DOT urine collectors play a critical role in safety programs across trucking, aviation, rail, transit, pipeline and maritime. The requirements for becoming qualified are set out in 49 CFR 40.33. Here's what they involve.
1. Basic knowledge
Collectors must be knowledgeable about Part 40, the current DOT urine specimen collection guidelines, and the DOT agency rules that apply to the employers they serve, and they're expected to keep up with changes.
2. Qualification training
Collectors must complete training on every step of a correct collection and on properly completing and transmitting the Custody and Control Form (CCF). Training also covers problem collections, fatal and correctable flaws and how to fix them, and the collector's responsibility for the integrity of the process, privacy and confidentiality.
3. Initial proficiency demonstration
After training, collectors must complete five consecutive error free mock collections, monitored and evaluated by a qualified person. These include two uneventful collections, one with an insufficient quantity of urine, one with a temperature out of range, and one where the employee refuses to sign the CCF and initial the specimen bottle seal.
4. Refresher training
At least every five years, collectors must complete refresher training and a new proficiency demonstration.
5. Error correction training
If a collector makes a mistake that causes a test to be cancelled, they must complete error correction training within 30 days of being notified.
Stay current on the CCF
SAMHSA has issued a 2026 Federal CCF. Among the changes, Step 1F no longer includes drug analyte checkboxes. After May 31, 2027, use of the 2023 form becomes a correctable flaw that requires a memorandum for the record, so collectors should learn the new layout now.
Get qualified with Stratellis Training
Our DOT Urine Specimen Collector Training is fully online and self paced, and we can arrange monitored mock collections in person or remotely. We also offer Non DOT Urine Collector Training for workplace programs outside federal rules.