The federal requirements for a DOT SAP
49 CFR 40.281 sets the qualification standard. A SAP must hold an accepted professional credential, have the required knowledge of substance-use disorders and DOT rules, complete SAP qualification training, pass an examination and maintain the required continuing education.
Accepted credentials include certain physicians, social workers, psychologists, employee assistance professionals, marriage and family therapists, and drug and alcohol counselors certified by an organization recognized by DOT. The credential is only one part of the test. The SAP-specific training and examination requirements also have to be met.
What you can ask a SAP to confirm
A qualified SAP must maintain documentation showing that the requirements of Section 40.281 are current. DOT rules require the SAP to provide that documentation on request to DOT representatives and to employers or C/TPAs using or considering the SAP's services.
A driver can still ask sensible questions before booking: what professional credential the SAP relies on, whether their DOT SAP qualification is current, whether they are registered in the FMCSA Clearinghouse when the case involves an FMCSA-regulated CDL driver, and whether they can lawfully conduct the evaluation in the driver's location.
DOT itself does not maintain a public list of every qualified SAP. A directory listing or paid provider badge should therefore not be treated as federal approval or proof of qualification.
Online evaluations have additional limits
DOT permits qualifying SAP evaluations to be conducted remotely. Under 49 CFR 40.291, a remote evaluation must provide real-time two-way audio and visual communication, sufficient quality for the SAP to obtain the information normally available in an in-person meeting, and appropriate security for confidentiality.
The SAP must also comply with the geographic limitations attached to their professional credential. A provider being willing to conduct a video appointment does not by itself establish that the provider can conduct a DOT evaluation for every driver in every state. See online SAP evaluation requirements for more detail.
Qualification does not mean a predetermined recommendation
A legitimate SAP does not sell a guaranteed outcome. DOT's SAP Back to Basics guidance states that the assessment must be individualized and that education or treatment recommendations must be specific to the employee.
That is why a provider should not promise before the initial evaluation that every driver will receive the same course, finish within a fixed number of days or automatically be released for return-to-duty testing. For the actual evaluation stage, see what happens during a DOT SAP evaluation.