DOT Substance Abuse Professional for FAA Employees

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that FAA employees in safety-sensitive positions are regularly tested for drugs and alcohol to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. If you fail or refuse to participate, there is an immediate suspension from safety sensitive duties. In order to gain reinstatement to your role, the return-to-duty process with a qualified SAP is required. This ensures that you have successfully complied with the protocol outlined by your DOT Substance Abuse Professional.

DOT Substance Abuse Professional

If suspended from your safety-sensitive role due to a failed drug or alcohol test, there is a specific procedure that must be completed for you to be reinstated to your role. Part of this includes meeting a qualified DOT  Substance Abuse Professional, or SAP. They’re trained to evaluate, assess and provide education and/or treatment that must be completed related to the violation. This initial meeting forms a crucial part of role reinstatement and the initial sequence of the following steps:

Evaluation. During this initial meeting, the SAP recommends education and/or treatment. This is documented and provided to current or future employers.

Re-evaluate. At a further assessment, the SAP determines if the initial recommendations were complied with. This again includes a written report and completion of this stage can mean a provisional return to your role. The SAP will also determine if you are ready to submit a return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test.

Return-to-duty. After returning to work, follow-up testing under direct observation continues as directed by the SAP, of course requiring you remain drug- and/or alcohol-free. This is regardless of any breaks in service or from one employer to another.

Back on Track

Though there are many substance abuse providers, not all are DOT-qualified. Treatment from a non-qualified SAP means a further delay to returning to your career and wages. Finding someone suitably qualified among the many that exist can feel like a daunting task.

SAP Referral Services has working relationships with thousands of experienced and qualified DOT substance abuse professionals. We offer a nationwide network of qualified SAPs that can get you into a program and on the road to restoring your employment and paycheck, faster. Our FastTrack Enrollment typically sees you scheduled with an appointment to get you back on track within 72 business hours. For information on how to get this process started and your career back on track, please contact us today.