SAPACC, the Substance Abuse Program Administrators’ Certification Commission, is the national (U.S.) certifying body for substance abuse program administrators (SAPAs) and drug and alcohol program administrators (DAPAs) who have chosen to be recognized as specialists with demonstrated proficiency in their field. It is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality and level of professional knowledge and skills of individuals providing drug and alcohol testing and related services to the public. SAPACC established a national certification program for SAPAs and DAPAs and administers national examinations for SAPAs, DAPAs and Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs).
Click on a category below for information:
- What is a C-SAPA?
- What is a C-DAPA-MC?
- What is a C-DAPA-A?
- Is certification required?
- Why certify?
- What is a Q-SAP?
SAPACC
7220 SW SYLVAN CT
PORTLAND, OR 97225-3742
Phone: 866-538-4788
FAX: 503-297-4748
Email: sapaccassistant@aol.com
President: Jana Wolfgang
SAPACC Bylaws
C-SAPA, C-DAPA AND Q-SAP INFORMATION
Please note that most of the following documents are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. To obtain a free copy of the Adobe Reader, go to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. If you need any of the Adobe documents in Microsoft Word format, please email or call SAPACC.
C-SAPA: CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
- Overview of C-SAPA Application Process/Fees
- Minimum Competence of a SAPA
- C-SAPA Information Guide
- C-SAPA Application
- C-SAPA Documentation of Experience
- Timeline for Exam Application and Preparation
- Examination Study Guide Order Form
- C-SAPA Certification Exam Dates
C-SAPA: RECERTIFICATION INFORMATION
- Overview of Recertification Process/Fees
- C-SAPA Recertification Guide
- C-SAPA Recertification Application
C-DAPA-MC (FMCSA): CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
- C-DAPA-MC Informational Flyer
- Overview of C-DAPA-MC Application Process/Fees
- Minimum Competence of a DAPA-MC
- C-DAPA-MC Information Guide
- C-DAPA-MC Documentation of Experience
- C-DAPA-MC Application
- C-DAPA-MC Certification Exam Dates
C-DAPA-A (FAA): CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
- C-DAPA-A Informational Flyer
- Overview of C-DAPA-A Application Process/Fees
- Minimum Competence of a DAPA-A
- C-DAPA-A Information Guide
- C-DAPA-A Documentation of Experience
- C-DAPA-A Application
- C-DAPA-A Certification Exam Dates
Q-SAP: EXAMINATION INFORMATION
- Overview of Q-SAP Application Process/Fees
- Q-SAP Qualification Information
- Q-SAP Credentials Self-Verification Form
- Q-SAP Qualification Examination Design & Validation
- Q-SAP Qualification Exam Dates
Q-SAP: RENEWAL INFORMATION
CURRENT LISTS OF C-SAPAS AND Q-SAPS
OTHER LINKS
SAPACC works with other professional organizations to achieve its goals of enhancing the quality and level of professional knowledge and skills of individuals providing drug and alcohol testing and related services to the public.
SAPAA
The Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association mission is to establish,
promote, and communicate the highest standards of quality, integrity,
and professionalism in the administration of workplace substance abuse
prevention programs through education, training and the exchange of ideas.
DATIA
The Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association’s mission is to
represent the drug and alcohol testing industry in Washington, DC on key
legislative and regulatory issues; to expand the workplace drug and alcohol
testing market; to provide members information, resources and benefits
important to their operations; and to promote the highest possible standards
for the industry.
DOT
Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance
The Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC) publishes,
implements and provides authoritative interpretations of the DOT published
rules on who must conduct drug and alcohol tests, how to conduct those
tests and what procedures to use when testing.
Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR)
The Code of Federal Regulations is the codification of the general and
permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments
and agencies of the Federal Government.
MROCC
The Medical Review Officer Certification Council, MROCC, a physician-based
non-profit board, offers certification to physicians who have had appropriate
medical training in the duties and responsibilities of the professional
MRO.
AAMRO
The American Association of Medical Review Officers is a nonprofit professional
medical organization dedicated to establishing national standards and
certification of medical practitioners in the field of drug and alcohol
testing.
ASAM
The American Society of Addiction Medicine is the nation's medical specialty
society dedicated to educating physicians and improving the treatment
of individuals suffering from alcoholism and other addiction.
DOL
Working Partners
The Department of Labor Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free
Workplace strives to build a drug-free workforce by equipping businesses
and communities with tools and information to effectively address drug
and alcohol problems.
EAPA
Established in 1971, the Employee Assistance Professionals Association
(EAPA) is the world's oldest and largest membership organization for employee
assistance professionals. EAPA hosts an annual conference, publishes a
journal for the employee assistance profession, and offers trainings and
other resources to enhance the professionalism of its members and the
industry.
NAADAC
The National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors is the
premier global organization of addiction focused professionals who enhance
the health and recovery of individuals, families, and communities.
C-SAPA is the acronym for Certified Substance Abuse Program Administrator. A C-SAPA is an individual who has passed the C-SAPA certifying examination given by SAPACC.
C-SAPAs are generalists who design, organize and administer services to promote drug-safe workplaces. These services are intended to improve health and productivity for all workers, decreasing accidents and the many costs associated with substance abuse. The C-SAPA must also assure that programs are operated in compliance with any state or federal regulations, as well as company policies. Other concerns of the C-SAPA, whether s/he is directly employed by the organization or retained to serve in this capacity, include assuring that the program adheres to generally accepted standards for administrative services, testing, training, medical review, confidentiality and business ethics.
To be recognized as a C-SAPA, an administrator must:
- Have worked in the substance abuse field for 6000 hours or for 4000 hours if s/he holds a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Demonstrate experience, with time spent in at least four of the following seven areas:
- 1. Development of policies and procedures
- 2. Administration of random programs
- 3. Medical Review Officer (MRO) interaction/oversight
- 4. Oversight and/or performance of specimen collection procedures
- 5. Supervisory training
- 6. Compliance with federal and state laws
- 7. Interaction/oversight with Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs)
- Pass a rigorous, diverse examination derived from a number of different disciplines. The examination is designed to identify those who have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the functions of a SAPA.
C-DAPA-MC is the acronym for Certified Drug & Alcohol Program Administrator-Motor Carrier. A C-DAPA-MC has focused expertise in the area of FMCSA regulations and is an individual who has passed the C-DAPA-MC certifying examination given by SAPACC.
The essential functions of a C-DAPA-MC are to design, organize and administer services to promote drug-safe workplaces. These services are intended to improve health and productivity for all workers, decreasing accidents and the many costs associated with substance abuse. The C-DAPA-MC must also assure that programs are operated in compliance with any state or federal regulations, as well as company policies. Other concerns of the DAPA, whether s/he is directly employed by the organization or retained to serve in this capacity, include assuring that the program adheres to generally accepted standards for administrative services, testing, training, medical review, confidentiality and business ethics.
To be recognized as a C-DAPA-MC, an administrator must:
- Have worked in the substance abuse field for 4000 hours
- Demonstrate experience, with time spent in at least three of the following seven areas:
- 1. Development of policies and procedure
- 2. Administration of random drug and alcohol testing programs
- 3. Medical Review Officer (MRO) interaction/supervision
- 4. Performance or supervision of the specimen collection process
- 5. Preparation and/or delivery of supervisor and/or employee education training
- 6. Compliance with applicable federal and state laws
- 7. Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) interaction/supervision
- Pass a rigorous, diverse examination derived from a number of different disciplines. The examination is designed to identify those who have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the functions of a DAPA within the FMCSA field.
C-DAPA-A is the acronym for Certified Drug & Alcohol Program Administrator-Aviation. A C-DAPA-A has focused expertise in the area of FAA regulations and is an individual who has passed the C-DAPA-A certifying examination given by SAPACC.
The essential functions
of a C-DAPA-A are to design, organize and administer services to promote
drug-safe workplaces. These services are intended to improve health and
productivity for all workers, decreasing accidents and the many costs
associated with substance abuse. The C-DAPA-A must also assure that programs
are operated in compliance with any state or federal regulations, as well
as company policies. Other concerns of the DAPA, whether s/he is directly
employed by the organization or retained to serve in this capacity, include
assuring that the program adheres to generally accepted standards for
administrative services, testing, training, medical review, confidentiality
and business ethics.
To be recognized as a C-DAPA-A, an administrator must:
- Have worked in the substance abuse field for 4000 hours
- Demonstrate experience, with time spent in at least three of the following seven areas:
- 1. Development of policies and procedures
- 2. Administration of random drug and alcohol testing program
- 3. Medical Review Officer (MRO) interaction/supervision
- 4. Performance or supervision of the specimen collection process
- 5. Preparation and/or delivery of supervisor and/or employee education trainin
- 6. Compliance with applicable federal and state laws
- 7. Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) interaction/supervision
- Pass a rigorous, diverse examination derived from a number of different disciplines. The examination is designed to identify those who have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the functions of a DAPA within the FAA field.
No. Certification and the effort to obtain it are entirely voluntary. It is recommended for either an in-house (directly employed) or outside program administrator as a means of verifying the individual’s qualifications.
The proper administration
of substance abuse programs has become a complex task. It demands knowledge,
ability and skills in areas where the need for formal training, education
and knowledge has not previously been established.
The “consumer” for this service may have little or no understanding
of the needs, yet must choose a “provider” who is truly knowledgeable.
Certification by a recognized, reputable body thus becomes a major contributor
to the consumer’s ability to recognize an acceptable provider.
Organizations which hire or contract for the services of a SAPA or DAPA
have a standard of demonstrated capability if the individual is a holder
of a C-SAPA or C-DAPA certification.
Q-SAP is the acronym for Qualified Substance Abuse Professional. A Q-SAP is a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who has passed the qualification examination given by SAPACC to meet DOT regulations.