Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Return to Duty Process

Download PDF SAP Process Doc

When a safety-sensitive employee fails a drug and/or alcohol test, his or her career is stalled until specific steps in education and/or treatment are completed.

Mona Ellis is a competent professional providing regulatory support for employees while they navigate the return to duty process. Her expertise includes SAP Professional Evaluation Services, Treating and Diagnosing Substance Use Disorders, Consulting and Case Management Services

The Omnibus Transportation Act of 1991 required that an opportunity for treatment to be made available to covered employees. As a result, in 1994 the Department of Transportation (DOT) established the role of the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).

The DOT rules require an employer to advise a covered employee that violates DOT Drug and Alcohol Policy in writing about available SAPs in their area.

The employer is responsible for providing the employee with a list of available SAP Providers in their area.

What Does the Return To Duty Program and SAP Role consist of?

The Employer will notify the employee about the DOT Drug and Alcohol violation and provide the Employer with a list of DOT Qualified SAPs.The Employee will register for the FMSCA DOT Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, and contact the SAP to see if he/she is available to perform the SAP. If so, the Employer will send a Request to the SAP in FMSCA DOT Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to complete the RTD SAP Evaluations.

The SAP will receive the request in the FMSCA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and Accept the Employer's request.Initial face-to-face SAP Evaluation to determine what assistance is needed, if any, to address the employee's substance use.

SAP Referral to Education and/or Treatment

SAP Recommendation Compliance Monitoring and Case Case Management.

SAP Face to Face Follow-Up Evaluation to determine if the employee has complied with the SAP Recommendations.

The SAP will update the DOT Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse for Return to Duty Drug and Alcohol Test.

The Employer will complete Return to Duty Alcohol Test prior to the employee's return to work in a safety-sensitive position.

Make an Appointment                     

 Appointments available Monday thru Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday 9 to 2 pm.  Please complete the form and call (713) 266-2090 To Schedule Your SAP Evaluation Services. Your services will be prioritized and scheduled within 48 hours upon completing all your paperwork and consent forms online in the client portal system.