What is a SAP Program for FMCSA-Regulated Employees?

To keep our roads, rails and sky safe, DOT rule 49 CFR Part 40 requires testing certain employees to screen for drugs and alcohol. All DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees who work under the FMCSA fall under these regulations. Failure or refusal of a drug or alcohol test means you must find a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) to begin your journey back to work. Therefore, it’s critical to know the answer to the question, “What is a SAP program?” Read on to learn more and how to get back on the job as quickly as possible.

Learn More About a SAP Program

As operators of a large vehicles on our nation’s roadways, the FMCSA requires its drivers to maintain safe practices. Part of these regulations include strictly prohibiting drivers from operating vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If a DOT mandated safety-sensitive employee fails a drug and/or alcohol test, completing a SAP-led return-to-duty process is mandatory.

Your SAP can be a licensed or certified, social worker, marriage or family therapist, Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, Employee Assistance Professional, psychologist or a drug and alcohol counselor with an international qualification. To obtain DOT qualifications, they undergo specialized training.

The return-to-duty process begins with a face-to-face clinical meeting. Here the SAP establishes if the employee is abusing substances. Next, they decide what type of education and/or treatment the employee must undergo to address their issues. Before becoming eligible to return to safety-sensitive duties the employee must comply with the SAP’s recommendations. Finally, after successful compliance, the SAP recommends the employee may submit to a return-to-duty test.

Why Choose SAP Referral Services

Do you need to begin the return-to-duty process? SAP Referral Services (SRS) can help you connect with a DOT-qualified SAP in a location convenient to you. SRS can educate you on the question “What is a SAP program?” and help you schedule an evaluation with a SAP. When you use our FastTrack Enrollment we can get you scheduled in as little as 72 hours. Since 2003 we have been dedicated to helping employees fulfill return-to-duty requirements. We look forward to helping you, too.

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.