What Steps Are Necessary to Become a Qualified DOT Collector?

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has established procedures and training requirements for those wanting to become qualified specimen collectors for drug testing, learners must follow these steps:

1. Familiarize with 49 CFR Part 40: This part of the Code of Federal Regulations establishes how DOT drug and alcohol testing must be conducted. Collectors need to understand and adhere to these guidelines.

2. Training: Complete a DOT collector training program which must cover the following:

   • All steps to correctly collect a urine specimen, as detailed in 49 CFR Part 40.
   • The importance of maintaining the integrity and security of the specimen collection process.
   • How to handle situations such as shy bladder, tampering attempts, or refusals to test.
   • Mock collections, in which you demonstrate proficiency in urine collection under various scenarios.

3. Qualification Training and Initial Proficiency Demonstration: The training should include:

   • Five mock collections:
     • Two uneventful collection scenarios
     • One scenario with a temperature out of range
     • One scenario where the donor tries to tamper with the specimen
     • One scenario with a shy bladder

4. Documentation: Obtain a certificate or letter of completion from a training company, like WorkTraining.com, showing that you have completed training and mock collections. Keep this documentation for your records and provide a copy to any employers or service agents that require it.

5. Refresher Training: If you make a serious mistake during the collection process (as outlined in 49 CFR Part 40.33), you may undergo error correction training. Additionally, even if no errors are made, collectors must complete refresher training every five years, including undergoing another mock collection round.

6. Maintain Professional Conduct: It's essential to conduct yourself professionally and maintain donor privacy at all times. Any deviation from protocol or misconduct could lead to disqualification.

7. Stay Updated: Regulations, best practices, and technologies related to drug testing can change. It's crucial to stay informed about any updates to DOT regulations or procedures related to drug specimen collection, which is why mock collections are required every 5-years.

Another important consideration when trying to become a DOT Collector for urine, breath alcohol, and oral fluid is selecting a reputable training provider for drug and alcohol tests is crucial because a credible provider ensures compliance with 49 CR Part 40 and ensures that learners have the most up-to-date training content which ensures tests are conducted uniformly and legally following property chain of custody procedures. 

While hiring "cheap" or "discount" providers is enticing, inadequate training can lead to compromised test results, like false positives or negatives, and such errors can bring legal challenges, including lawsuits and fines, damaging a company's and the industry's reputation, especially in sectors like transportation, errors can pose severe safety risks, and any mishandled test can result in financial burdens due to necessary retests.