FTA Designated Employer Representative (DER) Training

Managing Drug & Alcohol Testing Compliance for Public Transit Systems

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires transit agencies and their contractors to maintain comprehensive drug and alcohol testing programs designed to protect passengers, employees, and the communities they serve. As the Designated Employer Representative (DER), you are responsible for ensuring these programs are administered in accordance with federal regulations while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance.

The FTA Designated Employer Representative (DER) Training Course provides the knowledge, skills, and practical guidance necessary to effectively manage drug and alcohol testing programs regulated under 49 CFR Part 655 and 49 CFR Part 40. This comprehensive training is designed specifically for transit professionals responsible for overseeing testing programs for safety-sensitive employees, including bus operators, rail operators, dispatchers, maintenance personnel, supervisors, and other covered employees.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

* Designated Employer Representatives (DERs)

* Transit Agency Managers

* Safety and Security Directors

* Human Resource Professionals

* Compliance Officers

* Operations Managers

* Rail and Bus System Supervisors

* Third-Party Administrators (TPAs)

* Transit Contractors and Grant Recipients

* Drug and Alcohol Program Administrators

What You Will Learn

Understanding FTA Regulatory Requirements

* Overview of 49 CFR Part 655 and 49 CFR Part 40

* Employer responsibilities under FTA regulations

* Safety-sensitive employee classifications

* Compliance obligations for transit agencies and contractors

Managing Drug & Alcohol Testing Programs

* Pre-employment testing requirements

* Random drug and alcohol testing programs

* Reasonable suspicion determinations

* Post-accident testing procedures

* Return-to-duty testing requirements

* Follow-up testing programs

Handling Violations and Compliance Issues

* Positive drug test results

* Alcohol misuse violations

* Refusals to test

* Employee removal requirements

* Return-to-duty process management

* Coordination with Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs)

Working with Service Agents

* Collection sites

* Laboratories

* Medical Review Officers (MROs)

* Third-Party Administrators (TPAs)

* Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs)

Recordkeeping and Reporting

* Maintaining confidential employee records

* Required documentation and retention periods

* Annual Management Information System (MIS) reporting

* Audit preparation and compliance reviews

* Best practices for maintaining audit-ready files

Contractor Oversight and Grant Compliance

* Monitoring contractor testing programs

* FTA grant-funded compliance responsibilities

* Ensuring contractor adherence to federal requirements

* Documentation and oversight best practices

Practical Applications for Transit Agencies

Participants will gain practical knowledge through real-world examples and scenarios commonly encountered in public transportation environments. The course focuses on helping DERs confidently manage testing events, communicate effectively with service agents, respond appropriately to violations, and maintain compliance with federal requirements while minimizing organizational risk.

Benefits of Attending

Upon completion of this course, participants will have the confidence and expertise necessary to effectively administer FTA drug and alcohol testing programs, maintain compliance with federal regulations, prepare for audits and inspections, and support a strong safety culture throughout their organization.

Whether you oversee a bus system, rail operation, paratransit service, contractor workforce, or other public transportation operation, this training provides the tools and resources needed to successfully fulfill your responsibilities as a Designated Employer Representative.

Why FTA DER Training Matters

Public transit agencies play a vital role in safely transporting millions of passengers each year. A properly trained DER serves as a key component of an effective drug and alcohol testing program by ensuring compliance, protecting public safety, reducing liability, and supporting the integrity of transit operations.

Become the compliance leader your transit organization depends on and gain the knowledge necessary to effectively manage an FTA-regulated drug and alcohol testing program with confidence.

PHMSA Designated Employer Representative (DER) Training

Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Compliance

Pipeline operators and hazardous materials employers are entrusted with protecting critical infrastructure, public safety, and the environment. The PHMSA DER Training Course provides the specialized knowledge required to administer drug and alcohol testing programs for safety-sensitive employees covered under 49 CFR Part 199.

This course is designed for natural gas transmission operators, hazardous liquid pipeline operators, utility companies, contractors, and compliance professionals responsible for maintaining PHMSA compliance.

Participants will learn how to oversee testing programs for pipeline controllers, maintenance personnel, emergency response employees, and other covered workers. The course covers pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing requirements while emphasizing incident prevention and regulatory accountability.

Key topics include:

* PHMSA drug and alcohol testing requirements

* Covered employee determinations

* Pipeline safety compliance responsibilities

* Incident and accident response procedures

* Testing program administration

* Recordkeeping and confidentiality requirements

* Managing violations and employee removals

* Return-to-duty procedures

* Contractor oversight considerations

* Preparing for PHMSA inspections and audits

Upon completion, DERs will possess the knowledge necessary to manage compliant testing programs that support safe pipeline operations, reduce regulatory risk, and protect critical energy and hazardous materials infrastructure.

FTA Certified Designated Employer Representative (C-DER) Training

This course prepares supervisors at transit industry businesses regulated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to serve as Designated Employer Representative (DER). Developed by the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA), it covers the drug and alcohol testing procedures required under 49 CFR Part 40, plus the FTA-specific requirements of 49 CFR Part 655 — since DOT compliance alone isn't enough for FTA-regulated employers. Students gain a full understanding of the DER role, testing procedures, and DOT modal requirements needed to keep their workplace compliant, and earn C-DER certification upon completion.

Note: Course enrollment expires six months from purchase date; access to your account and certificates of completion remains available after that.

FRA Designated Employer Representative (DER) Training

Managing Compliance in the Railroad Industry

Railroad operations present unique safety challenges that require strict adherence to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) drug and alcohol testing regulations. Our FRA DER Training Course provides the specialized knowledge needed to oversee testing programs for railroad employees performing safety-sensitive functions.

Designed for rail carriers, short-line railroads, passenger rail systems, contractors, and compliance professionals, this course focuses on FRA regulations under 49 CFR Part 219 and DOT procedures outlined in 49 CFR Part 40.

Participants will learn how to administer testing programs for covered railroad employees, manage post-accident toxicological testing requirements, respond to reasonable suspicion situations, and coordinate testing activities following major incidents and accidents. Special emphasis is placed on FRA-specific accident testing requirements, employee coverage determinations, and regulatory reporting obligations.

Topics include:

* FRA drug and alcohol testing requirements

* Covered service employee classifications

* Reasonable suspicion and reasonable cause testing

* Post-accident toxicological testing procedures

* Return-to-duty and follow-up testing

* Recordkeeping and documentation requirements

* FRA audits and compliance reviews

* Coordination with MROs, SAPs, and laboratories

* Employee removal and reinstatement procedures

This course helps DERs confidently navigate the complex regulatory environment of the railroad industry while supporting operational safety, regulatory compliance, and accident prevention.

FAA Designated Employer Representative (DER) Training

Ensuring Safety and Compliance in Aviation Operations

Aviation safety depends on strict compliance with drug and alcohol testing regulations. Employers regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are required to maintain comprehensive testing programs for safety-sensitive employees whose performance directly impacts public safety.

The FAA Designated Employer Representative (DER) Training Course provides the knowledge and practical skills necessary to effectively administer FAA drug and alcohol testing programs under 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40.

Designed specifically for aviation employers, this training prepares DERs to manage testing events, respond to violations, coordinate with service agents, and maintain compliance with FAA regulatory requirements. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of their responsibilities as the employer's authorized representative for all drug and alcohol testing matters.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Designated Employer Representatives (DERs)

• Airline and Air Carrier Managers

• Aviation Safety Professionals

• Human Resource Personnel

• Maintenance Repair Organization (MRO) Managers

• Charter and Corporate Flight Department Managers

• Compliance Officers

• Third-Party Administrators (TPAs)

• Drug and Alcohol Program Managers

What You Will Learn

• FAA Regulatory Requirements
• Overview of FAA Drug & Alcohol Testing Regulations
• Covered Employers and Covered Employees
• Safety-Sensitive Position Determinations
• Employer Compliance Obligations

Types of FAA Drug & Alcohol Testing

* Pre-Employment Testing

* Random Testing Programs

* Reasonable Cause Testing

* Post-Accident Testing

* Return-to-Duty Testing

* Follow-Up Testing

Managing Program Violations

* Positive Drug Test Procedures

* Alcohol Misuse Violations

* Refusals to Test

* Immediate Removal Requirements

* Return-to-Duty Processes

Working with Service Agents

* Medical Review Officers (MROs)

* Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs)

* Collection Sites

* Laboratories

* Consortium and TPA Relationships

Recordkeeping and Compliance

* FAA Documentation Requirements

* Record Retention Rules

* Confidentiality Standards

* Preparing for FAA Audits and Inspections

Real-World Aviation Compliance Scenarios

* Handling Regulatory Investigations

* Managing Accident Testing Events

* Responding to Employee Violations

* Maintaining Program Integrity

Benefits of Attending

Upon completion, participants will have the confidence and knowledge necessary to administer an FAA-compliant drug and alcohol testing program, reduce regulatory risk, and contribute to a safer aviation environment.

Whether you operate a commercial airline, repair station, charter operation, cargo carrier, or aviation support company, this course provides the tools needed to effectively manage compliance while supporting the highest standards of aviation safety.

Why FAA DER Training Matters

FAA-regulated employers face significant penalties and operational risks when testing programs are not administered properly. A trained DER helps ensure compliance, protects the organization's operating authority, and promotes a culture of safety throughout the aviation workplace.

Become the aviation compliance professional your organization relies upon by mastering the responsibilities of the FAA Designated Employer Representative.