DOT agency
PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)
Regulation
49 CFR Part 40 & 49 CFR Part 199
Format
Secure telehealth, Pennsylvania-wide
Who this is for
- Pipeline operators and controllers
- Field maintenance technicians
- Leak survey and integrity crews
- Valve operators
- Emergency response personnel
- Natural gas distribution and transmission employees
What to expect
Your initial evaluation is a confidential 60–90 minute clinical session. We discuss the Part 199 violation, your background, and your situation, then recommend specific education or treatment.
After completion, you return for the follow-up evaluation. Once cleared, your employer arranges the directly observed return-to-duty test and we issue a follow-up testing plan.
The evaluation is a fair, confidential clinical conversation, not a punishment. The SAP reviews your Part 199 violation and your situation and recommends exactly what Part 40 requires. Pipeline work is safety-sensitive and closely regulated, so we document your compliance thoroughly and share only what your employer's plan and the MRO require.
Mode-specific details
Operator-specific plans: Each PHMSA-regulated pipeline operator maintains its own anti-drug and alcohol misuse plan under Part 199. The SAP process is uniform regardless of which operator's plan triggered the testing.
No Clearinghouse: Unlike FMCSA, PHMSA has no national database. Your records stay with your employer and any inspection record.
Multi-mode workers: If you also hold a CDL for hauling product, FMCSA rules apply to that side of your work and the SAP process satisfies both.
Pennsylvania's pipeline workforce is large and varied — natural gas gathering and transmission tied to the Marcellus and Utica shale, interstate hazardous-liquid lines, and local gas distribution utilities. Part 199 applies uniformly across covered operators, and telehealth lets field crews complete the evaluation without leaving their region or losing extra days.
Frequently asked
I work on a pipeline crew but I'm not the operator — does PHMSA apply to me?+
49 CFR Part 199 covers employees who perform operation, maintenance, or emergency-response functions on a covered pipeline. If you operate valves, perform leak surveys, respond to emergencies, or maintain pipeline facilities, you're likely covered. Your employer's drug & alcohol plan will list which positions are covered.
Can I work on non-pipeline construction while I complete the SAP process?+
PHMSA only restricts covered pipeline functions. Whether you can perform other work depends entirely on your employer's policy and assignment decisions.
Does the PHMSA process require Clearinghouse reporting?+
No. The FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse only applies to CDL drivers under FMCSA. PHMSA does not have an equivalent national database — your violation and SAP records stay with your employer's records and any applicable DOT inspection records.
I work for a small pipeline operator — do the same rules apply?+
Yes. Part 199 applies regardless of pipeline operator size if the pipeline is covered. The SAP process is identical.
Is a telehealth SAP evaluation accepted for PHMSA-covered employees?+
Yes. DOT permits SAP evaluations by secure telehealth across all modes, including PHMSA. Your evaluation and reporting carry the same weight as an in-person session.
What does the evaluation cost, and how does telehealth work?+
Pricing is upfront with no surprise fees (see the cost page); any recommended program is billed separately by that provider. The evaluation is a confidential 60–90 minute video session — all you need is a phone or computer and a private place to talk.
How fast can I be seen, and how long does the process take?+
Most PA pipeline workers get an appointment within a few business days. The full timeline depends on the recommended education or treatment and how quickly you complete it; the initial evaluation is the fast first step, and we start you immediately.
More questions? See all DOT SAP evaluation FAQs →
Other DOT modes we serve
Cost, timing, and what comes next
Serving Pennsylvania statewide