On January 1st, 2018, the revised CFR 49 Part 40 Final rule. published November 13th, 2017, will be put into effect. This rule refers to the Drug and Alcohol testing procedures and programs to all safety-sensitive employees regulated by the U.S Department Of Transportation (DOT).
For those not currently familiar with the new revisions, a few major changes are as follows
- A DOT drug test will now test for Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana, PCP, Opiates, Hydromorphone, Oxymorphone, and Oxycodone.
- Blind specimen testing is no longer required.
- Removing MDEA as a confirmatory test analyte from the existing drug-testing panel and adding MDA as an initial test analyte.
DOT Service Agents and DOT covered employers are starting to prepare for the impacts on the industry due to these changes.
CCF Forms
Which Federal Custody and Control Form may be used for DOT regulated testing on January 1, 2018, when the Rule becomes effective?
- A revised Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF) was issued for federal drug testing in August of 2017.
- The August 2017 CCF replaces the current 2013 version of the federal CCF and is very similar.
- The 2017 CCF added hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone to Section 5A (primary specimen report) on CCF copy 1 and changed Section 1D to have only one block checked for a DOT agency test.
- The 2017 federal CCF cannot be used for DOT testing before January 1, 2018.
- Laboratories will begin distributing the 2017 CCFs to collections sites and/or employer sites on January 1, 2018.
SAPPA has partnered up with industry officials and testing laboratories to create the general understanding that the newly revised CCF forms will be issued out and cannot be used for testing until after January 1st, 2018. The revised forms may then be permitted for use for all DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing. The 2013 version of a CCF form is permitted up until the date of June 30th, 2018. At that time the 2013 version of the CCF form will be considered expired, and if used a detailed explanation of why will be requested by the laboratory.
While using the 2013 CCF form for a DOT Drug Test, MROs are required to test and report for expanded opiates. If a result is positive the MRO simply writes the name of the drug on the CCF copy two form that the specimen verified positive for.
- MROs are permitted to report positives for the expanded opioid drugs after January 1, 2018, using the 2013 CCF copy 2.
- MRO Sections (Step 6 & 7) of CCF Copy 2 are the same on the 2013 and 2017 CCFs. The MRO simply writes in the name of the drug(s) the specimen is verified positive for.
For any questions regarding DOT Compliance please contact Accredited Drug Testing at 800-221-4291.