FAA Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors

FAA Reasonable Suspicion Training is a 2-hour self-paced online course created by attorney and subject matter expert Andrew Easler and was designed to assist employers with ensuring compliance and safety in the aviation industry. In addition to initial training, this course can also be used to comply with the recurrent/refresher training requirements and use the initial training course to comply with the initial training requirements found in 14 C.F.R. § 120.115(c)(4).

Training complies with section 120.115, which covers training requirements for determinations to test based on suspicion of controlled substance (drug) use, and section 120.217 covers training requirements for determinations to test based on suspicion of alcohol use. This course is designed to comply with these regulations as part of an FAA-regulated employer’s overall Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Supervisors of safety-sensitive personnel covered by federal aviation regulations must be capable of making determinations to test an employee suspected of prohibited drug or alcohol use and comply with FAA regulations 14 C.F.R. § 120.115(c) and 120.217(d) that govern the training requirements for supervisors who will make reasonable cause and reasonable suspicion determinations for employees covered by the FAA drug and alcohol testing regulations.

These regulations require 60 minutes of training on specific, contemporaneous physical, behavioral, and performance indicators of probable drug use and 60 minutes of training on the detection of symptoms of alcohol misuse based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the employee.

Training supervisors not only ensure compliance with FAA regulations but also contribute significantly towards reducing workplace accidents and injuries, thereby promoting a culture of safety and accountability. Learners are proficiently equipped to make accurate reasonable suspicion determinations and recognize suspicious behavior, playing an instrumental role in enforcing the FAA's Drug-Free Workplace policy and upholding public confidence in air travel.

FAA Reasonable Suspicion Training is a user-friendly 2-hour course developed to ensure employers in the aviation industry uphold the highest levels of safety, compliance, and operational excellence. The training was developed by attorney and subject matter expert Andrew Easler and is designed to offer both an introductory learning pathway and subsequent recurrent/refresher training in line with 14 C.F.R. § 120.115(c)(4) regulations.

Training can be conveniently accessed through our intuitive eLearning platform; alternatively, it can be delivered personally by our expert trainers on-site. And for those seeking a smooth transition to their existing third-party learning management systems, we also have made our SCORM files available for licensing to facilitate a quick, seamless integration process and ensure training is always up-to-date.

We have built our training to meet or exceed the requirements of section 120.115 and section 120.217, delivering the crucial training needed to make accurate testing determinations based on suspected substance misuse, and as a cornerstone of any Employee Assistance Program (EAP), this course ensures alignment with FAA-regulated responsibilities and fosters a strong, informed workforce.

Training is primarily designed for supervisors responsible for safety-sensitive personnel under federal aviation regulations and empowers these key employees with the necessary skills to make informed decisions regarding suspected substance misuse, fostering a safer, more harmonious workplace and ensuring strict compliance with FAA regulations 14 C.F.R. § 120.115(c) and 120.217(d).

Learners will spend 60 minutes identifying specific, contemporaneous physical, behavioral, and performance indicators of probable substance misuse, followed by an additional 60 minutes dedicated to recognizing signs of alcohol misuse based on employee appearance, behavior, speech, or body odors.

Training benefits aviation organizations by enhancing the competence and confidence of their supervisory personnel, providing them with critical skills to identify and manage potential risks proactively. This leads to a safer, more productive working environment and protects your organization's reputation by ensuring regulatory compliance and demonstrating a commitment to employee well-being and promoting a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

FAA Reasonable Suspicion Training is more than a course – it's an investment in the safety, integrity, and future success of any organization in the aviation industry. Whether online or through direct interaction in our on-site/in-person training sessions, we are committed to facilitating a meaningful, productive learning experience.

The following are key objectives for our FAA Reasonable Suspicion Training course, which aims to comprehensively prepare supervisors in the aviation industry to effectively identify and address potential cases of substance misuse within the workplace:

• Enable supervisors to comprehend FAA regulations 14 C.F.R. § 120.115(c) and 120.217(d) related to reasonable suspicion determinations, thereby ensuring regulatory compliance.

• Equip supervisors with the skills to recognize suspicious behavior and activity with 100% proficiency, aiding in accurate and timely reasonable suspicion determinations.

• Foster an understanding of industry-specific terms and the protocols involved with reasonable suspicion determinations, as demonstrated by achieving 75% or higher on an online quiz.

• Provide knowledge about specific, contemporaneous physical, behavioral, and performance indicators of probable drug use and the detection of symptoms of alcohol misuse.

• Encourage an understanding of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) within the context of an FAA-regulated workplace.

• Promote a culture of safety and accountability by instilling the importance of the FAA's Drug-Free Workplace policy.

• Facilitate the identification of potential risks related to drug and alcohol misuse in the aviation industry, leading to a reduction in workplace accidents and injuries.

• Prepare supervisors to effectively intervene and handle situations involving suspected drug or alcohol misuse, ensuring the consistent application of testing procedures.

• Train supervisors to document incidents that lead to reasonable suspicion testing accurately.

• Highlight the importance of ongoing refresher training to remain current with regulations and best practices, encouraging yearly re-enrollment.