Blog Post Two

Understanding the DOT SAP Follow-Up Testing Requirements in CT & MA

If you’re a safety-sensitive employee returning to work after a DOT drug or alcohol violation in Connecticut or Massachusetts, you’re likely aware that working with a qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a required step in the return-to-duty process. But many don’t realize that your journey doesn’t end with compliance—a customized follow-up testing plan is also mandatory.

As your SAP, it is my responsibility to design and oversee a follow-up testing plan that ensures continued compliance and supports long-term recovery. This plan is tailored to your situation and must include a minimum of six unannounced follow-up tests within the first 12 months of your return to safety-sensitive duties, as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) under 49 CFR Part 40.

What to Expect in Your Follow-Up Testing Plan

• At least six unannounced tests within the first year of your return to duty.

• Testing may be scheduled at any time, and you will not be notified in advance.

• Your SAP determines the frequency, timing, and substances to be tested, based on your initial evaluation and any indication of substance use patterns.

If poly-substance use was identified during your evaluation, your follow-up testing plan will reflect this. For example:

• If your violation involved alcohol, your follow-up tests may include drug screening as well.

• If your violation was drug-related, alcohol testing will also be included to monitor for cross-addiction risk.

How Long Does DOT Follow-Up Testing Last?

Follow-up testing can last up to 60 months (5 years). However, I may terminate the follow-up testing plan any time after the first 12 months, provided all SAP-recommended tests up to that point have been completed and there are no compliance concerns.

Important: Follow-up testing is separate from and in addition to your employer’s DOT random testing program. You are still subject to random drug and alcohol testing even while under the SAP's follow-up plan.

Why This Matters

The follow-up testing phase is essential for ensuring public safety, maintaining DOT compliance, and helping you build confidence and accountability as you return to work. At Compass Recovery & Counseling, we provide DOT-qualified SAP evaluations and follow-up testing plans that are compliant, confidential, and tailored to your specific needs—serving clients throughout Connecticut (CT) and Massachusetts (MA).

Need Help with a DOT SAP Evaluation or Follow-Up Plan?
If you're navigating a DOT violation or need assistance with your return-to-duty process in CT or MA, contact us today. We're here to help you meet your DOT requirements and get back to work with confidence.

Blog Post Three

Failed a DOT Drug or Alcohol Test in CT or MA? Here’s What to Do Next

If you’re a CDL holder, truck driver, pilot, or other DOT-regulated employee in Connecticut or Massachusetts, and you've recently failed a DOT drug or alcohol test or left a testing site before providing a complete sample—your ability to continue working in a safety-sensitive role has been immediately impacted.

According to strict federal DOT regulations, employers are required to remove you from safety-sensitive duties immediately following a test refusal or a verified positive result. In many cases, drivers are either placed in non-safety-sensitive roles or terminated outright.

So, what happens next? How do you get back to work under DOT rules?

Step 1: Understand the DOT SAP Process

Whether you tested positive or refused to test, the process is the same: You must complete a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) evaluation before returning to any safety-sensitive duties.

What is a SAP?
A DOT-qualified SAP is a professional trained and certified to evaluate employees who have violated DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations under 49 CFR Part 40.

Your first step is to schedule a SAP evaluation with a qualified provider—either in person or via secure video (telehealth)—to determine the appropriate course of action.

Step 2: The Initial SAP Evaluation

As a DOT SAP, Paul Collette serves CT and MA, will begin with a structured assessment process that includes:

• A detailed written questionnaire

• A clinical interview (Zoom or in-person)

• Review of your substance use history and current situation

This evaluation is not meant to punish—it’s designed to determine what level of education, counseling, or treatment is most appropriate to support your safe return to work.

Step 3: Your Personalized Treatment or Education Plan

Based on your evaluation, the SAP will recommend a tailored intervention plan, which may include:

• Alcohol and drug education classes

• Outpatient counseling

• Residential treatment (in more severe cases)

Importantly, DOT regulations prohibit the SAP from referring you to their own treatment program or to one where they have a financial interest. This rule protects you and ensures that referrals are objective and ethical.

As your SAP, I will help you find reputable, accessible providers in your area, whether you're located in Hartford, New Haven, Boston, Worcester, or anywhere in between.

Step 4: Aftercare & Return-to-Duty Testing

Once you’ve successfully completed the required treatment or education, you’ll return for a follow-up SAP evaluation. If you’ve met all requirements, I’ll provide your employer with:

• A written report documenting your successful compliance

• A return-to-duty recommendation

• A follow-up testing plan (see our blog on DOT follow-up testing for more)

This process restores your eligibility to work in safety-sensitive positions regulated by the DOT.

Get Back on Track with a Trusted DOT SAP in CT or MA

Paul Collette, DOT SAP, LADC, understands how stressful a DOT rule violation can be. I specialize in helping CDL drivers and safety-sensitive workers navigate the SAP process smoothly and legally, so you can return to work and protect your career.

I provide telehealth SAP evaluations for all of Connecticut and Massachusetts, including drivers referred by major employers, third-party administrators (TPAs), and owner-operators seeking compliance.

Need to Schedule a DOT SAP Evaluation in CT or MA?

📞 Contact us today to get started. We’ll answer your questions, explain the process, and get you scheduled quickly—so you can get back on the road, in the air, or wherever your work takes you.