SAP Drug & Alcohol Testing Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In DOT drug testing, what is a 'split specimen' collection?
- A specimen divided between two independent laboratories for simultaneous analysis
- A single void separated into Bottle A (primary) and Bottle B (split) for a potential retest (Correct answer)
- Two separate voids collected on different days and analyzed together
- A specimen that failed the temperature check and was recollected under observation
Correct answer: A single void separated into Bottle A (primary) and Bottle B (split) for a potential retest
A split specimen collection divides one void into Bottle A, which is tested first, and Bottle B, which is sealed and stored for a potential employee-requested retest.
Question 2: If a DOT employee's alcohol confirmation test result is 0.02 but less than 0.04, what is the required employer action?
- Immediately terminate the employee
- Remove the employee from safety-sensitive functions for at least 8 hours (Correct answer)
- Immediately refer the employee to a SAP
- Allow the employee to continue working with a written warning
Correct answer: Remove the employee from safety-sensitive functions for at least 8 hours
Under 49 CFR Part 40.265, a BAC of 0.02–0.039 is not a formal violation but requires the employee be removed from safety-sensitive duties for at least 8 hours.
Question 3: Which professional is solely responsible for receiving laboratory drug test results and making the final determination (positive, negative, cancelled, etc.) under DOT regulations?
- Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)
- Designated Employer Representative (DER)
- Medical Review Officer (MRO) (Correct answer)
- Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT)
Correct answer: Medical Review Officer (MRO)
The MRO is a licensed physician trained in DOT drug testing regulations who reviews laboratory results and verifies or cancels them based on medical evidence.
Question 4: What must a DOT collector do if a urine specimen's temperature is outside the acceptable 90–100°F range?
- Discard the specimen and reschedule testing for the next day
- Document the out-of-range temperature on the CCF and immediately collect a second specimen under direct observation (Correct answer)
- Report the collection as a refusal to test
- Send the specimen to the lab with a temperature discrepancy note only
Correct answer: Document the out-of-range temperature on the CCF and immediately collect a second specimen under direct observation
Per 49 CFR Part 40.65, when specimen temperature is outside range, the collector notes it on the CCF and collects a second specimen under direct observation to detect possible substitution.
Question 5: What device must be used to confirm a DOT alcohol test result at or above 0.02?
- Any FDA-cleared breathalyzer device
- A NHTSA-approved Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) device (Correct answer)
- A laboratory blood alcohol analyzer
- A saliva-based alcohol testing strip approved by the employer
Correct answer: A NHTSA-approved Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) device
Only an EBT device on the NHTSA Conforming Products List may be used for DOT alcohol confirmation tests, as required by 49 CFR Part 40.
Question 6: Under DOT alcohol testing procedures, how long must the Breath Alcohol Technician wait before conducting the confirmation test after a positive screening result?
- No waiting period is required
- At least 15 minutes but no more than 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- At least 30 minutes but no more than 60 minutes
- Exactly 1 hour
Correct answer: At least 15 minutes but no more than 30 minutes
49 CFR Part 40.251 requires a 15–30 minute waiting period between the screening and confirmation tests to prevent mouth alcohol from causing a falsely elevated result.
Question 7: Who is qualified to serve as a Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) under DOT alcohol testing regulations?
- Any licensed healthcare professional in good standing
- A person trained and proficient in operating EBT devices and DOT alcohol testing procedures (Correct answer)
- Only a certified Medical Review Officer with breath testing endorsement
- A law enforcement officer with any prior breathalyzer experience
Correct answer: A person trained and proficient in operating EBT devices and DOT alcohol testing procedures
Under 49 CFR Part 40.213, a BAT must successfully complete DOT-approved training on EBT operation and alcohol testing procedures, regardless of other professional licensure.
SAP Drug & Alcohol Testing Procedures 2
In DOT drug testing, what is a 'split specimen' collection?