USCG Drug Testing Services
USCG Drug Test - USCG Alcohol Test - USCG Physical - USCG Random Testing Program
Are you a United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulated employer or individual? if you answered yes, Accredited Drug Testing provides USCG Drug Testing in accordance with 46 CFR Parts 4, 5 and 16. With over 10,000 locations nationwide, ADT can assist with the scheduling of your USCG drug and alcohol test, USCG physical 719k or 719k/e or USCG random drug and alcohol testing program (consortium). For more information or to schedule any of our testing services call us today at (800)221-4291. We offer same-day service for all USCG drug testing services and can assist with complete compliance for all USCG regulations for drug and alcohol testing.
Did you know?
The U.S. Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security since 9/11, however many individuals still think the Coast Guard falls under DOT. The Coast Guard does however follow DOT regulations as the "gold standard" specific to drug and alcohol testing only. All testing procedures must follow 49 CFR Part 40 while additional regulations for Coast Guard drug and alcohol testing are 46 CFR Part 16 and 46 CFR part 4.
Who is required to drug test?
The USCG defines a "covered employee" as a person who is on board a vessel and is acting under the authority of a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner document. In addition, a person involved or employed on board a U.S.-owned vessel is required to engage, employ or be operated by a person holding a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner document.
USCG Drug Testing compliant with Title 46 CFR Parts 4 and 16
- Testing conducted under these regulations is limited to five dangerous drugs (marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP)) and alcohol.
- All urine samples for drug testing must be analyzed at Health and Human Services (HHS) certified labs in accordance with DOT procedures contained in 49 CFR 40.
- Testing for drugs is conducted through urine samples, while testing for alcohol in the marine industry may be conducted using breath or blood. DOT 49 CFR 40 procedures must be followed.
- The marine employer must establish an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This EAP must include education and training.
- Marine employers must make a written report to the Coast Guard of all positive drug tests resulting from any required testing of any individual who has a license, COR, or MMD issued by the Coast Guard.
- Marine employers face serious consequences for positive drug or alcohol tests
How to get a Merchant Mariner Credential?
We receive numerous calls on steps to obtain an original (first) merchant mariner credential. Listed below are the steps to apply for a Merchant Mariner Credential.
step 1: Determine the officer and/or specific rating that you wish to obtain by visiting the NMC's Check List Page.
Step 2: Obtain a Transportation worker's Identification Credential.(TWIC) Applicants should list their occupation as a merchant mariner.
Step 3: Fill out CG-719B Application for Merchant Mariner Credential
Step 4: Fill out a CG-719C conviction statement (if applicable)
Step 5: Fill out a CG-719K or CG-719k/e application for a medical certificate
Step 6: Optional Can be listed on Page 5 of the CG-719B, Page 10 of the CG-719K, Page 5 of the CG-719K/E and/or on an alternate form.
Step 7: Obtain drug testing using a CG-719P Periodic Drug Testing Form
Step 8: Pay the user fees and maintain a copy of the receipt for the application package
Step 9: (IF APPLICABLE) Fill out CG-719S Sea Service or obtain other documented sea service.
Step 10: (IF APPLICABLE) Obtain relevant Training Course Certificate(s) and/or Assessment(s). Make photocopies of all course completion certificates and/or completed assessments.
Step 11: Submit all of your forms, photocopies, and supporting documentation to a Regional Exam Center. You must apply at a REC (emailing your application is the preferred method). Missing information will cause applications to be delayed or rejected.
Step 12: (OPTIONAL) If you wish to receive your credential via a method that can be tracked and will reach you in a few days, consider using an expedited mailing option.
For more information on USCG drug testing, consortium enrollment or obtaining your USCG Merchant Mariner Credential call us today!
When is USCG drug testing required?
The USCG requires drug testing for the following conditions:
- Pre-employment - A crewmember must pass a DOT drug test prior to hire. A prospective crewmember who submits a urine sample cannot be employed until a negative DOT drug test is confirmed by a Licensed MRO
- Periodic - Periodic tests are the responsibility of the individual mariner and not the marine employer and for transactions involving licenses, COR's or MMD's, drug test results must be submitted to the Coast Guard Regional Exam Center at the time of the license, COR or MMD transaction.
- Random - An employer must conduct random drug testing of all safety-sensitive crewmembers at the current annual rate of 50% for drugs.
- Reasonable Cause - An employer shall require any crewmember who is reasonably suspected of using drugs to be tested for drugs and/or alcohol.
- Post Accident/Serious Marine Incident (SMI) - A person (not necessarily a crewmember) who is directly involved in a serious marine incident must be tested for drugs and alcohol. Post-accident testing applies to all serious marine incidents involving commercial vessels regardless of flag of origin. More specifically, this includes crewmembers aboard foreign flag vessels who are directly involved in serious marine incidents occurring in U.S. waters
- Return to duty and
- Follow Up
Is USCG alcohol testing required?
Under USCG regulations 49 CFR Part 40 alcohol testing requirements do not apply to the maritime industry(No Random Testing Requirement). However, 46 CFR part 4.06 does require USCG post-accident (SMI) chemical testing for alcohol use. Furthermore under 33 CFR part 95.035 allows for a marine employer or law enforcement officer to direct an individual to undergo a chemical test for intoxicants when reasonable cause exists or a marine casualty has occurred.
What are reasonable cause drug testing requirements for USCG?
For an employer to authorize a reasonable cause drug test under USCG regulations, a marine employer must have a reasonable and articulable belief that an individual has used a dangerous drug. This belief should be based on the direct observation of the specific, contemporaneous physical, behavioral, or performance indicators of probable drug use and where practicable based on the observation of two persons in a supervisory position. Always remember to document your observations when making a reasonable cause determination.
What are reasonable cause alcohol testing requirements for USCG?
A "covered employee" was directly involved in the occurrence of a marine casualty or the individual operating a vessel and the effect of the intoxicant(s) consumed by the individual who operated the vessel and the effect of the intoxicant(s) consumed by the individual on the person's manner, disposition, speech, muscular movement, general appearance or behavior is apparent by observation. Furthermore, the USCG prohibits alcohol use 4 hours prior to the performance of scheduled duty.
USCG Employee Training
All USCG-regulated employers must provide an educational program that must display and distribute the informational materials and a community hotline telephone number. Each employer must also have and distribute a USCG policy regarding the use of drugs and alcohol. All training must include the effects of drugs and alcohol on personal health, safety and work environment and also discuss the manifestations and behavioral cues that may indicate drug and alcohol use and abuse.
USCG Supervisor training:
The USCG requires one-hour of training is required on the effects of drugs and alcohol on personal health, safety, and work environment; and manifestations and behavioral cues that may indicate drug and alcohol use and abuse.
Reportable employee drug and alcohol violations:
Results of all post-SMI tests and positive drug test results for all mariners who hold a license, certificate of registry or merchant mariner's the document must be reported to the nearest Coast Guard Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
What Coast Guard Employees are Subject to Testing?
Crew members performing safety-sensitive duties must be in the drug and alcohol drug testing program. Safety sensitive duties include but are not limited to;
¢ Directing and mustering passengers in emergencies
¢ Passing out lifejackets
¢ Controlling and operating lifesaving equipment
¢ Controlling and operating firefighting equipment
¢ Any operational duty regarding safety of crew or passengers
Safety Sensitive Position: This is any position (billet) aboard a vessel, that requires the person filling that position to perform one or more safety-sensitive duties or operation of a vessel on either a routine or emergency-only basis. Examples of this type of crewmember may include card dealers, bartenders, game operators and service personnel aboard excursions or gaming vessels. Any person filling a safety-sensitive position is subject to U.S. Coast Guard drug and alcohol testing. All crewmembers, that are responsible for the safe handling of passengers, are considered to be filling safety-sensitive positions as well.
If you are a marine employer, you must make a written report to the Coast Guard of all positive drug tests resulting from any required testing of any individual who has a license, COR, or MMD issued by the Coast Guard. Furthermore, the marine employer must make this report whether or not the individual was hired or not hired, and regardless of the position was one where a license, COR, or MMD is required. As long as the person has credentials issued by the Coast Guard, and if they test positive, a report must be made to the Coast Guard.
Marine employers who do not comply with chemical testing regulations are subject to a civil penalty of $5,000 per day, per violation.