Before the appointment
We send you a confirmation with the secure telehealth link or the in-person address, and a short intake form. The intake asks for basic demographic information, the testing event that triggered the SAP requirement, and your work history. It takes about 10 minutes.
The clinical assessment (60–90 minutes)
Your SAP conducts a face-to-face or video clinical assessment. The conversation covers your background, the violation, your substance-use history, any treatment history, and your current circumstances. The format follows the DOT-required clinical structure, but the tone is conversational — not interrogative.
The recommendation
At the end of the session, your SAP issues a specific written recommendation for education or treatment. The recommendation is binding — you must complete the specific program recommended, not a substitute. Your SAP also sends a copy to your employer's Designated Employer Representative (DER) — but only the recommendation and your compliance status, never your clinical record.
After the initial evaluation
You complete the recommended program at your own pace. When finished, you return to the same SAP for a follow-up evaluation. If the SAP determines you've successfully complied, you're cleared for the return-to-duty test, and a follow-up testing plan is issued.