Substance Abuse Professional Qualification Training for D.O.T. SAP Evaluations plus National Exam

Federal Department of Transportation regulations effective August 1, 2001 require that Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) have certain credentials, possess specific knowledge, receive qualification training, and pass a national examination. This class covers the requirements for SAPs conducting substance abuse assessments for persons who test positive for substances or alcohol under the Omnibus Transportation Act 49 CFR Part 40.

This program is restricted to professionals who are, licensed physicians (including MDs and Osteopathic Physicians), licensed psychologists, licensed or certified Marriage and Family Therapists (as of 9/22/06), licensed or certified social workers, licensed or certified employee assistance professionals, and alcohol and drug abuse counselors certified by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) or the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (ICRC)

The regulations require that SAPs complete the training and pass a nationally recognized examination. This program includes information on the nine required content areas as designated in Section 281(c) of Part 40. Content areas include an overview of the DOT drug and alcohol testing program, the drug and alcohol testing rules, key DOT drug testing requirements re: collections, lab testing, MRO review, and troubleshooting. SAP qualifications and prohibitions will be discussed. The basic components of the assessment and return to duty will be described including the role of toxicology testing, chain of custody for test specimens, follow-up testing, and SAP role expectations. The communication and documentation responsibilities of SAP professionals and restrictions for referral procedures will be identified. This offering is a must for those preparing to take our national examination in order to be qualified to provide DOT substance abuse assessment and return to work duties.

We are pleased to offer this national examination, which is provided by home study, email, or online course. The regulations require that SAPs complete this training and pass a NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EXAMINATION. Program Services offers the national examination which has been externally validated as per the federal regulations. An 80% correct score is required for certification. The examination is included in the purchase price of the home study and online course and is also available as a stand-alone examination online, by mail or email.

We are always available and happy to assist our customers with their purchases, answer general questions about the course work, give technical support.

Since this offering is related to the United States Department of Transportation, once you have completed the prep material and passed the national exam, it is the policy of Program Services not to provide SAP specific supervision or support.

Since the course material is designed to instruct you in everything which is required by the regulations, we do not answer questions related to the performance of specific SAP duties beyond what is in the study guide, about setting up an individual practice to accept SAP referrals or problems/questions arising from individual cases.

Objectives:

1. Discuss the background, rationale and coverage of the Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing program (49 CFR Part 40)

2. Identify key drug and alcohol testing rules (49 CFR Part 40)

3. Discuss drug-testing requirements including collections, laboratory testing, MRO responsibilities, and problems with testing.

4. Differentiate the requirements of the various DOT department's drug and alcohol testing programs (FAA, FMCSA, FRA, FTA, RSPA, USCG).

5. Identify important responsibilities and prohibitions re: communication, reporting, and documentation.

6. Describe the role responsibilities and prohibitions of the Substance Abuse Professional

7. Identify specific SAP responsibilities in the DOT Return to Duty process.

8. Elucidate the significant ethical and philosophical dilemmas related to the SAP duties.

A Strong Suggestion: We recommend that all participants read 49 CFR Part 40, the Substance Abuse Professional Guidelines (Addendum B and E in our class materials) and the study guide including its glossary prior to taking our national examination

Training Agenda available upon request

Home Study

Includes study guide, DOT Substance Abuse Professional Guidelines, 49 CFR Part 40 and National Examination

Online Study

Includes study guide, DOT Substance Abuse Professional Guidelines, 49 CFR Part40, and National Examination

Free Follow-up Package: Participants using our training and examination will receive a FREE SAP start-up package containing valuable internet addresses to Federal Register and other DOT publications, sites to register as a qualified SAP, and formats for report preparation.  

We do not monitor when you complete the course, therefore it is up to you to email your request for the complimentary SAP start-up kit which contains information that is helpful in answering general questions about getting started; in addition, the kit contains sample SAP report formats and gives the names of several SAP referral agencies where you can list yourself as a qualified SAP. The regulations and the study guide discuss everything else you need to know.

Methods: Pretest, Study guide, National Exam and evaluation