As a SAP-certified provider, we evaluate employees who have violated a DOT alcohol and drug program regulation. We make recommendations concerning the treatment, education, testing, follow-up, and aftercare.

We represent the major (and sometimes the only) decision point for an employer to choose whether or not to let an employee drive a school bus, pilot a plane, operate an oil tanker, and so on. Our function is to protect the public interest in safety by evaluating employees. As such, we neither advocate for the employer nor the employe.

Are you included  in the "Safety Sensitive transportation industry?

 There are six  DOT is comprised of 6 different federal administrations.  Do you work or are you affilatioed with one of the industries listed below?

1. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

2. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

3. Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

4. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

5. Federal Pipeline & Hazardous Material Administration (PHMSA)

6. United States Coast Guard (USCG)

UNDERSTANDING THE SAP PROCESS

1. Initial Evaluation:

This is where you call a DOT Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) to discuss your needs and determine if you should submit a request for an assessment via the Clearinghouse or https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov .  Once accepted by the SAP and they will conduct a thorough assessment. The assessment will include information on your drug and alcohol use, family history, physical health issues, mental health, and positive supporters. Depending on the employee, they may be asked to give the SAP permission to contact their medical providers, family members, or others in order to get a complete understanding of the employees history and potential alcohol misuse or drug use.  The SAP will make notification in the Clearinghouse that you have completed the initial evaluation.  

2. Treatment/Education Recommendation:

Once you have completed the Initial SAP Evaluation, the SAP will make a recommendation for either formal alcohol/substance use treatment (or perhaps mental health treatment) or educational courses. The recommendations are clinically decided based on the needs of the employee. Formal treatment may include inpatient addiction treatment or outpatient programs. Your SAP maintains a host of potential referral options and will guide you through the process.

3. Follow-up Evaluation:

You and the SAP will meet a 2nd time and they will determine if you have completed and complied with their recommendation. If an employee has been compliant, the SAP notifies a specific person at the employee's company stating that the employee is now qualified to take a Return-to-Duty test. Until an employee is qualified by their SAP, they are not allowed to perform any safety-sensitive duties.

4. Period Follow-up Testing Plan

Lastly, the SAP submits a Periodic Follow-up Testing Plan to a specific person at the employee's company. This person is identified as the contact person by the company and not by the employee.  Periodic Follow-up Tests are another type of DOT Drug and Alcohol test that employee's who have previously violated the DOT's Drug and Alcohol testing regulations are now subject to. The employee will be subject to a minimum of 6 tests in the first 12 months for a maximum of 5 years.