REMINDER: SAP REQUESTS

A SAP must approve a designation request before entering a driver’s information

Substance abuse professionals (SAPs) must record certain information about a driver’s return-to-duty (RTD) process in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Before a SAP can enter RTD information about a driver, the SAP will need to receive and approve that driver’s request in the Clearinghouse to become their designated SAP.

Drivers are instructed to contact a SAP and establish a relationship prior to designating the SAP in the Clearinghouse. If a SAP receives a designation request from a driver with whom they have not had previous contact, the SAP should reach out to the driver prior to accepting the request.

For more details on responding to SAP designation requests, download the How to Report RTD Information Job Aid.

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What do SAPs report in the Clearinghouse?

Once a SAP accepts a designation request from a driver, the SAP is able to report information about that driver’s return-to-duty (RTD) process in the Clearinghouse.

The SAP will only record two entries in the Clearinghouse for each driver:

• The date of the initial SAP assessment
• The date the SAP determines that the driver is eligible for RTD testing.

Once the driver is determined eligible for RTD testing, the driver’s employer must direct the driver to take the RTD test. If the driver is not currently employed, they will need to secure employment with an employer willing to ‘sponsor’ them through the remainder of the RTD process. The employer is also responsible for recording when a driver has a negative RTD test result, and has successfully completed the follow-up testing plan.

For more information on this process, see 49 CFR part 40 subpart O or download the Return-to-Duty Process infographic below.

Download the RTD Process Infographic →

Email sent: 10/15/2020