Drug Test/Screening Collector Training & Certification, Whittier, CA
For
Collection Sites, Medical Facilities, DER's, HR Managers, Safety Managers, Court Personnel, Probation Officers, TPA's
Accredited Drug Testing provides a comprehensive online/web-based Urine Drug Testing Collector Training and Certification course in Whittier, CA for persons required as part of their responsibilities to perform or supervise urine drug testing specimen collections. The collector training program may be completed with or without the required mock collection proficiency assessments. Upon completion of the training program, students will receive a certificate of successful completion of the training course. In Whittier, CA to be qualified/certified as a DOT urine drug test collector, you must satisfactorily complete both the training course and a minimum of 5 error free proficiency mock demonstrations.
The Drug Test Collector plays a critical role in the workplace drug screening process. Along with the employer, the testing facility and the Medical Review Officer (MRO), the collector is an essential part of a system developed to ensure drug-free workplaces for the sake of public safety.
As the collector, you are the only individual in the drug-testing process who has direct, face-to-face contact with the employee. You ensure the integrity of the urine specimen and collection process and begin the chain of custody that includes the laboratory; the MRO; the employer; and, possibly, the courts.
This training is a professional-level course that provides the knowledge and skills to qualify Drug Test Collectors to perform U.S. Department of Transportation-regulated drug tests and non-regulated tests. Course participants also have the option of becoming professionally certified after completion of this course. This designation confirms that the collector is committed to the highest standards in the drug and alcohol testing industry.
The Course
This professional-level course meets the regulatory standards of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule 49 CFR Part 40 and provides a solid foundation for a wide range of testing programs.
- Library of terms & resources
- Universal skills set
- Multiple industries
- Lessons
- DOT Qualification
- Public sector
- Short quizzes & final examination
- Professional Certification
- Private sector
- Mock collections
- Regulated by local, state and federal authorities
- Signature
How to become a DOT Qualified Urine Colletor?
To become qualified as a collector, you must be knowledgeable about Part 40 regulations, the current "DOT Urine Specimen Collection Procedures Guidelines," and DOT agency regulations applicable to the employers for whom you will perform collections, and you must keep current on any changes to these materials. You must also (1) successfully complete a qualification training program and (2) pass a monitored proficiency demonstration, as required by DOT regulations [See 49 CFR Part 40.33 (b-c), effective August 1, 2001]. Please note: there is no "grandfather" clause or waiver from this requirement. A collector's qualifications are not location/collection site specific, and their eligibility will follow them anywhere DOT Agency regulated urine specimens are collected. There is no requirement for qualified collectors to register or to be on any federally-maintained or federally-sponsored list, but they are required to maintain (for Federal inspection) documentation of successful completion of their training and proficiency demonstration requirements.
How to Take the Course
The Drug Test Collector Training involves multiple parts that need to be completed in a specific order to achieve certification.
- Before starting the training, the collector must:
- review 49 CFR Part 40 and be familiar with the regulatory language;
- review the DOT Urine Specimen Collection Guidelines;
- review "Instructions for Completing the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form for Urine Specimen Collection"
- watch DOT's 10 Steps to Collection Site Security and Integrity video.
- and download the sample Custody and Control Form. This form guides the entire drug-collection process. Review the document and have it at hand through the entire course. (All required materials are also available in the Reference Library.) NOTE: The 2017 version of the CCF is no longer current. If you intend to use it, you must attach a Memorandum for Record (MFR).
- Take the course Pre-Test to show familiarity with the subject matter based on a review of the materials provided.
- Complete the lessons of the training along with the required short quizzes.
- Take the final exam. A score of at least 90 percent is required.
- When you pass the online portion of this training, continue to the Next Steps lesson for instructions on how to set up five mock collections with a live examiner. These must be scheduled within 30 days of course completion and are required for qualification and certification.
- Once the mock collections are completed without error, you will be qualified and can perform both federally regulated and non-regulated drug test collections.
- To be certified, qualified collectors are asked to sign an agreement promising to adhere to the standards set in the training. The course administrator will then issue a certification form documenting that the collector is both a USDOT Qualified and Professionally Certified Drug Testing Collector. Contact the course administrator for more information.
Additional Courses Available
- DOT Alcohol Screening Test Technician Training
- Saliva/Oral Fluid Training & Certification
- Certified Drug Test Collector Annual Exam
- DOT Breath Alcohol Technician Training
- Hair Specimen Collector Training & Certification
- DOT Reasonable Suspicion Training Course
- DER Training FMCSA
- DER Training FAA
- DER Training PHMSA
- DER Training FRA
- DER Training FTA
- DER Training USCG
- MRO Assistant Training
- New Business Start Up Overview
** Accredited Drug Testing's Urine Specimen Collector training course is developed in conjunction with the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association.
Drug and Alcohol Testing Locations Whittier, CA
12462 PUTNAM ST ste 402 0.9 miles
WHITTIER, CA 90602
12401 WASHINGTON BLVD 1.2 miles
WHITTIER, CA 90602
12385 WASHINGTON BLVD 1.3 miles
WHITTIER, CA 90606
15141 Whittier Blvd Ste 125, 2.7 miles
Whittier, CA 90603
12801 CROSSROADS PKWY S Ste 150 3.5 miles
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91746
11817 TELEGRAPH RD 3.6 miles
SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA 90670
13440 IMPERIAL HWY 4.5 miles
SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA 90670
309 W BEVERLY BLVD 4.6 miles
MONTEBELLO, CA 90640
16025 GALE AVE STE B10 4.7 miles
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91745
8337 TELEGRAPH RD STE 104 4.7 miles
PICO RIVERA, CA 90660
3144 SANTA ANITA AVE STE 205 6.0 miles
EL MONTE, CA 91733
15330 VALLEY VIEW AVE STE 1 6.0 miles
LA MIRADA, CA 90638
2300 W BEVERLY BLVD 6.0 miles
MONTEBELLO, CA 90640
3430 GARFIELD AVE 6.2 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90040
11411 BROOKSHIRE AVE STE 408 6.4 miles
DOWNEY, CA 90241
6538 TELEGRAPH RD 6.4 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90040
17487 HURLEY ST 6.6 miles
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91744
9350 FLAIR DR Ste 102 6.7 miles
EL MONTE, CA 91731
16700 VALLEY VIEW AVE STE 180 6.8 miles
LA MIRADA, CA 90638
16702 VALLEY VIEW AVE 6.8 miles
LA MIRADA, CA 90638
14148 FRANCISQUITO AVE 6.9 miles
BALDWIN PARK, CA 91706
9353 IMPERIAL HWY GARDEN MEDICAL OFFICE,3RD FLOOR 7.3 miles
DOWNEY, CA 90242
4500 RIVERVIEW AVE 7.5 miles
EL MONTE, CA 91731
18575 Gale Ave Ste 155 7.6 miles
City of Industry, CA 91748
18575 GALE AVE STE 295 7.6 miles
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91748
18335 VALLEY BLVD 7.7 miles
LA PUENTE, CA 91744
2476 S ATLANTIC BLVD 7.9 miles
COMMERCE, CA 90040
3364 E SLAUSON AVE 8.0 miles
VERNON, CA 90058
2720 N HARBOR BLVD STE 130 8.1 miles
FULLERTON, CA 92835
725 S ORANGE AVE 8.1 miles
WEST COVINA, CA 91790
40 CENTERPOINTE DR 8.2 miles
LA PALMA, CA 90623
1950 SUNNYCREST DR STE 1800 8.3 miles
FULLERTON, CA 92835
2151 N HARBOR BLVD 8.4 miles
FULLERTON, CA 92835
2707 E VALLEY BLVD STE 116 8.5 miles
WEST COVINA, CA 91792
117 E LIVE OAK AVE STE 101 8.9 miles
ARCADIA, CA 91006
566 E LAMBERT RD 9.1 miles
BREA, CA 92821
5451 LA PALMA AVE STE 24 9.2 miles
LA PALMA, CA 90623
1001 E IMPERIAL HWY 9.3 miles
BREA, CA 92821
330 W. LAS TUNAS DR. STE 2 9.4 miles
SAN GABRIEL, CA 91776
416 W LAS TUNAS DR, STE 204 9.4 miles
SAN GABRIEL, CA 91776
940 E MAIN ST 9.6 miles
ALHAMBRA, CA 91801
16444 PARAMOUNT BLVD 9.8 miles
PARAMOUNT, CA 90723
16660 PARAMONT BLVD STE 102 9.9 miles
PARAMOUNT, CA 90723
100 S RAYMOND AVE 10.0 miles
ALHAMBRA, CA 91801
7300 ALONDRA BLVD STE 108 10.1 miles
PARAMOUNT, CA 90723
1801 W ROMNEYA DR STE 106 10.1 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92801
15705 ARROW HWY STE 6B 10.3 miles
IRWINDALE, CA 91706
710 N EUCLID ST STE 203 10.4 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92801
56 E DUARTE RD 10.4 miles
ARCADIA, CA 91006
2640 E GARVEY AVE S STE 106 10.4 miles
WEST COVINA, CA 91791
5220 CLARK AVE STE 445 10.4 miles
LAKEWOOD, CA 90712
2814 W LINCOLN AVE 10.5 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92801
5345 IRWINDALE AVE 10.7 miles
IRWINDALE, CA 91706
3611 MLK Blvd STE 108 10.8 miles
LYNWOOD, CA 90262
5205 Lakewood Blvd 10.8 miles
Lakewood, CA 90712
5203 LAKEWOOD BLVD 10.8 miles
LAKEWOOD, CA 90712
1006 W LA PALMA AVE 10.8 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92801
6529 SEVILLE AVE 10.9 miles
HUNTINGTON PARK, CA 90255
3851 S SOTO ST 10.9 miles
VERNON, CA 90058
3688 S Soto St 10.9 miles
Vernon, CA 90058
333 S MAGNOLIA AVE 11.0 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92804
4580 PACIFIC BLVD 11.1 miles
VERNON, CA 90058
6000 N IRWINDALE AVE STE A 11.5 miles
IRWINDALE, CA 91702
1111 E LA PALMA AVE 11.6 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92805
554 E San Bernardino Rd Ste 10, 11.7 miles
Covina, CA 91723
640 S PLACENTIA AVE 11.8 miles
PLACENTIA, CA 92870
6520 N IRWINDALE AVE STE 100 12.0 miles
IRWINDALE, CA 91702
1907 E WASHINGTON BLVD 12.2 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90021
10861 CHERRY ST STE 202 12.2 miles
LOS ALAMITOS, CA 90720
909 E YORBA LINDA BLVD STE H 12.3 miles
PLACENTIA, CA 92870
1750 E COLORADO BLVD 12.4 miles
PASADENA, CA 91106
211 S STATE COLLEGE BLVD STE 325 12.4 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92806
1717 E LINCOLN AVE 12.5 miles
Anaheim, CA 92805
124 N VIGNES ST 12.5 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
50 ALESSANDRO PL. SUITE A10 12.5 miles
PASADENA, CA 91105
1201 N. ROSE DR. SUITE 202 12.6 miles
PLACENTIA, CA 92870
1300 N KRAEMER BLVD 12.7 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92806
1301 N ROSE DR 12.7 miles
PLACENTIA, CA 92870
960 E GREEN ST, STE 164 12.7 miles
PASADENA, CA 91106
100 W CALIFORNIA BLVD 12.8 miles
PASADENA, CA 91105
420 E 3rd St Ste 802, 12.9 miles
Los Angeles, CA 90013
7052 ORANGEWOOD AVE STE 6 12.9 miles
GARDEN GROVE, CA 92841
947 S ANAHEIM BLVD STE 120 13.0 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92805
1000 S ANAHEIM BLVD STE 200 13.0 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92805
823 N BROADWAY 13.1 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
5862 AVALON BLVD 13.3 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90003
2499 S WILMINGTON AVE 13.4 miles
COMPTON, CA 90220
19301 S SANTA FE AVE Ste 120 13.4 miles
COMPTON, CA 90221
333 S HOPE ST STE C145 13.6 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071
132 S BEAUDRY AVE 13.8 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
12600 BEACH BLVD 13.9 miles
STANTON, CA 90680
1400 S GRAND AVE STE 612 13.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90015
1350 W COVINA BLVD 14.0 miles
SAN DIMAS, CA 91773
250 S GRAND AVE 14.1 miles
GLENDORA, CA 91741
3320 S HILL ST 14.1 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90007
11152 S MAIN ST 14.2 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90061
929 GEORGIA ST 14.2 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90015
1127 Wilshire Blvd Ste 203&204, 14.2 miles
Los Angeles, CA 90017
1225 WILSHIRE BLVD 14.3 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90017
411 N LAKEVIEW AVE 14.3 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92807
801 CORPORATE CENTER DR STE 130 14.4 miles
POMONA, CA 91768
1313 W 8TH ST ste 100 14.4 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90017
1720 TERMINO AVE 14.7 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90804
1703 TERMINO AVE, STE 102 14.7 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90804
2750 ATLANTIC AVE 14.8 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90806
169 S ALVARADO ST STE 101 14.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90057
2131 W 3RD ST Ste 4 14.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90057
2776 PACIFIC AVE 15.0 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90806
15401 S MAIN ST 15.2 miles
GARDENA, CA 90248
482 W WILLOW ST 15.3 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90806
7955 WESTMINSTER BLVD 15.4 miles
WESTMINSTER, CA 92683
2121 S TOWNE CENTRE PL STE 100 15.4 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92806
1716 W HOLT AVE 15.6 miles
POMONA, CA 91768
16630 S BROADWAY ST 15.6 miles
GARDENA, CA 90248
2101 MAGNOLIA AVE 15.8 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90806
20770 ASH CIR STE 200 16.0 miles
YORBA LINDA, CA 92886
801 S CHEVY CHASE DR 16.1 miles
GLENDALE, CA 91205
801 S Chevy Chase Dr Ste 50, 16.1 miles
Glendale, CA 91205
20401 AVALON BLVD STE C 16.1 miles
CARSON, CA 90746
455 E CARSON PLAZA DR 16.3 miles
CARSON, CA 90746
1050 LINDEN AVE Ste 887 16.3 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90813
222 W EULALIA ST STE 101 16.4 miles
GLENDALE, CA 91204
1300 W 155TH ST STE 109 16.4 miles
GARDENA, CA 90247
15464 GOLDENWEST ST 16.4 miles
WESTMINSTER, CA 92683
3545 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 325 16.4 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90010
1250 PACIFIC AVE 16.5 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90813
1045 N TUSTIN ST 16.6 miles
ORANGE, CA 92867
1310 W Stewart Dr Ste 304, 16.6 miles
Orange, CA 92868
2231 S WESTERN AVE 16.6 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90018
1010 W La Veta Ave Ste 140, 16.9 miles
Orange, CA 92868
1300 N VERMONT AVE 16.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
705 W LA VETA AVE STE 102 16.9 miles
ORANGE, CA 92868
1149 W 190TH ST 16.9 miles
GARDENA, CA 90248
946 W TOWN AND COUNTRY RD 17.0 miles
ORANGE, CA 92868
502 S GAREY AVE 17.0 miles
POMONA, CA 91766
544 N GLENDALE AVE 17.0 miles
GLENDALE, CA 91206
230 N MARYLAND AVE STE 110 17.2 miles
GLENDALE, CA 91206
2301 W EL SEGUNDO BLVD 17.4 miles
HAWTHORNE, CA 90250
432 W BROADWAY 17.5 miles
GLENDALE, CA 91204
5475 E LA PALMA AVE 17.5 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92807
23601 AVALON BLVD Ste 104 17.6 miles
CARSON, CA 90745
221 E GLENOAKS BLVD STE 130 17.7 miles
GLENDALE, CA 91207
13768 Roswell Suite 220, 17.8 miles
Chino, CA 91710
867 S TUSTIN ST 18.0 miles
ORANGE, CA 92866
1526 N EDGEMONT ST FL 1 18.2 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
17122 BEACH BLVD STE 104 18.5 miles
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
8970 WARNER AVE 18.5 miles
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92708
17024 MAGNOLIA ST 18.6 miles
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92708
1253 VINE ST ste 19A 18.6 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90038
11633 HAWTHORNE BLVD #215 18.7 miles
HAWTHORNE, CA 90250
14619 PRAIRIE AVE 18.8 miles
LAWNDALE, CA 90260
5455 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 1802 18.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90036
110 N LA BREA AVE 19.0 miles
INGLEWOOD, CA 90301
21081 S WESTERN AVE STE 150 19.0 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90501
100 Oceangate, P245 19.0 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90802
On-site only 19.0 miles
Long Beach, CA 90802
11180 E Warner Ave Ste 159, 19.1 miles
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
17822 BEACH BL SUITE 242 19.2 miles
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647
17542 17TH ST STE 330 19.3 miles
TUSTIN, CA 92780
801 N Tustin Ave Ste 102, 19.4 miles
Santa Ana, CA 92705
800 N Tustin Ave Ste A 19.4 miles
Santa Ana, CA 92705
1300 N LA BREA AVE 19.5 miles
HOLLYWOOD, CA 90028
3100 W WARNER AVE 19.5 miles
SANTA ANA, CA 92704
4253 REDONDO BEACH BLVD 19.7 miles
LAWNDALE, CA 90260
9920 TALBERT AVE 19.7 miles
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92708
9900 Talbert Ave Ste 203, 19.7 miles
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
100 N TUSTIN AVE 19.7 miles
TUSTIN, CA 92780
5525 W SLAUSON AVE 19.8 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90056
5971 VENICE BLVD FL 4 19.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90034
18561 BEACH BLVD 19.9 miles
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648
15302 EL PRADO RD 19.9 miles
CHINO, CA 91710
3401 S HARBOR BLVD 20.1 miles
SANTA ANA, CA 92704
5475 WALNUT AVE 20.2 miles
CHINO, CA 91710
18800 Main St Ste 111, 20.2 miles
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
25965 NORMANDIE AVE FL 1 20.2 miles
HARBOR CITY, CA 90710
18811 FLORIDA ST 20.3 miles
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648
1530 E Edinger Ave Ste 1 20.4 miles
Santa Ana, CA 92705
8512 Whitworth Dr 20.4 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90035
1619 E Edinger Ave 20.5 miles
Santa Ana, CA 92705
8501 Wilshire Blvd Suite 305, 20.6 miles
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
920 N NASH ST 20.6 miles
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
6033 W CENTURY BLVD STE 200 20.7 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
501 S BUENA VISTA ST 20.7 miles
BURBANK, CA 91505
21320 HAWTHORNE BLVD STE 227 20.9 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90503
8800 S SEPULVEDA BLVD STE 8 20.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
8930 S SEPULVEDA BLVD STE 200 20.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
8726 S SEPULVEDA BLVD 20.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
9601 S SEPULVEDA BLVD 20.9 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
2701 W ALAMEDA AVE STE 203 21.0 miles
BURBANK, CA 91505
1534 E WARNER AVE 21.1 miles
SANTA ANA, CA 92705
8700 BEVERLY BLVD 21.1 miles
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90048
4101 TORRANCE BLVD 21.1 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90503
8891 CENTRAL AVE 21.2 miles
MONTCLAIR, CA 91763
390 N SEPULVEDA BLVD STE 1000 21.2 miles
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
1700 E WALNUT AVE 21.2 miles
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
3330 LOMITA BLVD 21.2 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90505
1601 MONTE VISTA AVE Ste 190 21.3 miles
CLAREMONT, CA 91711
1241 E DYER RD STE 145 21.3 miles
SANTA ANA, CA 92705
23441 Madison St Ste 300, 21.5 miles
Torrance, CA 90505
9122 ADAMS AVE 21.5 miles
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92646
754 N MOUNTAIN AVE 21.7 miles
ONTARIO, CA 91762
23441 MADISON ST.BLD8,STE 110 21.7 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90505
520 N Prospect Ave Ste 305, 21.7 miles
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
17232 RED HILL AVE 22.0 miles
IRVINE, CA 92614
2492 WALNUT AVE STE 110 22.1 miles
TUSTIN, CA 92780
12001 W WASHINGTON BLVD 22.3 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90066
3413 W PACIFIC AVE 102 22.4 miles
BURBANK, CA 91505
12212 W WASHINGTON BLVD 22.5 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90066
3002 DOW AVE STE 204 22.8 miles
TUSTIN, CA 92780
1294 W 6th St Ste 206, 22.8 miles
San Pedro, CA 90731
1000 BRISTOL ST N Ste 1B 22.8 miles
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660
1360 W 6TH ST STE 190 22.9 miles
SAN PEDRO, CA 90732
1300 W 7TH ST 22.9 miles
SAN PEDRO, CA 90732
3413 W PACIFIC AVE 23.1 miles
BURBANK, CA 91505
2362 MORSE AVE 23.1 miles
IRVINE, CA 92614
2171 S GROVE AVE STE A 23.5 miles
ONTARIO, CA 91761
301 VICTORIA ST 23.6 miles
COSTA MESA, CA 92627
11560 W PICO BLVD 23.8 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90064
999 San Bernardino Rd 24.1 miles
Upland, CA 91786
757 WESTWOOD PLZ 24.4 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90095
1310 SAN BERNARDINO RD STE 107 24.4 miles
UPLAND, CA 91786
8283 Grove Ave Ste 204, 24.7 miles
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
11631 VICTORY BLVD STE 101 24.8 miles
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91606
11432 VANOWEN ST 24.8 miles
N HOLLYWOOD, CA 91605
11645 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 830 25.0 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90025
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Local Area Info: Whittier, California
Whittier is a city in Southern California located within Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 85,331, reflecting an increase of 1,631 from the 83,680 counted in the 2000 Census, and encompasses 14.7 square miles (38.0 km2). Like nearby Montebello, the city constitutes part of the Gateway Cities. Whittier was incorporated in February 1898 and became a charter city in 1955. The city is named for the poet John Greenleaf Whittier and is home to Whittier College.
Whittier's roots can be traced to Spanish soldier Manuel Nieto. In 1784, Nieto received a Spanish land grant of 300,000 acres (1,200 km2), Rancho Los Nietos, as a reward for his military service and to encourage settlement in California. The area of Nieto's land grant was reduced in 1790 as the result of a dispute with Mission San Gabriel. Nonetheless, Nieto still had claim to 167,000 acres (680 km2) stretching from the hills north of Whittier, Fullerton and Brea, south to the Pacific Ocean, and from what is known today as the Los Angeles River east to the Santa Ana River. Nieto built a rancho for his family near Whittier, and purchased cattle and horses for his ranch and also planted cornfields. When Nieto died in 1804, his children inherited their father's property.
At the time of the Mexican–American War, much of the land that would become Whittier was owned by Pio Pico, a rancher and the last Mexican governor of Alta California. Pio Pico built a hacienda here on the San Gabriel River, known today as Pio Pico State Historic Park. Following the Mexican–American War, German immigrant Jacob F. Gerkens paid $234 to the U.S. government to acquire 160 acres (0.6 km2) of land under the Homestead Act and built the cabin known today as the Jonathan Bailey House. Gerkens would later become the first chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department. Gerkens' land was owned by several others before a group of Quakers purchased it and expanded it to 1,259 acres (5 km2), with the intent of founding a Quaker community. The area soon became known as a thriving citrus ranching region, with "Quaker Brand" fruit being shipped all over the United States. Later, walnut trees were also planted, and Whittier became the largest walnut grower in the United States. In addition to walnuts and citrus, Whittier was also a major producer of pampas grass.