Training that builds your expertise, keeps you current, and moves you forward.

Syllabus

Course Overview

This comprehensive, self-paced online program prepares professionals to serve as Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) under Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. Participants gain in-depth knowledge of the regulatory framework, practical evaluation procedures, documentation standards, ethical responsibilities, and essential skills for working with diverse and often challenging cases. Learners engage with detailed written materials and exercises that bring the materials to life. 

Course Format

The course is delivered entirely online and self-paced, allowing learners to progress at their own schedule. It includes approximately 16 hours of content, featuring about 80,000 words of written instruction.

To reinforce learning, the course integrates interactive reflection questions, decision making scenarios, and application exercises. A rigorous final exam verifies readiness to function in the SAP role.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Describe the purpose and scope of DOT drug and alcohol testing programs.
• Identify covered agencies and individuals under 49 CFR Part 40.
• Explain the SAP’s role, ethical standards, and professional boundaries.
• Conduct thorough evaluations and write neutral, defensible reports.
• Navigate complex cases involving cultural factors, legal testimony, and resistant individuals.
• Advise employers and employees on return-to-duty processes, follow-up testing, and related legal responsibilities.

Intended Audience

This training is designed for licensed professionals seeking to qualify as SAPs under DOT regulation 49 CFR Part 40.

Prerequisites

To be permitted to act as a SAP in the DOT drug and alcohol testing program, you must meet each of the requirements of this section:

(a) Credentials. You must have one of the following credentials:

(1) You are a licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy);

(2) You are a licensed or certified social worker;

(3) You are a licensed or certified psychologist;

(4) You are a licensed or certified employee assistance professional;

(5) You are a state-licensed or certified marriage and family therapist; or

(6) You are a drug and alcohol counselor certified by an organization listed at https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/sap

(b) Basic knowledge. You must be knowledgeable in the following areas:

(1) You must be knowledgeable about and have clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and controlled substances-related disorders.

(2) You must be knowledgeable about the SAP function as it relates to employer interests in safety-sensitive duties.

(3) You must be knowledgeable about this part, the DOT agency regulations applicable to the employers for whom you evaluate employees, and the DOT SAP Guidelines. You must keep current on any changes to these materials. You must subscribe to the ODAPC list-serve at https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/sap email-updates. DOT agency regulations, DOT SAP Guidelines, and other materials are available from ODAPC (Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington DC, 20590 (202-366-3784), or on the ODAPC web site (http://www.transportation.gov/odapc).

(c) Qualification training. You must receive qualification training meeting the requirements of this paragraph (c).

(1) Qualification training must provide instruction on the following subjects:

(i) Background, rationale, and coverage of the Department’s drug and alcohol testing program;

(ii) 49 CFR Part 40 and DOT agency drug and alcohol testing rules;

(iii) Key DOT drug testing requirements, including collections, laboratory testing, MRO review, and problems in drug testing;

(iv) Key DOT alcohol testing requirements, including the testing process, the role of BATs and STTs, and problems in alcohol tests;

(v) SAP qualifications and prohibitions;

(vi) The role of the SAP in the return-to-duty process, including the initial employee

evaluation, referrals for education and/or treatment, the follow-up evaluation, continuing treatment recommendations, and the follow-up testing plan;

(vii) SAP consultation and communication with employers, MROs, and treatment providers;

(viii) Reporting and record keeping requirements;

(ix) Issues that SAPs confront in carrying out their duties under the program.

(2) Following your completion of qualification training under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, you must satisfactorily complete an examination administered by a nationally-recognized professional or training organization. The examination must comprehensively cover all the elements of qualification training listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.

(3) You must meet the requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section before you begin to perform SAP functions.

(d) Continuing education. During each three-year period from the date on which you satisfactorily complete the examination under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, you must complete continuing education consisting of at least 12 professional development hours (e.g., CEUs) relevant to performing SAP functions.

(1) This continuing education must include material concerning new technologies, interpretations, recent guidance, rule changes, and other information about developments in SAP practice, pertaining to the DOT program, since the time you met the qualification training requirements of this section.

(2) Your continuing education activities must include documentable assessment tools to assist you in determining whether you have adequately learned the material.

(e) Documentation. You must maintain documentation showing that you currently meet all requirements of this section. You must provide this documentation on request to DOT agency representatives and to employers and C/TPAs who are using or contemplating using your services.

(f) Limitation. If you are an otherwise qualified SAP under this part, you must abide by the geographic limitations applicable to your credential when performing remote evaluations. You must not conduct an evaluation that exceeds your geographic limitations.

Course Completion

Learners who successfully complete all modules and the final exam will be issued a certificate of completion and may process through the DOT requirements.

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