The Drug Test Collector plays a critical role in the workplace drug screening process. Along with the employer, the testing facility and the Medical Review Officer (MRO), the collector is an essential part of a system developed to ensure drug-free workplaces for the sake of public safety.
As the collector, you are the only individual in the drug-testing process who has direct, face-to-face contact with the employee. You ensure the integrity of the specimen — whether it is oral fluid or urine — and the collection process. You begin the chain of custody that includes the laboratory; the MRO; the employer; and, possibly, the courts. You also are responsible for protecting the rights and confidentiality of the employee/donor.
This training is a professional-level course that provides the knowledge and skills to qualify drug test collectors to perform U.S. Department of Transportation-regulated oral fluid drug tests and non-regulated tests. Course participants also have the option of becoming professionally certified after completion of this course. This designation confirms the collector is committed to the drug and alcohol testing industry’s highest standards.
Upon successful course completion, you will be part of the first generation of DOT-qualified oral fluid drug test collectors, setting an important standard for federal drug testing moving forward.
The Course
This professional-level course meets the regulatory standards of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule 49 CFR Part 40 and provides a solid foundation for a wide range of testing programs.
| Regulatory Standard | Examination | Deliverables | Industry Applicability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Final examination – 90% to pass | Universal skills set | Multi-industry |
| 40 CFR Part 40 – Subparts | Knowledge of DOT/HHS regulations | DOT-regulated sector | |
| HHS | NDASA Certification | Regulated by federal, state or local mandates | |
| NRC | Private sector |
How to take the course
The Oral Fluid Collector Training involves multiple parts that must be completed in a specific order to achieve certification.
1. Before starting the training, the collector must:
- review 49 CFR Part 40 and be familiar with the regulatory language;
- review the DOT Oral Fluid Specimen Collection Guidelines when available;
- review DOT agency regulations;
- review “Instructions for Completing the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form for Oral Fluid Specimen Collection” (Available in the Resource Library)
- review manufacturer instructions for the FDA-approved oral fluid testing device (view video in the Resource Library);
- download the sample Custody and Control Form. This form guides the entire drug collection process. Review the document and have it at hand throughout the entire course.
2. Take the course Pre-Test to show familiarity with the subject matter based on a review of the materials provided.
3. Complete all lessons in the training with required short quizzes.
4. Take the final exam. A score of at least 90% is required. After passing the examination, continue to the Next Steps lesson for instructions on how to set up five supervised mock collections with a live examiner.
5. Within 30 days, schedule five mock demonstrations with a live examiner to demonstrate proficiency in collections, using the FDA-approved oral fluid testing device for DOT split-specimen testing. These are required for qualification and certification.
6. Once you have completed five consecutive, error-free proficiency demonstrations (mocks), you will be qualified and can perform both federally regulated and non-regulated oral fluid drug test collections.
7. To be designated a Certified Professional Collector for Oral Fluid Drug Testing (CPC-OF) by the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association, qualified collectors must (a.) sign an agreement promising to adhere to the standards set in the training, to earn Certified Professional Collector certification and (b.) send documentation confirming successful completion of the online course and mock demonstrations to [email protected].
All lessons, quizzes and exams in the online portion of this course must be completed within 30 days from start, or the student risks losing course progress.
