Under 49 CFR 40.281, a SAP must hold one of the listed credentials, have specific basic knowledge, complete qualification training and an examination, complete continuing education, and keep documentation of all of these. The listed credentials are a licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy), a licensed or certified social worker, a licensed or certified psychologist, a licensed or certified employee assistance professional, a state-licensed or certified marriage and family therapist, or a drug and alcohol counselor certified by an organization listed by DOT's Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC).
Under 40.281(b), a SAP must be knowledgeable about and have clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and controlled substances-related disorders. The SAP must also know the SAP function, Part 40, the DOT agency regulations that apply to the employers the SAP serves and the DOT SAP Guidelines, keep current on changes to them and subscribe to the ODAPC list-serve.
Under 40.281(c), qualification training covers subjects that include Part 40 and DOT agency rules, key drug and alcohol testing requirements, SAP qualifications and prohibitions, the SAP's role in the return-to-duty process, and reporting and recordkeeping. After the training, the SAP must satisfactorily complete an examination administered by a nationally-recognized professional or training organization. These requirements must be met before the SAP begins to perform SAP functions.
Under 40.281(d), during each three-year period from the date of the examination, a SAP must complete at least 12 professional development hours of continuing education relevant to SAP functions. Under 40.281(e), the SAP must keep documentation showing that the requirements are currently met and provide it on request to DOT agency representatives and to employers and C/TPAs that use or are considering the SAP's services. Under 40.281(f), a SAP must abide by the geographic limitations of the SAP's credential when performing remote evaluations, as covered in Can a DOT SAP Evaluation Be Done Remotely?.
Under 49 CFR 40.283, a certification organization may petition DOT to have the drug and alcohol counselors it certifies added to the credential list. DOT will not act on the petition until the organization has obtained accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Employers and C/TPAs can ask a SAP found in the MyDrugTesting.com directory for the qualification documentation described in 49 CFR 40.281(e).
Ready to get started?