DOT Mandated Employees – What is a SAP Program?

Those working safety-sensitive positions mandated by a Department of Transportation (DOT) mode such as FAA, FRA, FMCSA, USCG, FTA and PHMSA are required to complete drug and/or alcohol testing periodically (before employment, during the job for reasonable suspicion and after some accidents on the job). If a DOT mandated employee fails a drug and/or alcohol test they are required to complete a SAP program before returning to safety-sensitive duties. The DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements work to make roads, railways, and airways safer for everyone by reducing the possibility of drug or alcohol related accidents.

What Is a SAP Program and How Can It Help DOT Mandated Employees?

DOT mandated employees might be wondering, “What is a SAP program and what will it do for me?” A SAP program is a mandatory process for any DOT mandated employee who has violated a federal DOT drug and/or alcohol test by either testing positive or refusing a test. A safety-sensitive employee will have to go through the SAP program before returning to their safety-sensitive position. The SAP program is conducted by a qualified Substance Abuse Professional, or SAP, who makes a clinical evaluation and recommends the DOT mandated employee for treatment and/or education, based on the employee’s needs.

Becoming a qualified SAP entails rigorous training and testing to help DOT mandated employees receive appropriate treatment and education that they need to return to their safety-sensitive job functions. The SAP program starts with a face-to-face assessment of the employee, along with a clinical evaluation. Based on what is gathered, the Substance Abuse Professional then outlines a recommendation for treatment and/or education. Throughout the SAP program, the progress of the employee will be monitored to ensure that he or she is abiding by the requirements of the program. After successful compliance with the recommended treatment and/or education, the Substance Abuse Professional will conduct a second face-to-face interview to determine if the employee is ready for return-to-duty testing and create a report recommending the employee be considered for return to safety-sensitive duties. It is only after completing the SAP program that a safety-sensitive, DOT mandated employee can be cleared to return to his or her work.

Find a SAP Program Near You With SRS

SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. It is the largest, most reputable SAP referral program in the country. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified substance abuse providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations. Since its launch in 2003, it has assisted approximately 20,000 DOT mandated employees in the return-to-duty process. If you are looking for a SAP program near you in order to return-to-duty, register online and within typically 72 business hours you will be scheduled with a SAP convenient to your geographic location.

SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.