DOT Qualified Substance Abuse Professional List
When a DOT mandated safety-sensitive employee fails or refuses a drug and/or alcohol test, they’re required to complete a return-to-duty program with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). Your employer is obligated to provide a Substance Abuse Professional list for you. However, keep reading to find out why that list may not be the best one to use.
SAP Credentials Matter
First, it’s important to understand the criterion it takes to be a SAP. To be a DOT-qualified SAP, first, the individual must hold one of the following credentials:
- Licensed physician
- Licensed or certified social worker
- Licensed or certified psychologist
- Licensed or certified employee assistance professional
- State-licensed or certified marriage and family therapist
- IC&RC, NBCC, or NAADAC Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Additionally, the individual must participate in DOT qualified training programs and pass a written exam. Lastly, SAPs need to keep up with ongoing education requirements to maintain their DOT qualification. The continuing education requirements include a minimum of 12 hours of learning every three years.
Get a Verified Substance Abuse Professional List From SRS
So, why is your employer’s list of SAPs not your best option? While the DOT requires them to provide you with a list, many times they fail to check if the list is up-to-date. That means the list may contain SAPs who have let their continuing education requirements slip or license(s) expire and, therefore, are no longer DOT-qualified. When an employee works with an unqualified SAP, the consequences are significant. Their return-to-duty process won’t count. Unfortunately, the employee must spend additional time and resources repeating their work with another SAP.
Asking the SAP themselves if they are qualified isn’t a guarantee either. The SAP may not realize that three years have passed since their last continuing education requirement. That is why it’s best to reach out to SRS for a Substance Abuse Professional list.
SAP Referral Services (SRS) is a professional organization that specializes in connecting employees with DOT-qualified SAPs. Our list of over 3,000 providers is full of DOT-qualified SAPs across the country. Get started today with our Fast Track Enrollment. When you enroll today you can be connected to a DOT-qualified SAP in your area within 72 business hours!
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.