Rhonda Otway, LMFT, LPCC

Home

Register or Log-In

Online Video Counseling

Transitions

Your Life

Your Career

Payment Information

FAQ's

About Me

Contact Me

Consumer Resources

Grief Resources

Call 988 Suicide/Crisis

The Trevor Project

Trans Lifeline

Addiction Resources

Nat'l DV Hotline

Healthy Marriage Tips

Relationship Help

DOT Substance Abuse Professional

U.S. Department of Transportation

Substance Abuse Professional Services
The primary objective of the DOT rules is to prevent alcohol and controlled substance users from performing transportation industry safety-sensitive functions. The rules require an employer to provide the employee who violates a DOT drug and alcohol regulation a listing of qualified substance abuse professionals (SAP) readily available to the employee.

The DOT only recognizes SAPs who have received qualification training which includes the nine required components explained in Part 40, Section 281 of DOT regulations. The SAP recommended to the impaired employee must be a licensed counselor or physician and demonstrate knowledge of and clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse-related disorders. Each provider  must be knowledgeable about pertinent Part 40 DOT agency regulations and SAP guidelines.

Once the SAP provides a face-to-face assessment and clinical evaluation to determine the level of assistance needed, he or she will recommend a course of education and/or treatment with which the employee must comply. After the employee has completed the appropriate level of treatment, the SAP is required to provide a follow-up evaluation to determine successful compliance. This evaluation must be conducted before the employee can return to work.

PLEASE NOTE:  This regulation is not subject to HIPAA rules.  Accordingly, SAPs need no written authorizations from employees to conduct SAP evaluations, to confer with employers, to confer with MROs, to confer with appropriate education and treatment providers, or to provide SAP reports to employers.
 

If you are an employer or employee searching for SAP services:

What is a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)?

Certain employees in the transportation industry are subject to federal drug and alcohol use and testing regulations, under the federal Department of Transportation (DOT). An employee who violates these regulations must be immediately removed from safety-sensitive functions, and may not be returned to any safety-sensitive functions in the transportation industry until and unless he/she successfully completes a DOT return-to-duty process.

The service agent who is responsible for overseeing this process is a Substance Abuse Professional, or a SAP. DOT requires a SAP to have specific credentials, to have basic knowledge in specified content areas, to complete a comprehensive SAP training, and to satisfactorily complete a SAP exam.

Here is a further explanation of those requirements:

Credentials

A SAP must have one of the following credentials:

  1. A licensed physician [Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy];
  2. A licensed or certified social worker;
  3. A licensed or certified psychologist;
  4. A licensed or certified employee assistance professional;
  5. A licensed or certified marriage and family therapist; or
  6. A drug and alcohol counselor certified by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Certification Commission (NAADAC); or by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (ICRC); or by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates/Master Addictions Counselor (NBCC).

Basic Knowledge

A SAP must be knowledgeable in the following areas:

  1. A SAP must be knowledgeable about and have clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and controlled substances-related disorders.
  2. A SAP must be knowledgeable about the SAP function as it relates to employer interests in safety-sensitive duties.
  3. A SAP must be knowledgeable about 49 CFR Part 40 , and about the DOT agency regulations that apply to the employers for whom he/she evaluates employees, and about the DOT SAP Guidelines . A SAP must also keep current on any changes to these rules and regulations.

Training

  1. A SAP must complete a SAP Qualification Training under the regulations that went into effect on August 1, 2001
  2. A SAP must actively participate in Continuing Education Training (12 professional development hours every 3 years)

SAP Exam

A SAP must satisfactorily complete a SAP exam.


What is the role of the SAP in the evaluation, referral, and treatment process of an employee who has violated DOT agency drug and alcohol testing regulations?

(1) Making a face-to-face clinical assessment and evaluation to determine what assistance is needed by the employee to resolve problems associated with alcohol and/or drug use;

(2) Referring the employee to an appropriate education and/or treatment program;

(3) Conducting a face-to-face follow-up evaluation to determine if the employee has actively participated in the education and/or treatment program and has demonstrated successful compliance with the initial assessment and evaluation recommendations;

(4) Providing the DER with a follow-up drug and/or alcohol testing plan for the employee; and

(5) Providing the employee and employer with recommendations for continuing education and/or treatment.  (This is the employee's financial responsibility if not covered by their insurance and is separate from my fee.) 

A SAP is not an advocate for the employer or employee. The SAP's function is to protect the public interest in safety by professionally evaluating the employee and recommending appropriate education/treatment, follow-up tests, and aftercare. 

Please Contact me or call 925-890-3989 if you are in need of DOT-qualified SAP services.
Rhonda Otway, MA, LMFT, LPCC, BC-TMH, NATC
Professional Counseling for Career and Life Transitions
925-890-3989 or Contact me
California Licenses: MFT42530, LPCC542; Texas Licenses: LMFT202178, LPC77039.  
BC-TMH.1090; Out-of-state Florida telehealth provider: TPMC3840
  
©Copyright Rhonda Otway, MA, LMFT, LPCC, BC-TMH, NATC.  All rights reserved.

Professional Counseling for Career and Life Transitions