SAP Program in Maryland Gets You Back to Work

The DOT characterizes certain jobs as having higher safety concerns than others. Those jobs are defined as being safety-sensitive and require a specific set of rules. Employees that hold these positions are known as DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees. These special employees work in areas of public transportation, as well as the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. To enforce safety DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees must regularly submit to drug and alcohol tests. Failure or refusal requires compliance with a return-to-duty process guided by a SAP (Substance Abuse Professional). If you need a SAP program in Maryland, or anywhere in the US, please read on.

Return-to-Duty Process After Violating Drug Testing Regulations

If an employee fails a drug or alcohol test or refuses to take a drug or alcohol test then they are immediately removed from their safety-sensitive duties until they complete the DOT return-to-duty process. This process involves an initial evaluation by a DOT-qualified SAP. Based on the nature or type of drug and/or alcohol problem presented, the SAP provides recommendations for education and/or a treatment plan. Complying with the SAP’s recommendations is mandatory.

Once the employee complies with the requirements, the SAP re-evaluates the employee in a face-to-face interview. When the SAP feels the employee has made sufficient improvement, they recommend the employee for a return-to-duty test. If the results of the return-to-duty test are negative the employee is eligible to return to their safety-sensitive duties. However, the employer holds the final decision about giving their job back. Follow-up testing continues for up to 5 years following completion of a return-to-duty program.

After failing a drug and/or alcohol test, most employees are concerned most about getting back to work. The process to become eligible to return to their safety-sensitive duties cannot be skipped. However, you can speed it along.

Find a SAP Program in Maryland Today

Partner with SAP Referral Services (SRS) to find a SAP quickly. We use our network of over 3,000 providers to match you with a DOT-qualified SAP in your area. Plus, we guarantee that the SAP’s DOT qualifications will be current at the time of your initial contact.

Discover our FastTrack Enrollment to get started in just two simple steps. We have helped over 25,000+ employees since 2003. So, when you need a SAP provider in Maryland, or anywhere in the US, make SAP Referral Services your first call.


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.