The Designated Employer Representative (DER) Training is designed to provide DERs with knowledge of the drug and alcohol testing industry and the supervisory skills required to maintain compliance with both federally regulated U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing requirements as well as non-regulated policies.

Through the course, the student will receive:

  1. An overview of testing procedures to understand the complete testing process.
  2. An understanding of each U.S. Department of Transportation mode’s rules and regulations pertaining to drug and alcohol testing to ensure compliance whether the business is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Federal Railroad Administration.
  3. A full definition of the role of the DER to ensure company and DOT policy compliance.

Course Overview

For the most part, the training pertains to DOT processes and protocols for drug and alcohol testing as they are the standard that the majority of businesses and organizations follow. We also will discuss other federal testing types and non-DOT, non-mandated testing – which may follow company policies, state laws or municipal laws. It is essential for the DER to know what type of testing is done by their workplace and how to make sure they are following the correct procedures.

DER’s must have thorough knowledge and understanding of both drug test collection procedures and alcohol testing procedures. This includes familiarity with required forms including the Custody and Control Form (CCF) form for drug testing and the Alcohol Testing Form for alcohol testing.

This course only pertains to drug testing situations that are confirmed by a certified laboratory, reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO), and follow a strict forensic chain of custody that will stand up in the court of law. When DERs don’t follow the standards recommended in our industry, it will put their company at risk from both a legal and safety standpoint.  

Most of the discussion in this course will concern urine specimen drug testing as this is the only type of drug testing currently accepted by DOT. The majority of principles and procedures for urine testing also apply to hair sample, oral fluid or sweat patch testing which are allowed in some states for non-DOT/ non-mandated testing. The section of the course concerning alcohol testing focuses on the use of Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) devices for breath alcohol testing.

As the DER you are often the person who must step into the process when a problem occurs. This course provides the tools for dealing with any of the special circumstances that can arise in drug and alcohol testing while ensuring your company’s compliance with the regulation.

Upon completion of this professional-level course, you will have the information and skills to perform your duties as a DER at the highest standards of professional excellence.

As you move through the course, click the “Complete Lesson” button at the bottom of each lesson page to be taken to the next lesson.

Resources Library Glossary of Terms An Introduction to Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing Drug Testing Governance Explained Who is the DER? Overview of DER Responsibilities The DER and DOT Who and When to Test Under DOT What to Test For The DER and Company Policy Employees and the Company Policy Administration of the DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Program DER Duties and Service Providers: The Collector, BAT/STT and Lab The DER and the MRO DER Duties and Service Providers: The SAP and EAP DER Duties and Service Providers: The C/TPA Reasonable Suspicion or For Cause Testing Signs & Symptoms Highlights Urine Specimen Collection – Collection Site Urine Specimen Collection – CCF Urine Specimen Collection – Process Overview Urine Specimen Collection – Special Circumstances Urine Specimen Collection – Direct Observation Collections Urine Specimen Collection – Errors and Refusals The DER and Drug Test Results Alcohol Testing Process Overview The DER and Alcohol Testing Problems Alternative Testing Methods The DER's Role When an Employee Violates the Rules The DER and Record Keeping The DER and Compliance