CPC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CPC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. How many copies does a standard federal CCF contain, and what is the purpose of Copy 1? → Five copies; Copy 1 is sent to the laboratory with the specimen
2. A debtor who communicates only in Spanish contacts the agency. The ethical approach is to: → Make reasonable efforts to communicate in the debtor's preferred language
3. What must collectors avoid to maintain ethical practice? → Maintaining neutrality
4. What GC-MS confirmation cutoff concentration must be met or exceeded for a marijuana specimen to be reported as a confirmed positive? → 15 ng/mL of THC-COOH
5. What information must be confirmed from the donor's ID before beginning the collection process? → Full legal name and a photo match
6. Which DOT agency requires drug testing for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers? → Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
7. How long must collection site records, including copies of the CCF, be retained under DOT regulations? → At least two years
8. Which laboratory certification is required for federal workplace drug testing under SAMHSA? → HHS/SAMHSA certification
9. What is the first step in a specimen collection procedure? → Verify the donor's identity
10. What should a collector do if a donor refuses to sign the CCF? → Document the refusal and notify the DER
11. What is the primary purpose of the split specimen (Bottle B) in a federal drug test? → To allow re-testing if the primary is positive or invalid
12. The 'mini-Miranda' warning required by the FDCPA must be included in: → Every communication with the consumer during the collection process
13. What is the primary testing method used by certified laboratories as the initial screen for drug metabolites in urine? → Immunoassay
14. What must a collector do when the employer's pre-printed CCF contains incorrect information? → Cross out the incorrect information, enter the correct data, initial and date the change
15. If a donor is still unable to provide a specimen after the three-hour shy bladder period, what must the collector do? → Discontinue the collection and document it as an incomplete collection, notifying the DER
16. Which of the following is considered Other Potentially Infectious Material (OPIM)? → Cerebrospinal fluid
17. Which scenario best represents an ethical skip-tracing practice? → Accessing public records and credit header data through permissible channels
18. When can donor information be shared? → Only with authorized individuals
19. If a donor refuses a required direct observed collection under DOT regulations, the collector must: → Document the refusal and immediately notify the Designated Employer Representative (DER)
20. Under DOT Part 40, direct observed collection requirements apply specifically to which specimen type? → Urine specimens only
21. Under the FDCPA, which of the following constitutes a prohibited third-party disclosure? → Leaving a voicemail that mentions the debt to a shared household phone
22. Under DOT Part 40, who must serve as the observer for a male donor during a direct observed collection? → A male observer
23. After an accidental needlestick, what is the FIRST action a collector should take? → Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water
24. Which federal agency's regulations govern specimen validity testing procedures for transportation industry drug testing programs? → The Department of Transportation (DOT) under 49 CFR Part 40
25. What should be done if a specimen is tampered with? → Document and report immediately
26. Under DOT 49 CFR Part 40, what is the minimum volume of urine required for a primary specimen? → 30 mL
27. When collecting a urine specimen for a chain-of-custody drug screen, what is the minimum required volume typically specified? → 30 mL
28. When must a collector report a potential fatal flaw on the CCF to the laboratory? → Immediately, as fatal flaws may require the specimen to be cancelled
29. Under FDCPA Section 805(b), a collector may contact a third party for what specific purpose? → To obtain the location information of the consumer
30. Which practice best aligns with ethical data minimization principles in debt collection? → Retaining only the information necessary to collect the specific debt