DOT agency
FRA (Federal Railroad Administration)
Regulation
49 CFR Part 40 & 49 CFR Part 219
Format
Secure telehealth, Pennsylvania-wide
Who this is for
- Locomotive engineers
- Conductors and trainmen
- Dispatchers and operators
- Signal employees
- Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) covered service employees
- Class I, regional, short-line, and commuter rail personnel
What to expect
Your initial SAP evaluation is a 60–90 minute confidential clinical session. The SAP reviews the Part 219 violation, your work history, and current circumstances, then makes a specific recommendation for education or treatment.
After you complete the recommendation, we conduct your follow-up evaluation. Once cleared, your railroad arranges your directly observed return-to-duty test, and we issue a follow-up testing plan for at least the first 12 months.
This is an honest clinical assessment, not a disciplinary hearing. The SAP reviews your Part 219 violation and your circumstances and recommends exactly what Part 40 requires — nothing more. Railroading is safety-critical work under real scrutiny, so we document your compliance carefully and report only what your railroad's DER and the MRO are entitled to receive.
Mode-specific details
Part 219 vs. Part 40: Part 40 sets the universal SAP and return-to-duty process; Part 219 lays out FRA-specific rules around random pools, post-accident testing, and reporting. Your SAP evaluation satisfies the Part 40 requirements regardless of which Part 219 testing event triggered the violation.
Post-accident testing: If your violation came from post-accident testing, the SAP process is the same — but additional FRA accident reporting and any NTSB involvement run on a parallel track managed by your employer.
Pennsylvania's rail workforce includes Norfolk Southern and CSX operations, Amtrak and SEPTA Regional Rail crews, and dozens of regional and short-line carriers. The SAP process is uniform across all of them. Because we work by telehealth, you can complete your evaluation without traveling off your territory or losing extra days.
Frequently asked
Does the FRA SAP process apply to me as a Maintenance-of-Way worker?+
Yes. 49 CFR Part 219 covers covered service employees performing functions including train and engine service, dispatchers, signal employees, and certain Maintenance-of-Way employees. If you're randomly tested under FRA, the SAP requirement applies.
Can I keep working in a non-covered role while I complete the SAP process?+
FRA only restricts covered-service functions. Your railroad employer may assign you to a non-covered role temporarily, but that's the employer's decision under your CBA, not a DOT requirement.
Will the BAC level on my test affect the SAP recommendation?+
DOT considers a confirmed alcohol concentration of 0.04 or higher a violation requiring SAP evaluation. Levels at or above 0.02 but below 0.04 require removal from safety-sensitive duty for 8+ hours but do not by themselves trigger the full SAP process — unless paired with other violations.
Do FRA random tests count toward my follow-up testing requirement?+
No. Follow-up tests are specifically directed by your SAP and are separate from random pool selection. You remain in the random pool while also completing your follow-up testing plan.
Is a telehealth SAP evaluation accepted for FRA-covered employees?+
Yes. DOT permits SAP evaluations by secure telehealth across all modes, including FRA. The evaluation and follow-up reporting are treated the same as an in-person session.
How much does it cost, and how does the video session work?+
Pricing is upfront with no surprise fees (see the cost page); any recommended education or treatment is billed separately. The evaluation is a confidential 60–90 minute video session — a phone or computer and a private spot are all you need.
How fast can I be seen, and how long is the full process?+
Most PA railroad workers get an appointment within a few business days, evenings included. The total timeline depends on the recommended program and how quickly you finish it; the initial evaluation is the fast first step, and we start you right away.
More questions? See all DOT SAP evaluation FAQs →
Other DOT modes we serve
Cost, timing, and what comes next
Serving Pennsylvania statewide