Does Five Below Drug Test?

Drug Testing by Position

Drug Test Type and Process

Five Below's hiring process usually starts with an online application, a phone or in-person interview, and a background check, with a start date typically one to three weeks out. Most entry-level store applicants report no drug test at all. When Five Below does screen — more common for management, distribution/ship center, and corporate roles — employees describe a standard urine test or a mouth-swab (saliva) test at a third-party clinic, checking for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP. Some districts ask store hires to pass a test before their first scheduled shift, so local policy matters. Background checks are applied more broadly, especially for management, warehouse, and corporate positions, and sometimes when an existing employee is promoted to a new title. Because there is no single chain-wide rule, the safest move is to ask the hiring manager what applies at your specific store or facility.

Marijuana Policy

Because most Five Below store applicants are not drug tested at hiring, off-duty marijuana use usually does not block an entry-level offer. Where a test is required — often management, distribution, or corporate roles, or certain districts — marijuana (THC) is included in the panel, so a positive result can affect the outcome. Like many national retailers, Five Below has leaned toward relaxed screening for hourly store staff during 2020-2026 as more states legalized cannabis, but it has not published a blanket policy dropping THC. Marijuana laws and workplace protections vary by state, and safety-sensitive distribution roles are the least likely to relax testing. Regardless of hiring policy, being impaired on the job is prohibited and can trigger a post-incident test. If you use medical marijuana, ask about the specific location's policy before accepting an offer.

Tips for Applicants

Five Below is a solid option for retail work, and most store applicants will not face a drug test. If you are applying to a store, expect a friendly interview focused on energy, customer service, and availability — the brand emphasizes a fun, fast-paced atmosphere. Because policies vary by district and role, ask the hiring manager directly whether a drug test is required and what type, especially for distribution/ship center or management positions where testing is more likely. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you; Five Below considers background individually and in line with local ban-the-box and fair-chance laws. Apply through the official Five Below careers site, respond quickly to interview requests, and be ready to describe how you handle busy shifts and stocking. For warehouse roles, expect a more structured screening including a pre-employment test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Five Below drug test at hiring?

It depends. Most entry-level store applicants — sales associates, cashiers, stockers — report no pre-employment drug test. Management, distribution/ship center, and corporate roles are screened more often, and some districts test store hires before their first shift.

Does Five Below drug test for weed?

Only when a test is required, which is uncommon for store staff. Where Five Below does screen — more often for management, warehouse, or corporate roles — marijuana (THC) is part of the panel, so a positive result can affect the outcome. Entry-level store applicants usually are not tested.

What kind of drug test does Five Below use?

When Five Below tests, employees report either a standard urine test or a mouth-swab (saliva) test at a third-party clinic, screening for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP.

Does Five Below drug test warehouse workers?

Often, yes. Distribution and ship center positions involve safety-sensitive equipment, so they are more likely than store roles to require a pre-employment urine drug test plus a background check.

Does Five Below do random drug testing?

No. Five Below does not run routine random drug tests for store employees. Any testing is generally limited to after a workplace accident or when there is reasonable suspicion of impairment on the job.

Does Five Below run a background check?

Yes, commonly — especially for management, distribution, and corporate roles, and sometimes when an employee is promoted. Five Below considers records individually and follows applicable fair-chance and ban-the-box laws, so a record is not always disqualifying.