Department of Transportation (DOT) Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Services in New Jersey, Florida, and Louisiana.
Receiving a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug or alcohol safety violation can be a stressful experience and may leave employees and employers with many questions about what happens next. Sage Sea provides clear communication and compassionate, professional guidance throughout the SAP portion of the return-to-duty process.
As a qualified DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), Sage Sea completes independent initial and follow-up SAP evaluations for employees who have violated DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations. Our evaluations are conducted by a dually licensed Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) in New Jersey. The provider also holds the Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC) credential through the IC&RC, satisfying the strict federal prerequisite credential requirements to act as a DOT SAP.
Services are conveniently available online via secure, HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms. We serve eligible individuals located in New Jersey, individuals in Florida under our active out-of-state telehealth provider allowance, and individuals in Louisiana where we maintain an active out-of-state professional license.
Our role is to provide a thorough, individualized clinical evaluation, determine what education and/or treatment is appropriate, and guide the employee through the SAP portion of the return-to-duty process in accordance with 49 CFR Part 40, Subpart O.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)?
A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a qualified professional who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and continuing care. The SAP conducts an independent professional evaluation and is not an advocate for either the employee or the employer.
Who needs a SAP evaluation?
Employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation generally must complete the SAP process before returning to DOT safety-sensitive duties. The specific requirements depend on the violation and the applicable DOT agency regulations under 49 CFR Part 40.
What happens during a SAP evaluation?
A SAP conducts a comprehensive, individualized clinical assessment. Based on the evaluation, the SAP determines what education and/or treatment is appropriate and makes recommendations for the employee to complete before a follow-up evaluation. There is no one-size-fits-all SAP recommendation. Recommendations are based on the individual evaluation and are intended to address the employee’s needs while protecting public safety.
Can an employer choose my SAP?
An employer must provide an employee who has a DOT violation with information about SAP services, including a list of qualified SAPs. An employee may also locate and select a qualified SAP independently.
Can an employer change the SAP’s recommendations?
No. An employer, employee, managed-care provider, or other service agent may not change a SAP’s evaluation or recommendations. The original SAP may modify recommendations when appropriate based on new or additional information.
Can I return to work after my SAP evaluation?
The initial SAP evaluation alone does not authorize an employee to return to safety-sensitive duties. The employee must successfully comply with the SAP’s education and/or treatment recommendations. The SAP then conducts a follow-up evaluation to determine whether successful compliance has been demonstrated.
If the employee successfully completes the SAP process, the SAP provides the required report to the Designated Employer Representative (DER) and establishes the required follow-up testing plan. If the employer permits the employee to return to safety-sensitive duties, the employer must ensure the required return-to-duty test is completed with the required result before the employee resumes those duties. The employer ultimately makes the employment decision, not the SAP.
How many follow-up tests are required?
The plan must include at least six unannounced follow-up tests during the first 12 months of safety-sensitive duty following the employee’s return. The SAP may require additional follow-up testing during the subsequent 48 months, for a total follow-up period of up to 60 months. The SAP determines the number and frequency of follow-up tests. The employer is responsible for scheduling the tests, and the employee must not be given the testing schedule in advance.
Do you choose the dates of my follow-up tests?
No. The SAP determines the number and frequency of follow-up tests, but does not establish the specific testing dates. The employer is responsible for arranging the testing without advance notice to the employee.
Can you provide my treatment after the SAP evaluation?
No. DOT regulations generally prohibit a SAP from referring an employee requiring assistance to the SAP’s own private practice or to a provider or organization with whom the SAP has a financial or business relationship. If education or treatment is recommended, we will provide an appropriate referral consistent with DOT requirements.
Can you perform my SAP evaluation if you are already my therapist?
No. SAP services and psychotherapy are separate professional services. We do not provide SAP evaluations for our own therapy clients. This separation helps maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoids conflicts of interest between the SAP and psychotherapy roles. SAP services are independent of psychotherapy. The SAP is not an advocate for the employee or the employer. The role of the SAP is to professionally evaluate the employee and make recommendations intended to protect public safety.
Do you provide SAP services for FMCSA Clearinghouse violations?
Yes. We provide DOT SAP evaluations for eligible employees with DOT drug and alcohol violations, including cases involving the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. The SAP evaluation is one part of the return-to-duty process. The employer, Designated Employer Representative (DER), Medical Review Officer (MRO), testing facility, Clearinghouse, and other parties have their own responsibilities within the process.
Are SAP services available online?
Yes! Our SAP evaluations are conducted entirely online using a secure, HIPAA-compliant video and audio connection. Services are currently available online to eligible individuals located in New Jersey, in Florida under our active out-of-state telehealth provider allowance, and in Louisiana under our active out-of-state professional license.
DOT Agencies and Industries Served
DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements apply to employees performing safety-sensitive functions under several federal transportation agencies, including:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
- United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Ready to Begin?
Contact Sage Sea DBT about DOT SAP services: 609-373-2378 or fill out our contact form!
Current service availability: New Jersey, Florida, and Louisiana
