl will have a blue dye added.
Once you’ve handed your sample to the attendant, they will seal your sample, and you’ll sign the necessary paperwork. Then the sample is sent to the lab for analysis.
It can take a few days before your sample is actually tested, so you will usually face a wait of around a week to find out your results.
If you take any prescription medications that could show up as a false positive for one of the substances tested for, you’ll have the opportunity to provide evidence of your valid prescription for that drug. In that case, your positive drug test result would be changed to a negative result.
Can You Use Medical Marijuana At Target?
No, you can’t. Any illegal drug use is against company policy.
Even though some states have legalized the use of medical marijuana, the drug is still illegal at the federal level.
If you use marijuana at home before you go to work and then display signs of drug impairment, your team leader could ask you to take a test.
Other Target employees could also report you, as could any customer.
The Target Corporation Code of Ethics encourages employees to report their coworkers if they see safety violations like drug use.
And if you had an accident at work, and Target suspected drug use was the reason for the accident, you would also need to take a test.
Holding a medical marijuana card won’t give you any defense against violating the company policies that you agreed to follow unless your state has enacted employment protections for medical marijuana users.
Related: Does Target Do Background Checks?
Summing Up
Target has a drug and alcohol policy that prohibits the use of alcohol or illegal drugs on company property. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while you’re at work is also prohibited.
To enforce this policy, Target reserves the right to test employees who appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, who are injured at work, or who cause an accident that injures another person.
The drug test that Target uses is a 5-panel urine test, that screens for opiates, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine.
Target does not allow the use of medical marijuana and holding a medical marijuana card won’t protect your job if you need to take a drug test.
For most hourly paid positions at Target, you won’t need to take a drug test during the hiring process. But applicants for Asset Protection positions, driving jobs that require a CDL, and salaried managerial positions, should expect to take a prehire drug test.
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