What is a DOT Substance Abuse Professional?

A DOT-qualified SAP is a licensed professional who evaluates employees who have violated DOT drug and alcohol regulations and recommends education or treatment before they can return to safety-sensitive duty.

How quickly can I get an evaluation?

Initial evaluations are available within 72 hours of referral. Expedited scheduling within 24 hours is available for an additional fee.

Are evaluations done in person or remotely?

Both options are available. In-person evaluations are offered at our Baltimore, MD office at 575 S. Charles Street, Suite 140. Remote evaluations are conducted by secure video for employees anywhere in the United States.

Primary Service

DOT SAP Evaluations

Federally required return-to-duty evaluations under 49 CFR Part 40. In-person at our Baltimore, MD office or remote by secure video — serving all DOT-regulated industries nationwide.

Overview

If you failed a DOT test, you need a SAP

Federal law removes you from safety-sensitive duty after a drug or alcohol testing violation. You cannot return to that work until a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional evaluates you and you complete the return-to-duty process. Not every counselor can do this. The SAP must hold a qualifying credential, pass a DOT examination, and keep continuing education current.

I meet all three requirements and I can see you this week.

The Process

The SAP evaluation process

Contact us to schedule

Call or submit the contact form. We confirm your appointment within one business day. Choose in-person at our Baltimore, MD office or remote by secure video. Initial evaluations are available within 72 hours.

Initial evaluation

A clinical interview in person or by secure video. Charlotte reviews the violation, your history, and any relevant records. The evaluation typically takes 60–90 minutes.

Written recommendation

Charlotte provides a written report to your employer within one business day. The report states what education or treatment is recommended before you can return to duty.

Complete the recommendation

You complete the education or treatment program Charlotte recommended. That program bills you directly — it is not part of the SAP fee.

Follow-up evaluation

Charlotte confirms you completed the recommendation and provides a follow-up report to your employer authorizing return-to-duty testing.

Return-to-duty test

Your employer arranges a directly observed return-to-duty test. A negative result is required before you resume safety-sensitive work.

Follow-up testing plan

Charlotte writes the follow-up testing plan and provides it to your employer. Federal regulations require at least six unannounced tests in the first 12 months back on duty.

Coverage

Covered industries

Charlotte provides SAP evaluations for employees in all six DOT-regulated transportation modes.

FMCSAFederal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationCDL drivers, commercial motor vehicle operators. FMCSA Clearinghouse registration required — Charlotte is registered.

FTAFederal Transit AdministrationBus operators, rail operators, dispatchers, and other safety-sensitive transit employees.

FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationFlight crew, air traffic controllers, aircraft maintenance, and other aviation safety-sensitive positions.

FRAFederal Railroad AdministrationTrain operators, conductors, dispatchers, and other railroad safety-sensitive employees.

PHMSAPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety AdministrationOperations, maintenance, and emergency response employees on pipeline and hazardous materials facilities.

USCGUnited States Coast GuardMerchant mariners and other USCG-regulated safety-sensitive positions.

Fees

What it costs

Published, flat, and the same for everyone. You will know your full cost before your first appointment.

$500Complete SAP programInitial evaluation, follow-up evaluation, all employer reporting, and FMCSA Clearinghouse entries — everything required by 49 CFR Part 40.Flat rate — everything included

+$150Expedited schedulingInitial evaluation within 24 hours

Note: This does not cover the education or treatment program I recommend (billed by that provider), your return-to-duty test (arranged with your employer), or your follow-up tests. Payment plans are available — ask when you call.

FAQ

Common questions

Can I just see my own therapist or counselor?

No. The evaluation must be done by a Substance Abuse Professional who meets the federal requirements in 49 CFR 40.281 and has passed the DOT examination. An evaluation by anyone else will not return you to duty.

Will my health insurance pay for this?

Almost never. Insurers treat SAP evaluations as an employment requirement rather than medical care. Ask when you call about payment options.

Do I have to travel to Baltimore?

No — but you can if you prefer. In-person evaluations are available at our Baltimore, MD office. Remote evaluations by secure video are also available for employees anywhere in the country.

Will you decide I need expensive rehab?

I recommend only what the assessment supports. The level of care is a clinical judgment, and I have no financial interest in any program I refer you to.

Does my employer see everything I tell you?

No. Your employer gets the report the regulation requires — that you were evaluated, what is recommended, and whether you completed it. The clinical detail of our conversation is not in that report.

Who decides when my follow-up tests happen?

Your employer. The SAP writes the plan and provides it to your employer, who then schedules and administers the unannounced tests.

Can I switch to you if I already started with another SAP?

No. Once a SAP has evaluated you, that same SAP must carry your case through to completion. You cannot move to a different SAP partway through, and starting over does not reset the process.

My commitment to you

What I commit to

Initial evaluation within 72 hours of referral

In-person evaluations at our Baltimore, MD office or remote by secure video — your choice

Report to your employer within one business day

Clearinghouse entries recorded promptly for CDL drivers

I carry your case through the follow-up evaluation and write the follow-up testing plan I provide to your employer