Question 1

1. Do you report information to the DOT Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For drivers regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is required under 49 CFR §40.311 to report:
The date of the initial SAP evaluation, and
The date the driver is determined eligible for Return-to-Duty (RTD) testing.
The SAP does not report test results and does not change a driver’s status to “Not Prohibited.”

Question 2

2. Who reports the negative Return-to-Duty (RTD) test result?

Accepted Answer

The employer, or a consortium/third-party administrator acting on the employer’s behalf, is responsible for reporting the negative RTD test result to the Clearinghouse, in accordance with 49 CFR Part 382.
Until the negative RTD test is reported by the employer, the driver’s Clearinghouse status will remain “Prohibited,” even if the SAP process has been completed.

Question 3

3. Is the $500 SAP fee refundable?

Accepted Answer

No. The SAP fee is non-refundable.
The fee applies regardless of outcome or completion of recommended services and covers the professional SAP evaluation, required reporting, and case closure activities as defined under federal regulations.

Question 4

4. Can I complete the SAP process if I live outside Oklahoma City?

Accepted Answer

Yes. SAP evaluations are available via secure telehealth statewide in Oklahoma, when clinically and legally appropriate.

Question 5

5. How long does the SAP process take?

Accepted Answer

Federal regulations do not set a fixed timeline for completion of the SAP process.
The overall length depends on:
How quickly the individual completes the required education or treatment, and
When documentation of completion is received.
The follow-up SAP evaluation occurs only after all recommendations are completed and verified.

Question 6

6. What happens if I do not start services within six months of the SAP evaluation?

Accepted Answer

SAP evaluations are valid for six months.
If the individual does not begin recommended services within six months of the initial SAP evaluation, a new SAP evaluation is required under 49 CFR Part 40.

Question 7

7. Does the DOT Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse apply to all DOT-regulated employees?

Accepted Answer

No. The Clearinghouse applies only to drivers regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Employees regulated by other DOT agencies (including FAA, FTA, FRA, PHMSA, or USCG) are not subject to Clearinghouse registration. In those cases, SAP documentation is provided directly to the employer or designated compliance representative.

Question 8

8. Why do I still appear as “Prohibited” in the Clearinghouse after completing the SAP process?

Accepted Answer

Completion of the SAP process does not automatically change Clearinghouse status.
Under federal regulations:
 • The SAP reports eligibility for RTD testing, and
 • The employer reports the negative RTD test result.
Only the employer’s submission of a negative RTD test result changes a driver’s status to “Not Prohibited.”

Question 9

9. How long does a violation remain in the DOT Clearinghouse?

Accepted Answer

A violation remains visible in the Clearinghouse for five years from the date of the violation, or until the follow-up testing plan is successfully completed, whichever is later. This timeline is established by FMCSA regulation.

Question 10

10. What if I changed employers after completing my SAP process?

Accepted Answer

Changing employers does not automatically update Clearinghouse records.
If a negative RTD test result was not reported by a previous employer, the record may remain open. A new employer may, in some circumstances, order a new RTD test and submit the negative result in compliance with federal regulations.

Question 11

11. Can the SAP contact my employer or treatment provider on my behalf?

Accepted Answer

The SAP communicates with employers and treatment providers as required to verify compliance with federal regulations.
The SAP does not provide ongoing administrative advocacy or manage employer delays, third-party administrator processes, or employment decisions beyond what is required under 49 CFR Part 40.

Question 12

12. Can the SAP make my employer move faster or correct employer errors?

Accepted Answer

No. The SAP does not control employer timelines, testing availability, or administrative processing.
Employer delays or reporting errors fall outside the SAP’s regulatory role.

Question 13

13. Should I contact the office if I have questions about the Clearinghouse?

Accepted Answer

This page is intended to address the most common Clearinghouse questions based on federal requirements.
Repeated requests for clarification of information already provided may be redirected to this page.

What is a DOT SAP evaluation?

DOT-Compliant Return-to-Duty SAP Services