Vermont New Hampshire DOT SAP Services

Employers with Department of Transportation (DOT) mandated safety sensitive employees are subject to the regulatory requirements specified in 49 CFR Part 40 regarding drug and alcohol misuse prevention. Any employer required to comply with DOT regulations must provide an individual who has tested positive for drugs or alcohol on a DOT mandated test with information about a qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).

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.) An SAP is not an advocate for the employer or employee.

The U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines are quite specific and require 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.

The return-to-duty process consists of the following: 1. An Alcohol and Drug evaluation with recommendations for treatment or education based on severity and need of the individual. 2. Once the treatment and/or education is complete a follow-up evaluation must be completed face-to-face. 3. An aftercare program to test employee for the next twelve months or more for alcohol and/or drug abuse.

The return-to-duty process must be completed when an individual violates the Federal Department of Transportation alcohol and drug testing rules. Safety-sensitive-duties cannot be performed until the return-to-duty process is complete.