Becoming a Qualified Collector for DOT Drug Testing: The Necessary Steps

DOT drug testing is a process that is required by the Department of Transportation to ensure safety on the roads. If you are a commercial driver, then you must be familiar with the DOT drug testing process and know what is required of you. In this article, we will outline the necessary steps to becoming a qualified collector for DOT drug testing.

What is DOT drug testing and why is it important? 

DOT drug testing is a method of testing that has been implemented by the Department of Transportation to ensure safety on public roads. The Department of Transportation ensures that drivers are not under the influence while operating commercial motor vehicles. These include school buses, passenger vans, taxis, trucks, etc., so all commercial drivers need to pass a DOT drug test to operate their respective vehicles. To become qualified for this position you must pass the DOT Collector training course. This will certify you as an official DOT drug testing collector. 

Are there specific qualifications needed to become a qualified collector for DOT drug testing? 

Yes, to become a qualified collector for DOT drug testing you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. In addition, it is recommended that students have a college education in the fields of criminal justice, law enforcement, biology, chemistry, or other related fields.

There are three levels of training available to become a qualified collector for DOT drug testing:   A basic course, an intermediate course, and an advanced course.

• The basic level includes two days of classroom training plus one day of on-site certification-oriented training with hands-on practical work experience. It also requires passing a test at the end of the training program. This prepares individuals to conduct the initial DOT drug test on-site and certify the results. 
• The intermediate course includes five days of classroom and on-site certification training with hands-on practical work experience. It also requires passing a test at the end of the training program. This prepares individuals to conduct DOT drug tests and serves as a trainer for those performing DOT drug tests in their respective workplaces. 
• The advanced level includes up to 4 weeks of online curriculum plus 8 days of certification-oriented on-site training plus one day of orientation covering both theory and practical experiences. It also requires passing a test at the end of the training program. This will prepare qualified individuals to conduct initial, confirmation, split specimen, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty/follow-up collections including minors’ drugs testing. 

How long does it take to become a qualified collector for DOT drug testing? 

It typically takes around four weeks after the training course to become fully prepared to start collecting DOT drug samples. However, upon receiving your certification you may begin working immediately. As with any job, practice makes perfect so the more collections an individual performs, the better they will be at their job.

What are some of the most common DOT drug testing methods?

There are two primary methods for collecting samples for DOT drug testing which include urine tests and breathalyzer tests. Urine test requirements include that the specimens must be collected at a laboratory or medical facility instead of by an employer, that they need to follow proper chain-of-custody procedures, that they are conducted during business hours, etc. Breathalyzer tests can either be observed or non-observed depending on the employer’s discretion and may require the use of a DOT Breathalyser Kit. All breathalyzers need to comply with Federal specifications to ensure accuracy in testing even if it is validating another company’s breath testing device.

If someone fails or does not pass their first attempt at a DOT drug test it will result in automatic 24-hour removal from safety-sensitive functions. Upon return to work following these 24 hours without any additional positive test results, the individual must undergo an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) evaluation. If they get another positive result before returning to work after the 24-hour removal period then that individual will be removed from safety-sensitive functions for at least 90 days and may require participating in a follow-up drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. If someone fails or does not pass their second attempt at a DOT drug test they will be removed from safety-sensitive functions for no less than one year and may also need to participate in a follow-up drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

What are the responsibilities of a qualified collector?

One of the most important responsibilities for a qualified collector is to ensure that all protocols are followed by Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines. Specific requirements include collecting, labeling, and submitting samples, scheduling tests, instructing the tested individual on how to provide proper specimens for collection, and filling out forms after each test needs to be completed by qualified collectors for DOT drug testing.

How to maintain compliance with DOT drug testing regulations? 

Maintaining compliance with the DOT drug testing regulations is very important for individuals who are collecting samples. If any of the requirements are not followed it could result in a false positive or cause the sample to be deemed invalid which would result in automatic 24-hour removal from safety-sensitive functions.

What does a qualified collector wear when working with DOT drug testing? 

Individuals wearing proper attire for DOT drug testing must be easily identified by tested candidates. Appropriate clothing includes solidly colored shirts and pants, no open-toe shoes, no revealing clothes, no uniforms including military outfits, police uniforms, EMT uniforms, etc., clear identification name tags including the collector’s last name and their company’s information printed on the tags, and no professional cameras or recording devices. 

What is a DOT drug test collection glassware kit?

The DDS approved collection glassware kits are required for collecting a urine specimen and include a specimen cup, temperature strip, plastic bag or tube with screw cap, paper towel or cotton wipe, the collector’s identification label with their name, date of birth, and other information collected from the tested individual such as height, weight, eye color, etc., and an instruction sheet.

Other items that may be included in the kit depending on where it was purchased from including a book of evidence tape or labels to seal the container after testing which needs to have proper seals to insure that tampering did not occur during transportation to the lab, hand sanitizer gel to decrease the potential for a false positive if the tested individual uses their container, and a pen or pencil to complete paperwork at the time of testing.

DOT drug testing is a process that is necessary to maintain safety while on the job. There are specific guidelines and regulations that collectors must follow to ensure the validity of results. It is important for those who wish to become qualified DOT collectors to understand these responsibilities and how to maintain compliance with all applicable regulations.