Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) are licensed or certified professionals that have knowledge not only of the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and controlled substances related disorders, but also of DOT drug and alcohol testing and return-to-duty processes as required by §40.281. A DOT-qualified SAP initially evaluates drivers who have violated DOT drug and alcohol regulations and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare. Once the education and/or treatment is successfully completed, the SAP reassesses the driver’s condition and, if satisfied with the driver’s compliance, completes a SAP report and prescribes a series of follow-up tests covering a period of one to five years. Any motor carrier employing this driver during the prescribed period must complete the follow-up testing as specified by the SAP.
The regulations pertaining to SAPs and the return-to-duty process are found in 49 CFR Part 40 Subpart O
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
As a SAP we represent the major decision point (and in some cases the only decision point) an employer may have in choosing whether or not to place an employee behind the steering wheel of a school bus, in the cockpit of a plane, at the helm of an oil tanker, at the throttle of a train, in the engineer compartment of a subway car, or at the emergency control valves of a natural gas pipeline. Our responsibility to the public is enormous!
As a SAP we are advocate for neither the employer nor the employee. Our function is to protect the public interest in safety by professionally evaluating the employee and recommending appropriate education and/or treatment, follow-up tests, and aftercare.Employees Covered Under DOT Testing Regulation 49 CFR Part 40
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