FAQ: Becoming a DOT Drug and Alcohol Test Collector

Becoming a DOT drug and alcohol tester is an interesting job. You get to work with many different people on a daily basis, learn how to determine if someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, And learn a lot about the drug and alcohol field. Government studies show that one out of six workers has a problem with drug abuse, so it’s important to test for these things.

If you are interested in doing DOT drug and alcohol test training, you probably have a few questions. Many things that you might be wondering are very common and also very easy to answer.

How Do I Become a Collector?

To be qualified as a collector, you must understand part 40 regulations, DOT agency regulations, and understand the current “DOT Urine Specimen Collection Procedures Guidelines.” You also have to go through a qualification training successfully. Following that, you have to pass a proficiency demonstration. These are all required by DOT regulations. If and when you do pass the demonstration, your qualifications are not limited to a specific site. So if you want to relocate, but still want to be a collector, your qualifications will follow you.

Do I Need to Be Certified?

Oddly enough the DOT does not require a collector or collection site to be certified when they are administering urine drug tests. In fact, collection sites can’t become certified at all. Only an individual collector can become certified to collect urine specimens, however, it isn’t necessary to do so. Take a look at your workload in your financial situation and determine for yourself if you want to become certified or not.

What Documents Should I Have to Show I’m Certified?

If you are interested in becoming certified, you will most likely be given a certificate upon completing the course. Typically, that’s all you will be asked for. However, you may be asked to provide detail on what you learned during training so the inspector can rest assured that you are able to accurately administer rapid drug screens.

If you are interested in becoming involved with DOT drug and alcohol test training, you may have some questions. Take a look at the top three commonly asked questions listed above to determine whether this path could be feasible for you.