Wondering if anyone has experience or advice. I'm a nonprofessional pilot.

Because of illegal drug use in the distant past, I'm supervised by a local HIMS AME who for the last year has sent me for random drug tests once a month. No problems at all, negative every time, haven't touched drugs in years, etc etc. I've traveled a few times domestically. I simply tell the AME ahead of time, give him the fax number of a LabCorp site at my destination, and so if he needs a drug test that day, I can comply.

But now, my job is requiring me to travel to France for a business trip in the next several weeks. The HIMS AME is confused because he's never had to deal with this before. What if I'm required to give a random test, but I'm in France? I'm a bit worried that if I try to find a local lab in France, there's going to be language issues and either the lab won't understand the situation, or the FAA won't accept a foreign test. Seems like a lot could go wrong.

Has anyone dealt with this? Any advice?

Call your regional flight surgeon and explain the issue to them:

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certifi...ification/rfs/

If they can’t help you, call the international office:

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certifi...on/rfs/intfed/

I don’t know the answer but they will. It’s unlikely your situation is unique.

Color me confused.

HIMS website:

You can contact the people who require the tests directly if they are affiliated with your AME, that's what I do. I was in Africa for 2 weeks over the summer. I made them aware of my trip a month in advance. No issue at all, tests started back when I got back to the states.