INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released new
Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Guidelines, which cover over 7
million transportation safety-sensitive positions such as: airline
pilots, school bus drivers, shipping boat captains, and tractor
trailer drivers, just to name a few. The regulations require that
any safety-sensitive individual who refuses a drug test, tests
positive for drugs, or has a breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or
greater must be immediately removed from duty and referred to a SAP.
QUALIFICATIONS
The definition of a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is as
follows: a SAP is a licensed physician (Medical Doctor or Doctor of
Osteopathy); or a licensed or certified psychologist, social worker,
or employee assistance professional; or an addiction counselor
certified by one of the following organizations:
1. Louisiana Addictive Disorders Regulatory Authority (ADRA) as
either a Licensed Addictions Counselor
(LAC); Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC); or
Registered Addictions Counselor (RAC) IF a member
of LASACT – LAC’s, CAC's, and RAC's who
are NOT members of LASACT do not qualify;
OR
2. International Certification and Reciprocity
Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (IC&RC/AODA).
OR
3. National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Certification Commission (NAADAC)
Currently, all LAC's, CAC’s, and RAC's who are members of LASACT meet the definition of SAP because of LASACT’s membership in the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).
The change in the requirement is that all SAP’s must be knowledgeable and remain current with the DOT Substance Abuse Professional Guidelines. To this end, the US Department of Transportation required that all existing SAP’s receive and complete the SAP training and testing before December 31, 2003. Following completion of the SAP training the counselor must satisfactorily complete an examination. Then, all SAP’s need a refresher course every 3 years to be able to continue to act as a Substance Abuse Professional. Any SAP who did not receive the training and testing prior to December 31, 2003 cannot do DOT work until this process is complete.
DOT STUDY COURSE
In order to meet the needs of the currently certified population
LASACT has acquired a 12 hour home study course that will satisfy
the SAP training requirement. This course, "The Substance Abuse
Professional Guidelines, as Required by the US DOT", gives
knowledge of the SAP’s core competencies and what counselors need to
know to be an effective SAP. After completing the course, the
student must take and pass an "open book" exam in order to verify
completion of the study. The test is submitted to LASACT, which
sends it to the course author for grading. Results are returned in
approximately 10 working days. LASACT then issues a certificate of
successful completion of the Course.
This home study course can also be used to meet 12 hours of CEU requirements for recertification as a LAC, CAC, or RAC by the Addictive Disorders Regulatory Authority whether or not the student takes the SAP exam.
SAP EXAM
The training is only one part of the new requirement; the other
is the SAP exam, which must be administered by a nationally
recognized professional or training organization whose examination
must be validated by a test evaluation organization. The examination
must comprehensively cover all the elements of qualification
training. LASACT has access to the IC&RC exam that meets these
requirements. Please note that two separate tests are involved in
this process: (1) an "open book" test on the home study course,
taken at home, to verify successful completion of it and
(2) the SAP exam, which will be administered by LASACT at times
and locations to be announced.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
LASACT is offering this training and exam to all LAC's, CAC's, RAC’s, and
other qualified professionals in Louisiana who are interested in
pursuing DOT work. Anyone who wishes to take this course must
complete the following steps. SAP applicants with LAC, CAC, or
RAC credential from the Addictive Disorders Regulatory Authority
(ADRA) must be LASACT members to qualify as an SAP. A membership
application form can be downloaded from this web site. Membership
in LASACT is required for the entire period that an LAC, CAC, or RAC
holds a valid SAP certificate.
Other types of professionals, i.e. LCSW's, LPC's, LMFT's, etc., who
wish to become an SAP must verify
that they meet the DOT's qualifications for this designation
before applying to LASACT for the course
and test.
PROCEDURE
1. Download the home study course application form
here, and submit it to LASACT with appropriate
fee.
2. LASACT will send the course - preferably by e-mail but will
also mail it - to the applicant. If course is
mailed, a $15 postage and handling fee applies.
3. When applicant completes the course, he/she faxes or mails to
LASACT only two documents: the
answer sheet and evaluation form.
4. LASACT faxes the answer sheet and evaluation form to the
author of the test, who scores them and
returns the Pass/Fail score to LASACT within 10 working
days.
5. LASACT notifies applicant of score, sends him/her a
certificate for 12 hours of continuing education
credit, and schedules him/her to take the SAP test. This test
is administered quarterly on the regular
IC&RC testing schedule or can be given in the LASACT office
at a mutually convenient time.
6. When LASACT receives notification of SAP test score, we notify
applicant, provide a certificate showing
that applicant is qualified to do SAP work, and list
applicant on this web page. Those who do not
pass the SAP test may schedule to re-take it.
7. SAP must be renewed after three years. Re-certification course
is available only through Distance
Learning Center for Addiction Studies: www.DLCAS.com.
Those who want only CEU credit and do
not intend to take the SAP test should keep a copy
of the course certificate to submit to ADRA when renewing
credentials.
CONCLUSION
The SAP training is offered on an ongoing basis. According to
DOT, no counselor can be considered an SAP until completing the
required training and taking the exam. Tests can be taken in the LASACT office at any time. LASACT requires a two week advance notification to give
time to order the test from IC&RC. Or the test can be taken at the
IC&RC quarterly testing period (March, June, September, and
December).
As previously noted, this home study course can also be used to
meet 12 hours of CEU requirements for recertification as an LAC, CAC,
or RAC by
the ADRA, whether or not applicant takes the SAP exam.
The SAP exam covers a lot of DOT regulations. A web page that is helpful to review before taking the SAP exam is as follows:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/40.htm.
The SAP test fee is $275 for LASACT members and $375 for non-members.
SAP Renewal
The
SAP Certificate is valid for three years from date of issue. A
course to renew it is available at
www.dlcas.com. Re-testing is
not required. After taking this online renewal course, send a copy
of the certificate of course completion to LASACT for your records
here. If we do not receive this certificate, we will remove your
name from our web site. Keep a copy of the certificate for the
renewal course in your records so that it will be available in the
event of an audit.
It is the responsibility of the individual SAP to keep track of renewal dates. Since the SAP is not a LASACT certification, we do not send out renewal reminders.
**********************************
SAP's
The persons listed below have successfully
completed both the DOT Home Study Course and the
Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) examination and hold themselves
out as being able to
perform DOT work. Please verify their credentials with them.
SAP Contact Information provided by Individual.
| Name | Contact Information | SAP# / Exp. Date | City/Zipcode | |
| Angela Alexander | Second Wind Connection, LLC 107 Wall Blvd, Ste. C 504.261.7512 |
#046 | Gretna, LA 70056 | |
| Barbara M. Allen | SAP Expired | Shreveport, LA | ||
| Mary S. Boudreaux | Thibodaux Addictive Disorders Clinic 303 Hickory St. Phone: 985.447.0851 | #002 5/31/2013 |
Thibodaux, LA 70301 | |
| Jacqueline A. Danzell | Oasis Behavioral Wellness 910 Pierremont Rd., Suite 410 Phone: 318.861.8625 Fax: 318.861.8626 |
#A45 | Shreveport, LA 71106 | |
| Rebecca L. Davis | Terrebonne
Addictive Disorders Clinic 521 Legion Ave. Phone: 985.857.3612 Fax: 985.857.3782 Rebecca.Davis@la.gov | #037 1/20/2014 | Houma, LA 70364 | |
| Perry deLapouyade, LAC | Office: 504-304-9980 Fax: 504.267.4062 Cell: 504.884.3575 perrylac@hotmail.com"> | #033 11/10/2012 |
New Orleans, LA 70119 | |
| David Dickson | DSAD Counseling 1295 Florida Ave.SW Phone: 225.243.5573 Fax: 225.243.6029 dpdickson@hotmail.com | #028 8/31/2014 |
Denham Springs, LA 70726 | |
| Bill Dockett | 4140 Hollywood Ave. Contact #: 1.877.360.2464 Fax: 480.247.4641 sap@dockettandassociates.com www.dockettandassociates.com |
6/30/2012 | Shreveport, LA 71109 | |
| Corinne P. Dumestre | 248 Pease Road dacor127@bellsouth.net | SAP Expired | Haughton, LA 71037 | |
| Preston Elder | 1949 Denver Dr. Phone: 225.975.0215 pwelder@cox.net |
#039 2/28/2014 |
Baton Rouge, LA 70810 | |
| Mechele de Avila Evans, LCSW, LAC, SAP, CCDP-D | de_avila_mechele@hotmail.com | #022 11/9/2012 | Baton Rouge, LA 70815 | |
| David Fatheree | 407 Hillbrooke Dr. Phone: 337.298.8885 | #A043 6/30/2013 |
Broussard, LA 70518-4576 | |
| Gerald Fontenot | Phone: 337.893.6313 (home) Cell: 337.298.3770 bgf45@bellsouth.net |
SAP Expired | Lafayette, LA | |
| Daryl W. Hebert | P.O. Box 513 Phone: 225.921.8855 aspire-cs@cox.net |
#034 6/30/2013 | Gonzales, LA 70707 | |
| Penny Henderson | HERS, LLC 3505 5th Avenue, Suite A-1 Phone: 337.802.5093 or 337.477.0999 HERSLLC@bellsouth.net |
SAP Expired | Lake Charles, LA | |
| Adrienne Hennessey | The Center for Health and Healing 1301 Amelia St., Suite B Phone: 504.684.5368 info@centerforhealthandhealingnola.com www.centerforhealthandhealingnola.com | #041 7/31/2014 |
New Orleans, LA 70115 | |
| Carla D. JeanBatiste | cfdj@aol.com | SAP Expired | St. Martinville, LA 70582 | |
| Sheryl Johnson | HERS, LLC 3505 5th Avenue Suite, A-1 Phone: 337.802.5093 or 337.477.0999 HERSLLC@bellsouth.net | SAP Expired | Lake Charles, LA | |
| Will J. Jones | 2829 Youree Dr., Ste 5 Phone: 318.868.8717 | #A044 6/30/2014 | Bossier City, LA | |
| Ronald L. Key | 442 Jordan St. Phone: 318.425.1928 |
#033 10/31/2012 |
Shreveport, LA 71101 | |
| David Legendre, Ph.D. | 3008 Pinhook Rd. Phone: 337.233.1111 Fax: 337.235.8888 | SAP Expired | Lafayette, LA, 70508 | |
| Claude "Sonny" McCutcheon | SAP Expired | Fort Worth, TX | ||
| Christine Lerille McGill | Acadiana EAP 222A Rue de Jean Phone: 337.993.0000 | SAP Expired | Lafayette, LA 70508 | |
| Kathleen McGraw, MPH, MSW, LCSW, BACS |
Kathleen McGraw, LCSW and Associates, LLC 3350 Ridgelake Drive, Suite 200 Phone: 504.836.3883 kathleen@McGrawandAssociates.com | SAP Expired | Metairie, LA 70002 | |
| John P. Mehlhorn, MA, LAC, ICADC | 2955 Ridgelake Dr. Suite 209 Phone: 504.832.0025 jpmehlhorn@aol.com |
#A042 6/22/2012 |
Metairie, LA 70002 | |
| Ralph J. Melancon, Jr., LAC, AADC, CCDP-D, CCS | Addiction Professionals of Louisiana P.O. Box 1313 Phone: 985.637.5041 ramel521@yahoo.com | #040 5/31/2014 | Thibodaux, LA 70302 | |
| Jemece Richard Gasaway | HERS, LLC 3505 5th Avenue Suite, A-1 Phone: 337.802.5093 or 337.477.0999 HERSLLC@bellsouth.net |
SAP Expired | Lake Charles, LA | |
| Sherry Riddle | Lagniappe Counseling Services 218 Rue Louis XIV, Suite A Phone: 337.988.1271 Cell: 337.319.1175 Fax: 337.988.1272 | SAP Expired | Lafayette, LA | |
| Rev. Martin Romero, MA, LAC, CCS | 1127 Belleview Street Phone: 985.399.0171 Fax: 985.399.7805 |
#023 11/30/2012 | Morgan City, La. 70380 | |
| Ron Rush, Ph.D., LCSW | Institute For Neuropsychiatry 2829 Fourth Ave., Suite 150 Phone: 337.477.7091 Fax: 337-474-4554 | SAP Expired | Lake Charles, LA 70601 | |
| Chris Salter, LAC, CCGC, CCDP-D, SAP | 617 South Trenton St., Suite B Phone: 318.251.4659 salterclinic@yahoo.com | #029 12/31/2011 | Ruston, LA 71270 | |
| Susan Shirley, LAC, SAP | 3 Flagg Place #A3, Phone: 337.356.5486 | #038 03/31/2014 | Lafayette, LA 70508 | |
| Paul Schoen, LAC, CCGC, SAP | 100 Mariners Blvd., #6 Phone: 985.626.0995 pschoen62@msn.com | #027 4/30/2014 | Covington, LA 70433-4708 | |
| Matthew Sias, CAC | Bridge Back to
Life, 667 Anderson Street Life87@yahoo.com |
#025 | Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 | |
| Christy J. Snuggs | Phone; 337.852.8822 christysnuggs@gmail.com acadianacounselor.com | SAP Expired | Scott, LA 70583 | |
| Ann M. Speyrer | SAP Expired | Opelousas, LA | ||
| Camye Thibodaux | Phone: 985.209.5482 camye@charter.net |
#013 12/31/2012 | Thibodaux, LA | |
| Martin Thibodeaux | Thibodeaux & Associates Phone: 504.450.1182 mthibo2000@yahoo.com | #031 9/21/2012 | New Orleans, LA | |
| Donald R. Thomas |
3018 Old Minden Road, Suite 1106B Phone: 318.210.9744 donthomas@suddenlinkmail.com | #014 4/30/2014 | Bossier City, LA 71112 | |
| Elizabeth Thomas | 3018 Old Minden Road, Suite 106B Phone: 318.210.9744 lizjthomas@suddenlinkmail.com | #030 3/3/2012 | Bossier City, LA 71112 | |
| Jodi Maureen Underwood, MA, LAC, LPC, SAP | Compass Counseling, LLC 4957 Big Lake Rd. Phone: 337.477.0708; Fax: 337.477.0508 | #015 7/31/2013 | Lake Charles, LA 70605 | |
| Deryl F. Veazey | SAP Expired | Lafayette, LA | ||
| Joseph Wilson, Ph.D., LCSW-BACS, LAC, CCS, SAP | Keys For Sober Living, LLC Phone: 337.364.9094 or 337.364.9071 www.keysforsoberliving.com | #035 9/30/2013 | Lafayette, LA 70506 | |
| Guy C. Zachry | Marah Counseling & Coaching Services, LLC 3 Flagg Place, Ste. A3 Phone: 337.857.8375 | SAP Expired | Lafayette, LA 70508 |