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

Check out our new/updated newsletter article that outlines the training requirements under the various DOT operating administrations -- in the free article you will learn what type of training and how much time your supervisors need to spend learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug abuse and alcohol use in employees.   If you are covered by any of the Department of Transportation agencies (FMCSA, FTA, FRA, PHMSA, or FAA), you do not want to miss reading...

Certified Training Solutions is happy to offer a free, on-demand webinar covering the upcoming changes to the Federal Regulations under 49 CFR Part 40.  Several important changes are effective soon that affect the Federal/DOT drug and alcohol testing program. This short, FREE on-demand webinar offered by Certified Training Solutions summarizes many of the important changes to the DOT Rules relating to drug and alcohol testing under the Federal Rules <49 cfr part 40> .  The R

Welcome to the November! Colder weather is setting in across the country, and this is the time when most folks begin thinking about the Holidays.Certified Training Solutions would like to remind everyone in DOT- and drug & alcohol testing-related industries not to forget about training and compliance during this busy time of the year.  The good news is that we offer a variety of convenient and simple-to-purchase online training courses to help make compliance with the various

​​Certified Training Solutions is proud to announce that our FRA Post-accident Determination Training and Supervisor Reasonable Suspicion Training courses have been APPROVED as Model Courses by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration for use by regulated employers.Employers:  You may find the course names & ID numbers by logging into your account on the Railroad Safety Portal (RRSP) at:  https://rrsp.fra.dot.gov Since the courses are AP

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the use of the 2017 Federal CCF as of August 8, 2017.  However, if you have a current supply of the 2014 forms, you may continue to use them through June 30, 2018.The new version of the CCF contains minor changes, including removing the checkbox in front of:  “DOT – Specify DOT Agency”.  (This way, collectors will not have to check both this box and the box in front of the specific Operating Administration that covers th

Are you ready for the expected changes to the DOT Rules on October 1, 2017?  If you engage in DOT or Federal drug and alcohol testing, we urge you to read about the proposed (likely) Rule changes and prepare yourself in advance.  Example:  It is proposed that all specimen collectors, breath alcohol technicians, screening test technicians, and others involved in the DOT alcohol and drug testing process must register for ODAPC's list-serve (to ensure that you keep abreast of re

Starting June 12, 2017, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Part 219 drug and alcohol testing Rules now cover maintenance of way (MOW) employees.  With this change, persons supervising these newly-regulated employees must have Post-accident Determination training (as required by 49 CFR Part 219.11(g), along with Supervisor Reasonable Suspicion (Signs & Symptoms of drug and alcohol use) training.Certified Training Solutions offers convenient, low-cost online training for

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) form 6180.73 has been updated!  In the event of a railroad accident or incident, be sure your post-accident testing materials are current. YOU are responsible for ensuring that FRA post-accident toxicological testing materials and forms are up-to-date.  You may find the new FRA form 6180.73 here:  https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L02782#p1_z10_gD_s10_lOT_lRO Also be sure that all supervisors of regulated employees receive the required

​Custody and Control Form (CCF) for Federal Drug Testing Expires Today Attention specimen collectors and employers of DOT-covered employees:  The current Federal Drug Testing Custody & Control Form (CCF) expires today, May 31, 2017.  However, a newer version of the CCF has not yet been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  Therefore, collectors should continue to utilize the current (expired) CCF for any urine collections for DOT or Federal drug tests. There

​At Certified Training Solutions, we often receive calls from prospective customers asking for assistance in starting their own drug and alcohol testing business.  We are always prepared to help, and we offer the initial required training courses/certifications and supplies needed to break into this business.  In fact, we receive so many of these types of calls from hopeful entrepreneurs that we created a short, but informative online training course called, “How To Start A D

Becoming a Professional Specimen Collector – one that is qualified to perform DOT collections – is not difficult.  There are steps that should be followed, and the Department of Transportation lists very specific training requirements to become a “qualified” collector. What sort of background do I need to become a Specimen Collector for DOT drug testing? The Department of Transportation (DOT) rules do not require Professional Specimen Collectors to have any specific backgroun

This article will teach you how to become a professional breath alcohol technician (BAT) – one that is qualified to perform the full Department of Transportation alcohol testing process.  There are steps that must be followed, and the Department of Transportation Regulations list very specific training requirements to become a breath alcohol technician.  What sort of background do I need to become a BAT for DOT alcohol testing? The Department of Transportation (DOT) rules do

Should I get trained as a BAT or STT -- What’s the difference? In the highly-regulated world of Department of Transportation (DOT) alcohol and drug testing, following the DOT’s Part 40 Rules regarding training remains a crucial piece to a successful and compliant testing program. At Certified Training Solutions , we often receive calls from potential customers that are interested in starting a drug and alcohol testing business.  A common question we are asked is, “Should I g

Choosing a Breath Alcohol Testing Instrument How do I know which alcohol testing device to select?With over 100 evidential breath testing devices listed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Conforming Products List (CPL), selecting the right breath alcohol testing instrument for you can be dizzying.First, it is important to understand that if you are going to be conducting any DOT alcohol testing whatsoever, you must use a device that is listed on

​New Department of Transportation (DOT) Publication Helps Employers Monitor Their Collection Sites for ComplianceThe DOT has issued a new publication called: "What Employers Need to Know About Monitoring Collection Sites"You may find the brochure at: https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/employer_brochure If you are like most employers, you probably use “service agents” to assist you in meeting the DOT drug and alcohol testing regulatory requirements.  For example, you may sen

Designated Employer Representative (DER) special extended!  Certified Training Solutions is offering a FREE Supervisor Reasonable Suspicion online training course with each DER course purchase (a $49.99 value!)  You may find the DER course at:  https://certifiedtrainingsolutions.com/designated-employer-representative.html .   Choose your operating agency for training in your specific industry: FMCSA, FAA, FRA, PHMSA, OR FTA.  Only $169.99. Fully online course, self-paced, and

Certified Training Solutions is pleased to announce the release of our NEW training courses for the Ohio BWC's Drug Free Safety Program.  As of today, three new courses are available online: New Supervisor's Drug-Free Workplace 2-hour Training Course Refresher Supervisor's Drug-Free Workplace 1-hour Training Course Employee Drug-Free Workplace 1-hour Training Course You may read more details about these online training courses for Ohio-covered employers and purchase them at

Certified Training Solutions offers a multitude of convenient online training courses related to the transportation and DOT industry that you can do "anytime, anywhere" and at your own pace.Check out our online Reasonable Suspicion training for supervisors at https://certifiedtrainingsolutions.com/reasonable-suspicion-training.html This Reasonable Suspicion training will provide the supervisors or driver with the required two hours of drug and alcohol use/abuse signs and symp

Make sure your supervisors and railroad representatives are compliant with the Federally-mandated training—FOR LESS and hassle-free!For a limited time, Certified Training Solutions is offering the following specials on our Online FRA Post-Accident Determination Training & Supervisor Reasonable Suspicion Training Course Combo Package.10% Off Single Course PurchaseOrOne FREE FRA Post-accident/Reasonable Suspicion Combo Course for each bulk purchase of 5 courses at regular price

We consistently stress to our clients and trainees that FOLLOWING THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS IS CRUCIAL. We have no room at  Certified Training Solutions  for “gray areas”, cutting corners, or trying to get away with something that is not allowed by the DOT Rules.  I’ve found myself saying countless times, “Follow the Regulations strictly or don’t bother being in the business.”Unfortunately, there are always those folks who try to skirt the regulations to make an extra buck, and