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14 CFR Section 91.147 · 14 CFR Part 120
FAA Drug & Alcohol Testing for Aviation Professionals
FAA-compliant drug and alcohol testing programs for aviation employers and safety-sensitive personnel under 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40, ensuring safety, compliance, and operational readiness in the skies.
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What's Included
- FAA-compliant drug & alcohol testing program setup
- Random testing pool management
- Pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing coordination
- FAA-required policy development and documentation
- Designated Employer Representative (DER) support
- Supervisor reasonable suspicion training
- Audit preparation and compliance monitoring
- Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) referral support
Who Must Comply?
Responsible for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining aircraft to ensure they meet FAA safety standards. Their role directly impacts airworthiness, making compliance critical.
Operate aircraft and are responsible for passenger and cargo safety. FAA mandates strict drug and alcohol testing due to the high-risk nature of flight operations.
Install, maintain, and repair electronic systems used in aircraft, including navigation and communication systems essential for safe flight.
Includes individuals performing aircraft fueling, dispatch, and other roles that directly affect safe aircraft operations under FAA definitions.
How it works
Required Test Types
Required before an employee performs any safety-sensitive function. Ensures individuals are drug-free before entering the role.
Employees are subject to unannounced testing throughout the year based on FAA-required random selection rates.
Required following qualifying aviation incidents or accidents to determine whether drugs or alcohol were a contributing factor.
Conducted when a trained supervisor observes behavior or indicators suggesting drug or alcohol use.
Required after a violation, ensuring the employee is cleared by a Substance Abuse Professional before resuming safety-sensitive duties.
Unannounced testing conducted after return-to-duty, based on a SAP-prescribed plan to ensure ongoing compliance.
Compliance Checklist
Program Setup & Policy
- Written FAA-compliant drug & alcohol policy in place
- Employees informed and policy acknowledged
- DER (Designated Employer Representative) assigned
Testing & Training
- Random testing pool established and maintained
- Supervisors trained for reasonable suspicion determinations
- All required testing types implemented and tracked
Documentation & Oversight
- Records maintained per FAA retention requirements
- MRO and SAP services accessible
- Audit logs and compliance reports available
Regulatory Resources
Authoritative FAA requirements governing drug and alcohol testing for aviation safety-sensitive employees under 14 CFR Part 120.
View official resource →
Standardized federal procedures for workplace drug and alcohol testing across all DOT-regulated industries under 49 CFR Part 40.
View official resource →
Frequently Ask Questions
Who is considered a safety-sensitive employee under FAA regulations?
Employees who perform duties that directly impact aircraft safety, such as pilots, mechanics, and dispatch personnel, are classified as safety-sensitive.
Are FAA drug testing requirements different from FMCSA?
Yes. While both fall under 49 CFR Part 40 procedures, FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 120) apply specifically to aviation operations and have unique requirements.
What substances are tested under FAA drug testing programs?
FAA testing includes marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP as required by DOT regulations.
How often are random drug tests conducted?
Random testing is conducted throughout the year based on FAA-established annual testing rates.
What happens if an employee fails a drug or alcohol test?
They must be removed from safety-sensitive duties and complete a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) program before returning to work.
Do small aviation companies need to comply?
Yes. Any employer with FAA-regulated safety-sensitive employees must comply, regardless of company size.