Oral fluid (saliva) drug testing is widely used in workplaces where identifying recent drug use is important, particularly in safety-sensitive and operational roles. With a shorter detection window than urine testing, oral fluid testing is well suited to situations where potential impairment risk needs to be assessed close to the time of testing.
Oral fluid testing is quick, non-invasive and can be conducted under direct observation, helping to reduce the risk of sample tampering.
To ensure results are reliable and compliant, staff must be trained to collect and screen specimens correctly in line with the AS/NZS 4760:2019 Standard. Proper training supports consistent testing, defensible results and confidence for both testers and donors, helping businesses maintain safe and compliant workplaces.
NZQA-Approved Drug Testing Courses for Workplaces
Oral Fluid Micro-Credential Course (Unit Standards 32327 & 32328)
The purpose of this micro-credential is to equip learners with the knowledge and skills required to conduct oral fluid specimen collection and perform drug screening in a workplace setting.
This micro-credential supports workplace health and safety obligations and is relevant for those working in, or looking to develop skills in human resources, health & safety, occupational health and recruitment.
It provides a recognised qualification that can be applied across a wide range of industries and roles and provides a pathway into further workplace health and safety training.
While it is beneficial to be employed to apply these learnings , this is not a requirement and will not affect assessment.
On successful completion, you will be able to:
- Prepare a donor for oral fluid specimen collection
- Collect an oral fluid specimen in the workplace
- Dispatch an oral fluid specimen to a laboratory
- Perform on-site quality control procedures, integrity checks and drug screening
- Accurately document, interpret and explain oral fluid results including potential next steps
NZQA Credits Required for Oral Fluid Workplace Drug Testing:
- Unit Standard 32327, 2 Credits
Level 3 – Perform oral fluid specimen collection in the workplace for drug testing - Unit Standard 32328, 4 Credits
Level4 – Perform oral fluid drug screening in the workplace
Training is delivered in accordance with the AS/NZS 4760:2019 Standard.
Self-Directed Online Micro-Credential Training Course
This is a self-directed, online, on-demand training course. You can complete the modules in your own time through a combination of video content and knowledge checks, followed by a final assessment and practical component.
You will require an observer and a donor to complete the practical assessment.
There is no specific course dates set.
For further information on how this course runs, click here: Learner information
Cost: $595 + GST, per attendee (includes training pack).
To enrol, please complete the enrolment form.
Virtual Micro-Credential Training Course
These courses are delivered as a half day interactive session via Google Meet. Pre-course material is provided in advance.
Sessions are run in small groups to allow for discussion, support and practical understanding of workplace oral fluid drug testing processes.
NZQA credits do not expire, however, refresher courses are recommended to maintain competency.
Upcoming half day training course dates (9.30am – 1.30pm):
- Thursday 20 August 2026
- Thursday 17 September 2026
- Thursday 15 October 2026
- Thursday 19 November 2026
- Thursday 17 December 2026
Limited to six attendees per session.
Cost: $645 + GST per attendee (includes training pack)
To secure a place, please complete the enrolment form.
In-Person Micro-Credential Training
Sober Check’s in-person oral fluid (saliva) training is delivered on-site at a time that suits your business.
Training is tailored to the oral fluid testing device used in your workplace.
- Minimum 6, maximum 12 attendees
- Duration: 4 hours
Cost: $895 + GST per attendee (includes training pack), plus travel and disbursements.
To arrange a session, contact training@sobercheck.co.nz.
Refresher Training
Already qualified? We also offer oral drug testing refresher training for certified testers who want to maintain competency, reinforce best practice and stay up to date with current workplace procedures.
Refresher training is available in both virtual and in-person formats. Visit our Workplace Drug Testing Refresher Training page to learn more.
Cancellations, Substitutions and No-Shows
Enrolments can be changed or cancelled up to 10 working days before the course start date at no charge.
After this time, the full course fee will apply for:
- Late cancellations
- Late substitutions
- No-shows
Payment Terms
Invoices are payable by the 20th of the month following the invoice date. Overdue accounts may incur interest at 2.5% per month until payment is received.
For further information, contact the Sober Check team: support@sobercheck.co.nz or 0800 700 777.
Feedback or complaints can be submitted here.
FAQs
Can I do a practice test?
The training pack that comes with your course contains two oral fluid screening kits. You should only need one to complete your assessment, but if you make an error and need more than two devices you will need to source additional kits separately. These can be procured from Sober Check, or via your employer if they are funding your training.
The training pack includes 1 x laboratory confirmation kit, however if you require additional confirmation kits, these will need to be sourced directly from Canterbury Health Laboratories. If your employer is funding the training they may already have an account set up with CHL. You can contact them directly on labinfo@cdhb.health.nz.
If you would like to practice the written answers, do this on a spare piece of paper or your computer. Only include final written answers on the assessment form provided in the training pack as we will need the original sent to us for assessment.
Where are my instructions to order a confirmation kit?
The training pack includes 1 x laboratory confirmation kit, however if you require additional confirmation kits these will need to be sourced directly from Canterbury Health Laboratories. If your employer is funding the training they may already have an account set up with CHL. You can contact them directly on labinfo@cdhb.health.nz.
Do I have to get everything right? (Can I just get 80% or 90% of the questions correct to pass?)
You must get everything right. This is a unit standard assessment so you must pass each performance criteria to achieve the credits. There will be resubmission opportunities if you do not pass on your first attempt.
Should I test with several tests? (There are many oral tests, some have different instructions and procedures).
The qualification is not test-specific, once passed you can use any verified oral fluid device.
Can I do the assessment on my own or with a voluntary donor?
The assessment must be your own authentic work. It will be easier to complete some parts of the practical assessment if you have a voluntary donor that you can perform a screening test on, however you can also do it on yourself.
When am I ready to start the assessment?
Start the assessment once you have completed all the training modules on TalentLMS and feel you have a good understanding of the concepts required. It is also important that you have arranged a time that your observer and donor will be available to assist. Prior to completing any of the training modules, we suggest that you read through the assessment booklet so you know exactly what is required, and it will help you understand what sections of the training relate to what parts of the assessment.
Do I need to do it all in one go?
You can go through the training material and videos at your own pace. The course is designed to suit a wide variety of learner styles and situations. You should do the assessment in one go so you do not lose where you are up to, and it will assist with authenticity of evidence.
When filming yourself running the test, should it be one long video? Do I even have to add videos?
If you are able to capture and upload the practical assessment in one video, that is convenient. Mostly it will be more practical to provide evidence in smaller content files which will assist with uploading for assessment. Videos are not compulsory, but there must be sufficient evidence provided for the assessor to check whether you have met the performance criteria. A series of check marks in the observer comments section is not sufficient.
What evidence do I need to provide?
A large part of the assessment for this micro-credential is practical, which means it is something you need to ‘do’. Your assessor needs to observe that you are competent in these practical tasks. Therefore, you need to provide (i.e. upload/submit/send to us) sufficient evidence that the assessor can tell, just from looking at the evidence, that you are competent in each performance criteria.
This could include some or all of the following:
- Observer comments & notes
- Photos
- Videos
- Hard evidence e.g. completed tests & forms
It is important to note that this is not in any way an assessment of your photography or videography skills, the content is what must be correct, complete and authentic.