Federal and State Drug and Alcohol Testing Training and Drug-Free Workplace Training

Did you know that the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation (BWC) Drug Free Safety Program (AKA Drug Free Workplace) has changed names?

Certified Training Solutions LLC is excited to introduce our new Online Certification Training for Oral Fluid Specimen Collectors! The launch of our newly developed online training program is specifically designed to qualify collectors to perform Department of Transportation (DOT) oral fluid specimen collections in compliance with the latest federal regulations. Certified Training Solutions’ convenient self-paced procedures training course, combined with live device profici

Certified Training Solutions LLC is proud to announce that our oral fluid collector procedures course will be available for purchase within approximately 1-2 weeks. We are awaiting the formal announcement of the DOT-approved device (Quantisal 2) and for the announcement of approved laboratory(ies) that will test the device. We all hope this will be shortly. Keep checking back to the Oral Fluid Specimen Collector training webpage for purchase options. Note: Collection sites a

Although the 49 CFR Part 40 Department of Transportation (DOT) rules were changed over nine (9) months ago to allow the use of oral fluid specimens for federal drug testing under the Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs, no oral fluid collections may be conducted as of the publication of this newsletter (March 18, 2024). We realize that everyone in this industry is anxiously awaiting the green light to begin training collectors to conduct

Oral fluid specimen collectors must successfully complete training as outlined in Section 40.35. Collectors must be thoroughly trained in the regulations and procedures relating to oral fluid specimen collections such as: how to properly complete the Custody and Control Form (CCF), how to conduct collections using your specific collection device(s), how to handle problem collections, and maintaining integrity and privacy. Collectors are also required to know the publication,

We have good news and bad news about the newly-published Final Rule recently announced by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) relating to oral fluid testing for safety-sensitive (“covered”) workers. The Good News Effective June 1, 2023, under the DOT’s mandated testing program, found in 49 CFR Part 40 , the addition of oral fluid use for federal drug testing is approved. Read the announcement and the DOT’s overview here: https://www.transportation.gov/odap

The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the effective date of regulations allowing oral fluid specimens to be used for federal drug tests. Under the DOT’s mandated testing program, found in 49 CFR Part 40, the addition of oral fluids is effective June 1, 2023.  (Note: The correct term for the bodily fluid used in drug testing regulations is ‘oral fluid’; however, we often notice people referring to it is “saliva testing”. Saliva is just one of the components that mak

Every employer should have a comprehensive policy that addresses their procedures for testing/collections (i.e. What are the applicants' or employees' identification requirements at the collection site, What substances do they test for, How are collections conducted, How are refusals handled, What are the consequences of refusing or testing positive, etc.) ... if this had been a DOT collection, the answer is more cut and dry. If the collection was occurring under FMCSA autho

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently issued new instructions to specimen collectors and employers in an effort to ensure that only federally-mandated drug tests are recorded on federal custody and control forms (CCFs). You may find it here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing/fmcsa-regulated-drivers-use-federal-ccf-only-when-conducting-dot When beginning a collection for a Department of Transportation (DOT)-regulated drug tes

We have updated three of our informative newsletters to assist our current and prospective customers. These include: How to Become a Breath Alcohol Technician 2. Choosing a Breath Alcohol Testing Instrument , and 3. DOT ALCOHOL TESTING: Breath Alcohol Technician(BAT) vs.Screening Test Technician(STT) The articles provide the same great information as the originals, such as steps you must take to become trained under the Department of Transportation (DOT) Rules to legally perf

The currently-used United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal chain of custody form for recording specimen collection and drug testing of federally-regulated employees was due to expire at the end of August 2020. However,  HHS/SAMHSA  has extended the expiration date and is allowing continued use of the current CCF through August 31, 2021. What Specimen Collectors Need to Know:  You may continue to use the current Custody and Control Form (CCF) with no changes .

PUBLIC NOTICE:   On June 17, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC) has issued extended guidance relating to re-qualification training requirements for certain service agents in the DOT drug and alcohol testing process. Service agents affected include breath alcohol technicians (BATs), screening test technicians (STTs), specimen collectors, medical review officers (MROs), and sub

During this time of the Coronavirus pandemic and concerns regarding the transmission of COVID-19, Certified Training Solutions would like to pass along breathalyzer-care information from the manufacturer of Alcovisor devices, such as the Jupiter, Mercury, and Mark V: "... we want to help ensure that everyone remains safe and healthy while using of our products. As part of this, preventing the spread of germs is very important whether it’s the flu, common cold, or the recent o

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued guidance relating to Federal testing during the Coronavirus pandemic. The published guidance may be found here: https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/compliance-with-dot-drug-and-alcohol-testing-regulations Essentially, the DOT is allowing a bit of leeway to covered/regulated employers that may not be able to meet Federal drug and alcohol testing requirements according to the 49 CFR Part 40 Rules due to the strain on resources

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced drug and alcohol random testing rates for calendar year 2020.  The new rates are available on our website at:  https://certifiedtrainingsolutions.com/current-dot-random-drug-and-alcohol-testing-rates.html The only major change for 2020 is an increase in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) random drug testing rate, which has increased from 25% to 50%.Covered/regulated employers are required to test regula

Certified Training Solutions has posted a new Newsletter article regarding the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse. FMCSA-regulated employers are required to register for the Clearinghouse and begin using it January 6, 2020. Medical Review Officers (MROs), Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs), and C/TPAs will also need to register to enter mandatory information regarding commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers' drug and alcohol testing history

Certified Training Solutions is pleased to share the news from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in support of our veterans with its Military Driver Programs. More details may be found at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/commercial-drivers-license/military-driver-programs Certified Training Solutions APPRECIATES OUR MILITARY and VETERANS. Thank You for your service!!

Free On-demand Webinar posted today:  Reasonable Suspicion for Supervisors-Training Requirements under the DOT (FMCSA, FRA, etc.) Watch the webinar here or on Youtube at:  youtu.be/znMmY2q2JeE This free, 10-minute webinar will teach you what the Department of Transportation training requirements for supervisor reasonable suspicion (drug & alcohol use awareness) are.  This training video covers the mandated training requirements for DOT Operating Agencies including: Federal M

New informative newsletter published today by Certified Training Solutions regarding Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration post-accident drug and alcohol testing. ​https://certifiedtrainingsolutions.com/newsletter-post-accident-drug-and-alcohol-testing-requirements-under-the-fmcsa.html

Certified Training Solutions is pleased to announce our brand new, fully online training course for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) POST-ACCIDENT testing.  This online training will answer the supervisor’s, manager’s, and designated employer representative’s questions regarding post-accident drug and alcohol testing in the transportation industry, such as: When does a truck driver or school bus driver have to submit to a post-accident drug and alcohol test