SAP Evaluation: What to Expect

As an employee, you may have been ordered to undergo a SAP evaluation, or as an employer you may be wondering when to send your employee for an evaluation.

Safety-sensitive employees must submit to drug and/or alcohol tests upon preemployment, at random, after certain accidents, with reasonable suspicion, and before returning to safety-sensitive work following a mandated return-to-duty test. If they fail they must immediately be removed from their duties and schedule a SAP evaluation with a professional in their area. Besides scheduling the initial appointment, safety-sensitive employees might not know what comes next.

What is a SAP Evaluation?

A SAP evaluation is an evaluation with a DOT qualified professional which determines the severity of the alcohol and/or drug misuse for a safety-sensitive employee. After the evaluation, the SAP recommends a plan which could include treatment and/or educational programs. A SAP will assist the employee with referrals to the appropriate treatment facilities or educational programs. If the employee has shown compliance, the SAP will perform a follow-up evaluation and can recommend they submit to a return to duty drug and/or alcohol test.

The SAP will submit two reports to your employer with his or her findings and recommendations in the first report, and a follow-up compliance report with return-to-duty recommendations.

How Can You Schedule an Evaluation Quickly?

Finding a SAP in your area can take time. If you locate a SAP on a list online, you can’t be sure that the SAPs qualifications are up-to-date, or that they have an available appointment. The quickest way to find a SAP is to get in touch with a service agent, such as SRS. SRS has a network of thousands of qualified SAPs nationwide. Get in touch to get scheduled for an evaluation in your area.