SAP Guidelines

The SAP Guidelines provide a detailed explanation of the SAP's role and responsibility under the regulation. While this document may be called "Guidelines", the fact that it is specifically mentioned within the text of Part 40 technically moves it to the level of being a regulation. No SAP should be without a copy of the SAP Guidelines.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONAL GUIDELINES
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC)

These Guidelines were first published in August 2001. They have been revised several times since 2001, most recently in November 2006. (The significant change in the 2006 revision was the addition of marriage and family therapists to the categories of professionals who can serve in a SAP role. There were also a few changes to the summary of modal rules at the end of the document).

SAP Guidelines 2006 (Word format)

SAP Guidelines 2006 (PDF) [requires Adobe Reader]

Every SAP should have a copy of these Guidelines. It is advisable to read them in their entirety several times a year or more. You will always learn things that you didn't catch on previous readings.

While it is true that these are called "Guidelines", DOT considers this document to be a regulation because it has been specifically included (mentioned) in 49 CFR Part 40.