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Federal Transit Administration to increase minimum rate for random drug testing

Rate will move to 50% of covered employees as of January 1, 2019

Posted October 22, 2018

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced changes to the minimum rate of random drug testing effective January 1, 2019.

FTA issued a “Dear Colleague” letter on October 17, 2018, saying the minimum rate of random drug testing will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent of covered employees subject to FTA’s drug and alcohol regulation.

The change is due to an increase in the industry’s positive rate as reflected in random drug test data for the 2017 calendar year, FTA said. The alcohol testing rate will stay unchanged for 2019 at 10 percent.

The FTA plans to formally announce the increase in a forthcoming Federal Register notice, but has issued the “Dear Colleague” letter in advance to inform transit providers and partner associations of the change and to facilitate early planning.


Everyday Drug & Alcohol Program Management ManualJ. J. Keller's Everyday Drug & Alcohol Program Management Manual helps you manage a workplace and/or DOT drug and alcohol test, while complying with state and federal requirements.

 

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