Following is an email sent to our FMCSA-regulated clients on October 2019.

What is the Clearinghouse?

According to the FMCSA, “The Clearinghouse is a secure online database that will give employers, the FMCSA, State Driver Licensing Agencies, and State law enforcement personnel real-time access to important information about CDL Driver drug and alcohol program violations.”

The Clearinghouse was approved in 2017 and becomes the law on January 6, 2020. 

There is a lot to learn and we consider it part of our job as a C/TPA to help. 

We have summarized the highlights which apply to Employers and Drivers here: www.inoutlabs.com/clearinghouse

You really should spend some time reading the full FAQ at the Clearinghouse website.

Who has to register?

  • FMCSA regulated employers – Employer info (pdf)
  • Medical Review Officers (MRO) reviewing DOT drug test results
  • Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP) who will be doing the return to duty process for DOT drivers
  • Consortium/Third Party Administrators (C/TPA) who will be assisting employers with Clearinghouse responsibilities
  • CDL Drivers  – Driver info  (see below about requirements to register)

Registration is open now.

What is this going to cost? 

Common question.

  • Employers will be required to purchase Queries from the Clearinghouse at $1.25 each.
  • C/TPA fees for managing Clearinghouse responsibilities on behalf of our clients: TBA. C/TPAs across the industry are still working this out.
  • Since MROs have some additional responsibilities, we are anticipating a nominal increase in MRO fees.

Deadline to Register: January 6, 2020

What to do NOW

Employers 

  • Register your company as soon as possible and Identify InOut Labs as your C/TPA so we will be able to perform queries on your behalf.
  • Send notification to all employees to register
  • Have all existing CDLs and any hired from this point forward sign a Clearinghouse Consent Form (pdf sample).  If you do not have consent, you cannot perform a query. If you do not perform a query, you cannot use that employee for safety sensitive work (i.e. drive).

Owner OperatorsRegister for the Clearinghouse and select InOut Labs as your C/TPA. Owner Operators are required to select a C/TPA

Watch for further emails from us  in the coming days and weeks regarding:

  • Queries – How to purchase them and how to use them.
  • Employer Clearinghouse reporting requirements.
  • How you can use InOut Labs to support your Clearinghouse responsibilities

Check out Tim discussing 6 FMCSA Drug Testing Requirements