Cotinine (Nicotine) Test in Ashburn, VA
Urine cotinine test detecting nicotine use within the past 3–4 days — used for employment screening, insurance physicals and quit-smoking verification.
Walk-in price
Cotinine (Nicotine) Test
- Urine sample
- Results in 24–72 hours
- Doctor’s order included
- HSA / FSA accepted
42775 Generation Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147
What this test screens for
Understanding the Cotinine (Nicotine)
The Cotinine (Nicotine) Test uses a urine sample to detect cotinine — the primary metabolite the body produces when nicotine is consumed. Cotinine typically remains detectable in urine for 2 to 4 days after tobacco use (or up to a week in heavier smokers), making it a useful biomarker for recent nicotine exposure.
At our Ashburn lab, the cotinine urine test is $59 and requires no doctor referral. Results post to your secure online portal within 24 to 72 hours. The test is commonly requested for employment pre-hire physicals where tobacco use affects insurance rates, life and health insurance underwriting physicals, court-ordered abstinence verification, and personal quit-smoking milestone tracking.
Nicotine replacement products — patches, gum, lozenges, pouches — contain nicotine and will produce a positive cotinine result. Electronic cigarettes and vaping products also produce positive cotinine results. Mention any such use at check-in; the lab cannot distinguish between combusted tobacco, vaping, or nicotine-replacement cotinine based on the urine test alone.
Why people get this test
- Employment pre-hire physical where tobacco use affects insurance rates
- Life or health insurance underwriting that requires nicotine abstinence documentation
- Court-ordered nicotine abstinence verification
- Personal milestone verification for a quit-smoking program
- Pre-surgical nicotine screen (some surgical centers require documentation)
What to expect
From check-in to results — what your visit looks like
Most visits take under 15 minutes. Here’s the full arc, start to finish.
How to prepare
No fasting required. Drink water normally so you can produce an adequate urine sample at check-in. If you use nicotine replacement products (patch, gum, lozenges, vaping), disclose this at check-in — these will produce a positive result. Bring any relevant documentation from your employer or program.
During your visit
Check-in and ID verification. You provide a urine sample in a private restroom following standard collection procedures. For employment and program testing, the sample is sealed and signed off in front of you under chain-of-custody. Most visits are 10 to 15 minutes total.
Getting your results
Results post to your secure online portal within 24 to 72 hours. The report indicates cotinine level as positive or negative against the lab’s cutoff (typically 200 ng/mL for urine). For employment or insurance screens, results can be reported directly to the requesting party or faxed on your behalf. We can provide a printed chain-of-custody result for documentation purposes.
Confidential
Your results never go through your insurance carrier.
Transparent
Price you see is price you pay.
Fast
Most results in 24–72 hours through our portal.
Doctor’s order
Included as part of every visit. No referral needed.
FAQ
Cotinine (Nicotine) Test — what people ask
Specific questions about the cotinine (nicotine) test. For anything not covered, call 571-500-7030.
How long does cotinine stay in urine?
Typically 2 to 4 days after the last tobacco or nicotine product use. Heavier smokers or high-volume vapers may test positive for up to a week. Cotinine has a longer half-life than nicotine itself — which is why labs test for cotinine rather than nicotine.
Will a nicotine patch or vaping show up on the cotinine test?
Yes. Cotinine is the metabolite of nicotine regardless of how nicotine enters the body. Patches, gum, lozenges, e-cigarettes, and vaping products all produce cotinine in urine. The test cannot distinguish the source. If your employer or insurer specifically excludes nicotine-replacement products, that policy is separate from the lab test result.
Can secondhand smoke cause a positive cotinine test?
Heavy exposure to secondhand smoke can occasionally produce detectable cotinine levels, but typically at levels below standard employment cutoffs (200 ng/mL). Normal environmental exposure to secondhand smoke in public spaces is unlikely to produce a positive result at standard cutoffs.
You might also need
Other drug & alcohol tests
Other tests our Ashburn neighbors commonly add to a visit.
5 Panel Drug Test (Urine)
Industry-standard 5-panel screen — amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, PCP, THC.
10 Panel Drug Test (Urine)
Screens for 10 common drugs of abuse including amphetamines, opiates, THC, cocaine and more.
12 Panel Drug Test (Urine)
Expands the 10-panel to add benzodiazepines and methadone — popular with healthcare and probation programs.
Service area
We serve these communities
We serve Ashburn and the surrounding Loudoun and Fairfax County communities from our Goose Creek Village lab.
Book your cotinine (nicotine) test today.
Walk in or reserve a time online. Most visits take under 15 minutes.