​About FDTS

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Who is Federal Drug Testing Services (FDTS)?

FDTS is a professional training and consulting firm specializing in FAA and DOT drug and alcohol compliance. It was founded by G.L. Henderson, a former FAA Drug and Alcohol Compliance Enforcement Inspector with over 15 years of industry experience. FDTS is the only FAA DER training program in the country designed and taught by someone who conducted these inspections from the federal side.

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What makes FDTS different from other compliance training providers?

Most drug and alcohol training programs are taught by practitioners who have managed programs. FDTS is taught by someone who inspected them on behalf of the FAA. That perspective changes everything about how the curriculum is structured. You learn not just what the regulations require, but how they are evaluated, where programs typically fail, and what it takes to be defensible when an inspector arrives.

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What certifications does FDTS training carry?

FDTS courses are accredited by CCDAPP (Certified Course for Drug and Alcohol Program Professionals) and may qualify for continuing education credits for Drug and Alcohol Program Professionals. Certificates of completion are issued for all courses.

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Does FDTS offer private or on-site training?

Yes. FDTS offers private group training at your location for all courses. On-site training is available for airlines, aviation operators, Part 145 repair stations, and other FAA-regulated employers. Contact FDTS directly at (202) 952-1519 to discuss scheduling and pricing.

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FAA DER Training

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What is a Designated Employer Representative (DER)?

A DER is the individual authorized by an FAA-regulated employer to take immediate action to remove employees from safety-sensitive duties and to make required decisions in the drug and alcohol testing process. Every employer regulated under 14 CFR Part 120 must have a DER. The role carries direct regulatory accountability under 49 CFR Part 40 and FAA Part 120.

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Who is required to have an FAA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program?

Any employer certificated or operating under FAA Part 121 (scheduled airlines), Part 135 (charter/commuter), Part 145 (repair stations), or Part 91.147 (air tour operators with a Letter of Authorization) must have a compliant drug and alcohol testing program under 14 CFR Part 120. Contractors performing safety-sensitive functions for these operators are also covered.

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What is the difference between Level I and Level II FAA DER training?

Level I is the foundational certification course. It covers 14 CFR Part 120, 49 CFR Part 40, the DER's role and responsibilities, random testing requirements, result management, record retention, and program administration. Level II is the advanced practicum course. It uses a mock FAA inspection of a fictitious Part 121 carrier to train participants to evaluate their own programs the way an FAA Drug Abatement Division inspector would identifying violations, documenting findings, and building corrective action plans.

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Do I need prior experience to enroll in Level I?

No prior compliance experience is required for Level I. The course is designed to build your regulatory foundation from the ground up. New DERs, HR professionals, safety managers, and operations personnel are all appropriate candidates.

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Is Level I required before taking Level II?

Yes. Level II is an advanced practicum that assumes regulatory knowledge at the Level I standard. Participants must have completed Level I or demonstrate equivalent experience to enroll in Level II.

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What is Level III?

Level III is a leadership and professional development course designed for compliance professionals moving into supervisory, management, or organizational leadership roles. It integrates compliance mastery with leadership competency and is offered by invitation.

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How long is the FAA DER course?

Level I is a three-day course. Level II is a practicum-based course; duration varies by format. Contact FDTS for current scheduling details.

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What does the FAA DER course cost?

Current pricing is listed on the Registration page at federaldrugtestingservices.com/registration. Private group and on-site pricing is available upon request.

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Will this training prepare me for an FAA Drug Abatement Division inspection?

Yes that is the explicit purpose of Level II. The mock inspection scenario is built around the exact checklist areas FAA inspectors examine: pre-employment testing, random program administration, post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty procedures, record retention, and service agent oversight. Participants leave knowing what inspectors look for and how to ensure their program can withstand that scrutiny.

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Does FDTS offer consulting support after the training?

Yes. FDTS provides ongoing consulting services including compliance audits, inspection preparation, program reviews, and enforcement response support. Contact FDTS directly to discuss your organization's needs.

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DOT Specimen Collector Training

What does it take to become a qualified DOT urine specimen collector? Under 49 CFR Part 40.33, to become qualified as a DOT specimen collector you must: (1) be knowledgeable about Part 40 regulations and the current DOT Urine Specimen Collection Procedures Guidelines; (2) successfully complete a qualification training program; and (3) pass a monitored proficiency demonstration consisting of five consecutive error-free mock collections. There is no grandfather clause or waiver from these requirements.

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What does the FDTS Collector Training course cover?

The FDTS two-day collector qualification course is a comprehensive study of the regulations governing urine specimen collection under DOT and HHS drug testing programs. Topics include: custody and control form (CCF) completion, chain of custody procedures, fatal and correctable flaw identification, shy bladder and refusal scenarios, direct observation collection procedures, and hands-on proficiency demonstration preparation.

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Is FDTS collector training available for re-qualification? 

Yes. FDTS offers both initial qualification and re-qualification training for DOT and HHS specimen collectors. Collector re-qualification is required under Part 40 when a collector fails a proficiency test or when regulatory changes require updated training.

Does FDTS offer on-site collector training? Yes. FDTS can conduct collector training at your facility. This is particularly cost-effective for organizations that employ multiple collectors or operate collection sites. Call (202) 952-1519 to inquire.

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What is a Certified Professional Collector Trainer (CPCT)?

A CPCT is a credentialed trainer authorized to conduct and certify the monitored proficiency demonstration required for collector qualification. Greg Henderson holds the CPCT credential, as well as the Certified Breath Alcohol Technician Trainer (BAT) credential, which means FDTS can complete your full collector qualification training and proficiency demonstration in one engagement.

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HHS / Federal Workplace Drug Testing

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What is HHS DER training and who needs it?

HHS DER training is a two-day certificate course covering the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs and Executive Order 12564. It is designed for federal agency drug program managers, collectors, and service agents who oversee or support federal workplace drug testing programs which operate under HHS guidelines rather than DOT Part 40.

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How does the HHS program differ from the DOT/FAA program?

DOT programs (including FAA Part 120) are governed by 49 CFR Part 40 and apply to safety-sensitive transportation employees in the private and regulated sectors. HHS programs govern federal civilian employee drug testing under Executive Order 12564 and the Mandatory Guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. Different procedures, different forms, and different oversight structures though many of the collection fundamentals overlap.

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Does the HHS course include an exam?

Yes. The HHS DER course includes a 25-question examination. Participants who pass receive a certificate of completion.

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International Consulting & Training

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Does FDTS provide consulting for international aviation operators?

Yes. FDTS offers specialized consulting and training for aviation organizations operating internationally under FAA regulatory oversight including foreign Part 145 repair stations, international carriers operating under FAA authority, and organizations seeking FAA waivers for international drug and alcohol program compliance.

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What is the International FAA Drug and Alcohol Program course?

"Understanding an International FAA Drug and Alcohol Program" is a three-day intensive course available virtually or on-site covering FAA Part 120 and DOT Part 40 as applied to international operations, international program alignment challenges, service agent management abroad, FAA waiver and program approval processes, and recordkeeping and enforcement trends in international contexts. The course is accredited by CCDAPP.

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What is an FAA international waiver and does my organization need one?

Foreign repair stations certificated under 14 CFR Part 145 that work on aircraft operated by U.S. carriers are subject to FAA drug and alcohol testing requirements under Part 120. In some cases, operators may seek FAA approval to use alternative testing procedures in countries where U.S. collection standards are difficult to implement. FDTS assists organizations in preparing and submitting waiver documentation and developing compliant program structures for international environments.

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Can FDTS conduct international compliance audits?

Yes. FDTS provides international compliance readiness reviews, gap analyses, and audit preparation services for aviation organizations operating across multiple regulatory jurisdictions. Contact FDTS to discuss your organization's specific situation.

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Registration, Cancellations & Logistics

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How do I register for an FDTS course?

Visit federaldrugtestingservices.com/registration to view available course dates and register. Some sessions are invitation-only or require prior enrollment in a prerequisite course. Contact FDTS directly if you have questions about eligibility.

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What is FDTS's cancellation and refund policy?

Due to limited seating, no refunds are issued for cancellations or no-shows. If you must cancel, FDTS will apply a credit to your account which can be used toward a future live or virtual training session. Registration fees may be transferred to another individual; the invoice will be updated to reflect the new registrant's information.

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What if FDTS cancels a session?

In the event FDTS must cancel training due to unforeseen circumstances, FDTS will refund the cost of registration. FDTS does not assume responsibility for additional costs including travel and lodging expenses.

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Are virtual training options available? 

Yes. Select courses including HHS DER training are available in virtual format. Check the Training Dates and Locations page for current virtual offerings.

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How do I inquire about private group or on-site training?

Call FDTS at (202) 952-1519 or use the Contact page at federaldrugtestingservices.com/contact. Private group training is available for all FDTS courses and can be scheduled at your facility or a location of your choosing.

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