Department of Transportation Updates Drug Testing Requirements

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) currently requires urine testing for safety-sensitive transportation industry employees subject to drug testing under Part 40. The DOT made the following changes to its drug testing regulations in order to harmonize with certain parts of the revised Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs using Urine:

1. The addition of testing for four controlled substances, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone, to its drug-testing panel.
2. The removal of methlenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) as a confirmatory test analyte from the existing drug-testing panel.
3. The addition of methlenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) as an initial test analyte.

These changes take effect on January 1, 2018, and have been put in place to address the nationwide opioid abuse epidemic. According to the DOT, “Adding the four drugs, which are already tested for in many transportation employers’ non-DOT testing programs because of their widespread use and potentially impairing effect, will allow the DOT to detect a broader range of drugs being used illegally. This will enhance the safety of the transportation industries and the public they serve.”

For detailed information, visit: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-11-13/pdf/2017-24397.pdf.

How Cisive Keeps Your Company DOT Compliant

Cisive and its drug screening partners support DOT-wide regulations that identify how to conduct proper testing and return employees to safety-sensitive duties after a DOT drug and alcohol violation. Employers who must conduct DOT screenings are in certain regulated industries, such as commercial motor carriers, aviation, railroad, public transportation, pipeline, or maritime.

Cisive’s Compliance Team continually tracks and monitors both proposed and enacted changes in Federal and State legislation through our involvement in industry trade groups, including the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS). Cisive is one of a select group of background screening companies that has received NAPBS accreditation, adhering to detailed and specific requirements governing business processes and controls both general in nature and specific to the background screening industry.

Cisive has also partnered with Encompass Compliance Corporation, the industry’s most comprehensive provider of workplace drug and alcohol testing compliance services, to provide an electronic solution to meet state specific regulations. By making the required material available in the applicant portal, your drug screening program will remain compliant every step of the way.

For more information on drug screening compliance, contact a Cisive representative at 1-866-557-5984 or click here.

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