What Is a Chain of Custody Form?

In addition to a DOT physical exam, drug tests are a prevalent part of any DOT employee’s terms of employment. Whether that person operates a vehicle or performs other necessary tasks beyond trucking, they must remain sober, alert, and able to function throughout their duties. A chain of custody form or CCF is among the documents necessary to complete the drug testing protocol. 

Learn more about the details from the FMCA Filings below. 

What Is a Chain of Custody Form?

A CCF protects samples collected throughout the drug testing process. It establishes a paper trail that documents each person responsible for the sample. Chain of custody documentation begins with you and the employee providing the sample for testing and ends with the individuals responsible for testing the sample. 

The Department of Transportation mandates the CCF in the Federal Workplace Drug Testing Guidelines. In August 2021, the DOT revised and published the official CCF. The form’s changes integrate the use of saliva as a testing sample where the previous form did not.  

What Is This Form For?

The CCF documents each person or entity responsible for handling your testing sample. This documentation prevents tampering from occurring at any stage of the process. Anyone responsible for this sample is entitled to a copy of the CCF. 

The average chain of custody includes five responsible people or entities who can obtain their own copy:

1. You, the employee and sample provider

2. The carrier for which you are employed

3. The facility at which you initially tested

4. The person responsible for collecting your sample

5. The officer responsible for your test’s medical review

Chain of Custody Procedures

What does the CCF process entail? First, you must validate your identity with official paperwork such as a license. The testing facility can then document that your sample comes from you and no one else. 

Then, the sample collection phase begins. The collector assigned to you will document what happens during this phase. They should also adhere to the following precautions.

· They should offer a private, clean room that only you and your collector can access.

· The room should not have access to fresh water, soaps, or other potential contaminants.

· The collector should close and secure your sample in your presence. 

· The sample should remain visible to both you and the collector. 

The sample then travels to the testing facility for assessment. Once the facility finalizes the test results, a medical review officer will review them. If possible, choose labs that offer digital documentation as an option. This electronic evidence prevents some occasional errors associated with the testing process. 

Keep Filings Convenient With FMCA Filings

What is a chain of custody form? It’s a form that documents the individuals responsible for handling your testing sample. By choosing FMCSA filings and permits from FMCA Filings, you can eliminate some of the hassles of physical paperwork by accessing your documents in one place. Learn more about our filing services.