International Standards for Impaired Driving Enforcement Programs - February 2025-RTP.pdf

International Standards for Impaired Driving Enforcement Programs

(DRE, SFST, ARIDE)

A Product of

The DEC Program Technical Advisory Panel of the International Association of Chiefs of Police

February 2025

Use of the Masculine Pronoun in this Document “He,” “him,” and “his” are used throughout this document wherever a singular pronoun is required to refer to either the male or female gender. This is to avoid awkward phrasing such as “he/she” or the inaccurate use of the plural pronoun “they” or “them” when used with a singular verb.

Table of Contents

Preface 4

Review / Approval of training curricula 5

Definitions 6

DEC Program Standards cover page 12

DEC - Executive Summary 13

DEC -I: Standards for Certification as a DRE 15

DEC - II: Standards for Certification as a DRE Instructor 25

DEC - III: Standards for Recertification 28

DEC - IV: Standards for Decertification of DRE and Instructors 32 DEC - V: Standards for Reinstatement of DRE with Expired or Deactivated/Decertified Status

DEC - VI: Standards for Agency Participation 37

DEC - VII: Standards for DEC Program State Coordinator 40

DEC - VIII: Standards for DEC Program Regional Coordinator 41

DEC – IX: Standards for DRE Program Accountability 42

DEC – X: Standards for Conflict Resolution 44

SFST - Standards cover page 46

SFST - Executive Summary 47

SFST - I: Standards for Training the SFST Training Program 48

SFST - II: Standard for Training as Instructor in the SFST Program 50

SFST - III: SFST Refresher Training 52

SFST - IV: Standards for Removal of SFST Instructor 53

ARIDE - Standards cover page 55

ARIDE - Preface 56

ARIDE - I: General Standards for the ARIDE Training Program 58

ARIDE - II: Standards for Instructors Training the ARIDE Program 60

ARIDE - III: ARIDE Refresher Training 61

ARIDE - IV: Standards for Removal of an ARIDE Instructor 62

Preface

This document is a combination of the three (3) international standards for impaired driving programs; Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) (commonly called Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)), Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE).

REVIEW / APPROVAL OF TRAINING CURRICULA FOR IMPAIRED DRIVING PROGRAMS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and IACP have developed a course of instruction to train police officers in the techniques of removing impaired drivers from our roadways. These training courses have been adopted by the IACP as the minimum training requirements for training and certification courses (i.e., for SFST and SFST instructors, ARIDE, and DRE and DRE instructors).

The IACP, in cooperation with NHTSA, oversees the operation and development of the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, and Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. A Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) has been established to maintain the highest standards of the programs. This panel's responsibilities include reviewing proposed alternative training programs to determine whether or not the course content and learning objectives are consistent with approved standards.

Organizations wishing to submit proposed training curricula for review and approval as equivalent programs for the purpose of training persons in the detection and removal of impaired drivers shall submit lesson plans, visual aids, and any other required materials to the IACP. The IACP staff will submit the proposed course to the TAP for evaluation. Courses that meet applicable standards and learning objectives shall be equivalent.

A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Condensed Instructor Development Course (IDC) has been established. This course is designed to train DREs who have successfully completed a NHTSA/IACP approved DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety (SFST) Instructor Development Course (IDC) to teach the DREs to be instructors.

States desiring to develop and utilize a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) Condensed Instructor Development Course (IDC) or utilize the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Condensed Instructor Development Course (IDC) in conjunction with their state’s established Basic Instructor Development (BID) training, shall send a notification to the IACP each January. The notification shall attest that the state’s BID training objectives include all SFST IDC or DRE IDC curriculum learning objectives that have been removed from the full 40-hour IDC training curriculum. The IACP staff will submit the notification and verification to the TAP for review and documentation of those states utilizing an SFST Condensed IDC or DRE Condensed IDC training curriculum in conjunction with the state’s BID curriculum. For assistance to the states, a form letter has been developed and is available from the IACP to assist in the review process of the state’s BID content and to aid in the annual notification requirement.

Definitions

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR:

A person not certified as a DRE instructor but who possesses knowledge, expertise, or credentials deemed valuable to the program and is thereby designated as an adjunct instructor for the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program.

ADMINISTRATIVE EXTENSION:

A pre-approved recertification extension for submission of recertification paperwork given to a DRE by the DEC Program state coordinator, not to exceed the limits established in Rule 5.1. This period does not automatically extend the time a DRE is considered “Active.” Replaces the term “grace period” used in previous versions of the standards.

ADVANCED ROADSIDE IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT (ARIDE):

The Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) program was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with input from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. ARIDE is a 16-hour training program created to address the gap in training between the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) and the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) programs.

BLOOD OR BREATH ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC):

A measurement that indicates the grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of a person’s blood or 210 liters of his breath. For example, a BAC of 0.08% means that there are 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of the person’s blood.

CANDIDATE DRE:

An individual in the process of achieving certification, through the state coordinator, as a DRE. To achieve certification, a person must successfully complete a training program consisting of the following:

• A NHTSA/IACP approved SFST training course

• A two-day NHTSA/IACP approved DRE Preschool or equivalent

• A seven-day NHTSA/IACP approved DRE School

• On-the-job field certification

CANDIDATE DRE INSTRUCTOR:

A certified DRE in the process of achieving certification, through the state coordinator, as a DRE instructor. To achieve certification, a DRE must successfully complete the NHTSA/IACP approved DRE Instructor Development Course (IDC), conduct a minimum of two hours of DRE training, and witness two drug evaluations.

CERTIFICATION:

The only courses receiving credentialing under the auspices of IACP are the training requirements for DRE and DRE instructors. The remaining NHTSA/IACP impaired driving curriculum courses (i.e., Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) have approved curriculum, but the attendees receive no certification or credentials from NHTSA or the IACP upon completion. DREs are certified by the DRE state coordinator. Any certification status for SFST or ARIDE is from the state or agency level.

COURSE MANAGER:

(DRE Schools) An individual, preferably a DRE instructor with the approval of the state coordinator, who has completed the IACP/NHTSA Course Manager training, who ensures that each training event follows the standardized curriculum and evaluates the training event. The course manager represents NHTSA and the IACP and resolves issues with the training’s content and/or delivery.

(SFST and ARIDE) An individual who ensures that each training event follows the standardized curriculum and evaluates the training event. The course manager represents NHTSA and the IACP and resolves issues with the training’s content and/or delivery.

CREDENTIALING:

The IACP maintains an international credentialing registry for DREs who have been certified by their state coordinators. The IACP also provides credentialing documents that verify the DRE’s certification.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY:

For purposes of these standards, a criminal justice agency is any organization, funded by public monies, that is involved in the apprehension, prosecution, and adjudication of public miscreants;

or in the incarceration, detention, supervision, or control of said miscreants following apprehension, prosecution, and/or adjudication.

DEACTIVATION:

An action initiated by a DEC state coordinator to remove a DRE’s instructor status: or an action initiated by a DRE or DRE instructor requesting deactivation from the DEC Program. To be deactivated, the individual needs to be actively certified at that time.

DECERTIFICATION:

Decertification shall be initiated by the state coordinator when a DRE or DRE instructor fails to meet minimum standards and requirements for certification or recertification, or any conditions in Section IV (Standards for Decertification or Deactivation of Drug Recognition Experts and Instructors) are identified, or when the DRE has been in an expired status for over one (1) year.

DEC PROGRAM COORDINATORS:

A state coordinator is selected by a state’s Governor’s Highway Safety Office, or the equivalent, and designated to act as the statewide coordinator for the DEC Program. The duties and responsibilities of the position are listed in Section VII (“Standards for the State DEC Program Coordinator”) and in the “Guidelines for State Coordinators.” If a state coordinator is not designated within a particular state, the IACP Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) regional DEC Program coordinator shall serve as that state’s coordinator.

An agency coordinator may be designated within his department or agency and be responsible for maintaining program records, ensuring the maintenance of program standards, and conducting training and certification sessions within the agency. Responsibility for this function may rest with one individual, in the case of a small or closely coordinated effort or may be decentralized among several people throughout the agency. If an agency coordinator is not designated, the state DEC Program coordinator shall serve as that agency’s DEC Program coordinator.

A state’s regional coordinator – the state coordinator may designate one or more DREs within the state to support the DEC program. Tasks may include but are not limited to assistance with certification and recertifications, maintaining program records, ensuring maintenance of program standards, and conducting training and certification sessions.

A TAP regional coordinator - one DRE from each of the three regions, as established by the IACP Drug Recognition Expert Section, is appointed by the chair of the IACP Technical Advisory Panel to provide assistance to the state coordinators.

DRE APPRENTICE INSTRUCTOR:

A certified DRE, who is not a DRE instructor, and does not possess specialized skills beyond DRE training to be considered an adjunct instructor, with the approval of the DEC state coordinator, co-teaching with a certified DRE instructor, in the delivery of an ARIDE class, for evaluation of the DRE’s teaching skills and abilities prior to the DRE becoming a DRE instructor candidate. The DRE must have previously completed the SFST IDC training or equivalent state basic instructor development (BID) training on adult teaching concepts. (A DRE Apprentice Instructor cannot be utilized in the delivery of the DRE classroom training.)

DRE INSTRUCTOR:

A trained and certified DRE who has received further training and experience instructing within the DEC Program and who has successfully completed the NHTSA/IACP DRE Instructor Development Course (IDC) or an approved equivalent. A DRE Instructor is qualified to teach SFST and ARIDE based upon the qualification as a DRE Instructor.

DRUG:

Any substance that, when taken into the human body, can impair the ability of the person to operate a vehicle safely.

DRUG INFLUENCE EVALUATION:

A process of systematically examining a person suspected of being under the influence of a drug, for the purpose of ascertaining what category of drugs (or combination of categories) is causing that person’s impairment. A trained DRE can identify, with a high degree of reliability, the distinguishing signs and symptoms of seven broad categories of drugs.

DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT (DRE):

An individual who has successfully completed all phases of the DRE training requirements for certification established by the IACP and NHTSA and who has been approved for certification by the state coordinator for the state wherein they have law enforcement jurisdiction or within their primary state of employment. The word “evaluator,” “technician,” or similar words may be used as a substitute for “expert,” depending upon locale or jurisdiction.

FORENSIC TESTING

Forensic testing, as used within the DEC Program, refers to the use of approved methods of collecting and testing various biological specimens for the presence of drugs. The methods can include but are not limited to, blood, urine, and oral testing instruments and devices. The testing methods and devices used must be approved by the laboratory(s) and should be capable of identifying a wide range of impairment-causing drugs. On-site testing devices will only be approved for field certifications and must be approved by the state laboratory for that purpose.

GOVERNOR’S HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE:

A state agency, or the equivalent, that appoints the state DEC Program coordinator.

HORIZONTAL GAZE NYSTAGMUS (HGN):

An involuntary jerking of the eyes, occurring as the eyes gaze towards the side.

IACP STAFF:

With grant assistance from NHTSA, the IACP has agreed to develop standards and assist in managing the certification process for the DEC Program. As part of this agreement, the IACP performs necessary staff and coordination functions for the program, such as maintaining the DEC Program certification registry and issuing certification credentials.

IMPAIRMENT:

One of the several terms used to describe the degradation of mental and/or physical abilities necessary for safely operating a vehicle.

IMPLIED CONSENT:

Every state has enacted a version of an Implied Consent Law, which serves to encourage persons arrested for DWI to submit to a chemical test to determine blood alcohol content. Many states also allow for the testing of blood, breath, or urine for the presence of drugs and/or alcohol. The concept of implied consent is that the state views the suspect as already having agreed to take the test as a condition of operating a vehicle in the state. The law further provides that if the arrestee refuses the test, his driver’s license will be suspended or revoked.

INACTIVE (EXPIRED) DRE CERTIFICATION:

A DRE’s certification is in an expired status when the DRE has not completed the requirements for recertification by the expiration date issued by the IACP. There may be circumstances where a DRE’s certification has expired, and all requirements for recertification have not been completed. If the inactive status is within one year past the expiration date as credentialed by the IACP, the DRE can be recertified by completing all requirements for recertification. The word “evaluator,” “technician,” or a similar word may be used as a substitute for “expert,” depending upon locale or jurisdiction.

INSTITUTION:

An entity receiving funding from federal agencies, IACP, or the State Office of Traffic or Highway Safety for instruction or research of the DEC or SFST curriculum; or state P.O.S.T. recognized training academy.

INSTRUCTOR TRAINER:

An experienced DRE instructor who conducts instructor training courses. The trainer must be knowledgeable of and have audited all phases of the training within the DEC Program and must be fully conversant with the participant and instructor manuals.

INTOXICATION:

One of the several terms used to describe the degradation of mental and/or motor skills and other faculties due to the use of alcohol or other drugs.

NHTSA:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the United States Department of Transportation, that exercises primary responsibility for coordinating federal efforts to ensure the safe design and operation of motor vehicles.

ON-SITE TESTING DEVICE:

Any device used for testing of bodily fluids such as blood, urine, or saliva for the purpose of determining the category or categories of drug/s affecting the subject being evaluated. Any devices used should be supported by the state coordinator and reviewed and endorsed by the state testing lab.

ROADWAY SAFETY COMMITTEE:

A standing committee of the IACP that addresses roadway safety and other traffic safety-related issues.

ROLLING LOG:

A record (written or electronic) maintained by each DRE which lists all the DRE’s evaluations in which the DRE has participated, either as an evaluator, witness, or DRE instructor. The

Rolling Log should include, at a minimum, the rolling log number, date, time, DRE’s opinion, and toxicology testing results, if available.

STANDARDIZED FIELD SOBRIETY TESTING INSTRUCTOR:

An individual who has successfully completed the NHTSA/IACP approved Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Instructor Development Course (IDC) or an approved equivalent.

STANDARDIZED FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS (SFSTs):

A battery of three tests developed and validated through a series of controlled experiments supported by research grants from NHTSA. The three tests include: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn (WAT), and One Leg Stand (OLS).

STATE:

In addition to the designated states within the United States, this term is used to indicate other recognized jurisdictions, including U.S. Territories and other approved jurisdictions outside the United States. In jurisdictions outside the United States, the applicable geographic title may be substituted throughout this document as needed and directed by that country’s national DRE Coordinator. (e.g., The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the TAP-recognized coordinator for Canada, can choose to apply the title “Province" for jurisdictions in Canada).

TECHNICAL ADVISORY PANEL (TAP):

A stand-alone advisory group formed to assist the NHTSA and the IACP on specific matters relating to the DEC Program. These matters include but are not limited to the revision of the approved training curriculum, review and approval of proposed alternative training programs, and other matters relating to the technical aspects of the DEC Program, which include Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Impairment Training for Education Professionals (DITEP) and the DEC Program.

TRAINING CURRICULA:

The IACP, in cooperation with NHTSA, oversees the operation and curricula development of the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training. In order to maintain the high standards of the programs, a responsibility of the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) includes reviewing proposed alternative training programs to determine whether or not the course content and learning objectives are consistent with approved standards.

The International Standards of the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program

A Product of

The DEC Program Technical Advisory Panel of the International

Association of Chiefs of Police

Executive Summary

Since 1984, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has supported the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program, often referred to as the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Training Program. Initially developed by the Los Angeles, California, Police Department, DRE training has been validated through both laboratory and field studies conducted by Johns Hopkins University.

In 1987, the Highway Safety Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) was requested by NHTSA to participate in the development and national expansion of the DEC Program, as well as to oversee the credentialing of certified DREs.

As the program grew, it became apparent that in order to ensure continued success, nationally accepted standards needed to be established. These standards, which establish criteria for the selection, training, and certification of DREs, helped to ensure the continued high level of performance of the DEC Program. In 1988, NHTSA asked the IACP and its Highway Safety Committee to develop this system of nationally accepted standards.

In March 1989, the IACP and NHTSA sponsored a meeting at the Transportation Safety Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Persons invited to this meeting included experienced DREs, DRE instructors, curriculum specialists, toxicologists, prosecutors, and training administrators. The participants met in working groups to reach a consensus concerning the DEC Program’s many issues and developed recommended minimum standards for the Highway Safety Committee.

The standards were drafted and presented to the committee for review at its midyear meeting in June 1989.

In addition, the Highway Safety Committee agreed to name a Drug Evaluation and Classification Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) to assist and advise the committee concerning technical aspects relating to the program’s operation.

The Highway Safety Committee, by resolution, adopted the Interim National Standards of the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. The standards were subsequently approved by the voting membership of the IACP. The standards were adopted on an interim basis pending the outcome of an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program to be performed by NHTSA. In October 1992, the standards were officially approved and adopted. Revisions and updates are periodically made to the standards. Unless otherwise indicated in the specific revision, these revisions are prospective only and shall not apply retroactively.

Presented in this document are minimum standards specifying the requirements for certification and recertification of DREs and DRE instructors, standards for decertification and reinstatement, and standards for agency participation. Also, administrative guidelines are provided for those agencies participating in the program.

Nothing in this document shall restrict or preclude a participating state from adopting or implementing reasonable standards which are more stringent standards. The more stringent standards should be implemented by the State DEC Program Coordinator as directed and approved by that state's Governor's Highway Safety Office and with the review of the TAP Standards Committee.

Before a state implements more stringent standards, notification shall be provided to the TAP Standards Committee to allow for review and, if needed, discussion by the TAP Standards Committee. This is necessary to ensure that any more stringent standards utilized are reasonable, in-line with, and support the overall goals and objectives of the DEC Program. After reviewing the more stringent standards, the TAP Standards Committee will acknowledge the use of the more stringent standard or can recommend discussion, comment, or action by TAP as a whole if necessary.

In addition, in January of each year, any state utilizing any more stringent standards than the IACP International Standards shall report a list outlining each more stringent standard used in that state. This is necessary to maintain a record of the more stringent standards used by states.

When adopted by other countries, these standards will be administered according to their political structure.

I. Standards for Certification as a Drug Recognition Expert

The standards in this section specify the criteria that must be met before an individual is certified as a drug recognition expert (DRE). These criteria outline the knowledge and skills required to be considered for training, as well as the knowledge and proficiencies required for final certification.

The currently approved curriculum involves a three-phase training process. Before beginning the training program, participants must be trained in and demonstrate proficiency in using the NHTSA/IACP-approved Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), including the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test. Phase I of the DRE training consists of the two-day (16-hour) Preschool.

During this training phase, participants are taught the definition of the term “drug” as it is used in the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program and become familiar with the techniques of the drug influence evaluation. Participants also begin to learn the techniques and procedures for evaluating persons suspected of drug impairment. Phase II of the training is a seven-day (56-hour) classroom program during which participants receive detailed instruction in the techniques of the drug influence evaluation examination as well as in physiology, the effects of drugs, and legal considerations. Upon completion of this training phase, the participant must pass a comprehensive written examination before proceeding to Phase III of training, the field certification.

The field certification portion of training follows the completion of the classroom training and is conducted within the next 60 to 90 days. During this portion of the training, participants, under the direction of certified DRE instructors, evaluate subjects suspected of being impaired by drugs other than alcohol. After participating in and documenting the results of at least 12 drug evaluations (being an evaluator for a minimum of six) and completing a comprehensive final knowledge examination, the participant may be recommended for certification as a DRE. The 60-to-90-day period may be expanded to six months with the approval of the DEC Program state coordinator.

1.1 In order to be considered for certification as a DRE, a person shall be in the employ, including part-time and unpaid positions, and under the direct control of: (1) a public criminal justice agency involved in the enforcement of criminal or traffic safety laws as a credentialed law enforcement officer/employee or (2) an institution involved in providing training services to officers of law enforcement agencies. Before attending the DRE training, persons who request to attend DRE training must submit an "Acknowledgement of DRE Training” to the DRE state coordinator. The acknowledgment may be part of a state’s established DRE application process or may be a memorandum presented by the agency to the state coordinator. The acknowledgment should include the administration’s acknowledgment of the purpose of the DRE training and authorization for the certified DRE to participate in DUI enforcement efforts and perform DRE-related duties, such as DRE evaluations.

Commentary: By becoming a participating agency, in accordance with Section VI, it is recommended and encouraged that all participating agencies allow their DREs to support agencies requesting DRE assistance if within the ability of the DRE and the agency to respond to the request for assistance.

Persons with DRE Emeritus or DRE Ambassador status may not be certified as a DRE. Because of their recognized experience, skills, or credentials, they are encouraged to participate in the DEC Program as an adjunct instructor or in other ways which support the mission of the DRE Section and the DEC Program.

At the discretion of the DEC program state coordinator, other persons may audit or observe any or all portions of the DRE training. Persons attending the course as auditors or observers shall not be eligible for certification.

Persons pursuing certification for instructing in the DEC Program must meet all requirements for certification and recertification to maintain their standing as DREs or DRE instructors.

1.2 The candidate DRE should have experience preparing comprehensive investigative reports and providing detailed courtroom testimony.

Commentary: The technical nature of the drug evaluation process and the need to provide detailed and accurate documentation of findings and conclusions requires proficiency in preparing reports.

Candidate DREs should have demonstrated the ability to investigate, document, and prepare detailed reports of incidents such as major traffic crashes or criminal violations. In addition, DREs must be able to provide court testimony concerning their methods and results, as well as their training and qualifications.

1.3 All DRE candidates must attend and successfully complete the NHTSA/IACP-approved course of instruction in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) or an equivalent curriculum approved by the IACP Technical Advisory Panel. To the satisfaction of a DRE instructor, they shall demonstrate proficiency in using SFSTs by the conclusion of the DRE Preschool or a school meeting Standard 1.2 above.

Commentary: The drug influence evaluation process requires that the contribution of alcohol to observed impairment be determined. NHTSA has developed, and the IACP has adopted, the SFST procedure in conjunction with immediate breath testing as a means of identifying the alcohol-impaired driver. If the effects of alcohol are determined not to be the sole cause of impairment, the officer can begin the evaluation process to determine what other causes may be responsible.

In order to conform to the NHTSA/IACP model curriculum, SFST training must contain the specified number of hours and include at least two approved alcohol workshops. In addition, the training must instruct students in the administration of the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN), the walk and turn, and the one leg stand tests.

Each agency should ensure that candidates submitted for DRE training have adequate time before beginning the training program to develop and to demonstrate proficiency in the use of SFSTs or allow for refresher training in these techniques as necessary.

1.4 All DRE candidates must attend and complete the NHTSA/IACP DRE Preschool or an IACP-recognized equivalent no more than 30 days prior to progressing to Phase II, the DRE School.

1.5 Before attending Phase II of the DRE training, the candidate shall have met the learning objectives for Phase I of the training program, the NHTSA/IACP-approved DRE Preschool. The candidate shall be able to:

• define the term “drug” as it is used in the DRE training program;

• name the seven drug categories identified in the DRE training program;

• measure vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature;

• demonstrate proficiency with the 12-step drug influence evaluation process;

• demonstrate proficiency in the administration of the SFSTs, including HGN;

• demonstrate proficiency with the administration of the eye examinations, including pupil size, vertical gaze nystagmus, and lack of convergence;

• complete an IACP-approved DRE Preschool final examination with a score of not less than 80%.

These learning objectives are generally met through the completion of Phase I, the DRE Preschool. The state coordinator or course manager shall ensure that candidate DREs meet the prerequisites. Each candidate DRE will be required to demonstrate the knowledge and skills outlined.

1.6 The candidate DRE shall complete an approved classroom training course that, at minimum, achieves the learning objectives as stated in the NHTSA/IACP-approved training curriculum.

Commentary: NHTSA and the IACP have developed a classroom training course that, when completed, qualifies the participant to proceed to the field certification portion of the training program. Because of differences in the type and level of training for officers in the detection of impaired subjects, agencies should determine the most effective means of providing classroom training in drug recognition. However, in order to maintain the credibility and integrity of the certification phase, agencies that use a training program other than that currently approved by the IACP must have the alternative curriculum approved by the IACP Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) as meeting learning objectives. In addition, the TAP will be responsible for providing periodic updates and modifications to the NHTSA/IACP training curriculum.

1.7 All candidate DREs shall attend and complete the classroom portions of an approved DRE curriculum before progressing to Phase III (the field certification phase) of the training. This shall include satisfactorily completing all assignments and required examinations. A candidate missing classroom instruction shall be required to complete the missed portion under the guidance and approval of the course manager. Candidates who miss more than eight—not necessarily consecutive—hours of instruction shall repeat the course. Candidates shall not be permitted to “test out” of any portions of the training, nor shall they be permitted to attend only those classes they have not previously completed.

Commentary: Classroom sessions missed must be made up prior to the final classroom exam.

1.8 In order to satisfactorily complete the classroom portion of the training and proceed to field certification, the candidate DRE must complete an IACP-approved final examination with a score of not less than 80%. State coordinators shall use the current examination available through the State Coordinator Resource webpage.

A candidate scoring less than 80% on the final examination may, if utilized by the state, be retested once under the supervision of a certified DRE instructor. The retest shall be completed not less than 15 or more than 30 days following the completion of the classroom training.

Commentary: The IACP will provide state coordinators with a final classroom examination that may utilize randomly selected questions from a larger bank of test questions. The IACP will provide two tests to the state coordinators biannually. If a remedial examination is necessary for a candidate scoring less than 80% on the initial final examination, the examination used as a remedial examination shall not have been administered to the candidate previously. Upon satisfactory completion of the remedial examination, the candidate may then proceed to field certification. If the candidate does not achieve a passing score on reexamination, the candidate must retake the classroom portion of the training and pass the final examination before proceeding further in the certification process.

1.9 Upon completion of the field certification phase of training, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to correctly conduct a complete drug evaluation and appropriately document and interpret the results. The candidate must also be able to document the findings of the evaluation.

Commentary: One of the primary factors in the success of the DEC Program has been the emphasis on a standardized approach to the drug influence evaluation process. The training stresses the importance of a systematic, structured approach to performing the drug influence evaluation. Upon conclusion of an evaluation, the DRE reviews the results of all tests, examinations, and observations, documents the findings and draws a conclusion based on the totality of the evidence.

1.10 To be considered for certification as a DRE, the candidate DRE must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 12 drug influence evaluations on suspected impaired subjects, during which the candidate must encounter and identify subjects under the influence of at least three of the drug categories as described in the DRE training. Of the evaluations required for certification, the candidate shall administer a minimum of six evaluations. The candidate may observe the remaining evaluations. The DRE candidate’s opinion regarding drug categories must be supported by forensic testing and/or toxicology. In the case of influence from a drug where forensic testing cannot or does not test for a specific drug, and it is not possible to acquire confirming toxicology, in these situations, for the evaluation to be considered acceptable for inclusion in the certification process, the concurrence from a certified DRE instructor regarding the drug category causing the impairment will be required. Certification training evaluations will be conducted in accordance with the current procedures and guidelines established in the DEC Program training curricula. All evaluations administered or observed, and documented for certification purposes, shall be observed, supervised, and reviewed by at least one certified DRE instructor and shall be performed on subjects suspected of drug impairment. In evaluations having an opinion of alcohol-impaired only, not impaired, or medical impairment, only (1) one of each of these types of opinions may be utilized in the 12 drug influence evaluations needed for certification.

Commentary: For a candidate DRE to receive credit for an administered or observed evaluation, the candidate shall independently write his own narrative based on his observations. The evaluation must also be recorded on the candidate’s Rolling Log and Progress Log. If forensic toxicology testing is conducted and the results are not immediately available, the DRE shall enter the results in the Rolling Log as soon as practical. The evaluation shall include the Face Sheet and a complete narrative identifying the category(ies) of the drug(s) affecting the subject. If the DRE instructor who observed and supervised the candidate’s evaluation is not available in person to review and approve the Face Sheet and narrative, the candidate should prepare a copy or scan of the completed Face Sheet and narrative and send it to the DRE instructor who observed the evaluation for review and approval. After the DRE instructor reviews and approves the candidate’s evaluation, the DRE instructor should return any documentation, feedback, and/or comments to the candidate. (The recommended way will be by e-mail so that a date and time are recorded on the correspondence.) If the DRE instructor is not available in person to sign the candidate’s progress log, they should indicate w i t h in their feedback correspondence to the candidate that they are authorizing another DRE instructor to sign the candidate’s progress log on their behalf. The candidate should keep any returned correspondence with the original evaluation in case any future review is necessary for certification purposes.

1.11 Prior to completing the certification phase of training, the candidate DRE must demonstrate the ability to draw correct conclusions consistent with observed physiological signs and symptoms. In addition, the conclusions must be supported by forensic testing. No candidate DRE shall be certified as a DRE unless blood, urine, or other appropriate biological samples are obtained and tested from at least nine (9) subjects whom the candidate has examined for certification purposes. These may include subjects for whom the candidate served as the examination recorder or observer and those directly evaluated by the candidate DRE. Further, the candidate cannot be certified unless the opinion concerning the drug category or categories affecting the subject is supported by forensic testing analysis 75 percent of the time or in at least seven (7) of the nine (9) samples submitted for certification purposes. For purposes of this standard, a candidate’s opinion is supported if the forensic testing analysis discloses the presence of at least one drug category named by the candidate. In the event the candidate has concluded that three or more categories of drugs are involved, at least two categories must be supported by forensic testing.

Commentary: Successful and uniform application of this standard places essential forensic toxicological requirements on the program. Whenever possible, the DRE instructor should obtain a biological sample to confirm the candidate’s opinion during the field certification process.

Although the candidate must complete a minimum of 12 drug influence evaluations (Standard 1.10), Standard 1.11 requires only 75 percent of those to include a biological sample. This allows for those cases in which a biological sample is unavailable, such as when a subject refuses or cannot provide one. In cases when an evaluation is not supported by forensic testing, a certified DRE instructor should ensure that the candidate’s opinion is based on observable signs and symptoms consistent with the candidate’s opinion. In evaluations where no forensic testing is available, but there is concurrence from a certified DRE instructor regarding the drug category involved, that evaluation will not be included to satisfy the 75 percent requirement for evaluations supported by forensic testing or in the seven (7) of the required nine (9) evaluations with submitted toxicology. However, the evaluation may be included in the requirement in 1.10 to encounter and identify subjects under the influence of at least three of the seven drug categories.

For certification purposes only, alcohol will not be considered an independent category or included within the CNS Depressant category for assessing confirmation rates. For example, if a DRE calls Alcohol (and has a breath test showing the presence of alcohol, such as 0.05%) and Cannabis because of the signs and symptoms observed during the evaluation, if the toxicology results do not confirm the Cannabis, it would be considered an incorrect opinion. In this same example, if the only confirmatory toxicology test result is the breath test for alcohol and no separate toxicology test was performed to determine the presence of other drugs, then it would be considered the same as if no toxicology results were available.

1.12 Prior to concluding the field certification training phase of the DRE training, the candidate DRE shall satisfactorily complete an approved Certification Knowledge Examination (CKE). The examination shall be administered, and the results reviewed by at least two certified DRE instructors. The examination shall only be administered after the candidate has completed not less than six drug influence evaluations, with not less than three of the drug influence evaluations being performed by the candidate. There is no remedial test for the CKE. If the candidate DRE cannot successfully demonstrate their ability to perform as a DRE to two DRE instructors during the administration of the CKE, then the candidate should be removed from the DRE training process.

Commentary: The CKE includes a comprehensive written examination section. As previously described, certification is based on the evaluation by the DRE instructors of the skills and abilities of the candidate DRE rather than on the completion of a specified set of tasks. There is no specific scoring of the CKE. The purpose of the CKE is to aid the instructors in evaluating the candidate’s qualifications, performance, and general abilities to perform as a DRE.

Since this is the final step in the certification process, it is important that the candidate DRE be prepared to take the CKE. It should be administered when, in the judgment of the reviewing instructor(s), the candidate has demonstrated proficiency in conducting, evaluating, and documenting results of the drug influence evaluation process. After the candidate has completed the CKE, the candidate's responses will be reviewed by at least two DRE instructors. The review will be within seven days of the administration of the CKE if two DRE instructors are not present during the administration of the examination. The use of two DRE instructors to evaluate the candidate may overcome any bias either for or against a candidate. If the opinions of the initial two DRE Instructors are not comparable in their opinion of the candidate’s approval or rejection of the CKE, a third DRE instructor (which may be the DEC Program state coordinator) will be utilized to review the CKE. The majority opinion between the three DRE instructors should be the final opinion of the candidate’s approval or rejection of the CKE. However, the DEC Program state coordinator will have a final review and opinion for the approval or rejection of the CKE.

The CKE should be an evaluation step near the end of the candidate's certification process after the candidate has had sufficient training time to have a comprehensive understanding of the DRE process, procedures, and material.

The CKE is to be administered and proctored by a DRE instructor or the DEC Program state coordinator. The CKE is not to be administered as a take-home or unsupervised examination.

It is difficult to develop a standard due to the different jurisdictions that are involved. The following listed procedures are provided as suggested guidelines or best practices for the administration of the CKE. It is understood that testing dates, times, and locations may vary from state to state, so the following procedures are not written as strict policies. However, with each state following these guidelines as closely as possible for the administration and review of the CKE, the guidelines will support standardization in the administration of the examination in all jurisdictions.

The CKE should be considered as one examination and all parts should be administered on the same testing day, whenever possible. The CKE should be treated and reviewed as a single knowledge examination. It is preferred that the CKE be taken in sequence and administered in an area with adequate space for the candidate DRE to take the examination. It is preferred that the location be a secure location, such as an institution or facility used for learning, conducting classes, or testing.

Recommendations for the actual administration process are: The CKE may be administered in one whole part or in two separate parts on the day of testing. The test may be administered in a written format or in combination with an oral or interview-structured format. Sections 1 and 2 may be administered together to ensure the candidate knows and understands the basic parts of the DRE evaluation and the DRE matrix. After the candidate has completed these two sections, they should be reviewed by monitoring DRE instructors, and if there are any questions about the responses, the DRE instructors may ask the candidate for clarification of a response or to explain items in more detail or depth. After successfully completing those two sections, the candidate may then proceed to examination sections 3, 4, and 5. If the candidate cannot successfully complete sections 1 and/or 2 they should be dismissed from the DRE training.

When the candidate has completed all five sections of the CKE, either as a single examination or administered in two parts as described above, the candidate’s full CKE should be reviewed as a whole. The reviewing DRE instructors should review the examination as a totality of the candidate’s knowledge and understanding when developing their opinion as to their approval or rejection of the CKE. If there are questions about any of the candidate’s responses, the DRE instructors may ask the candidate for clarification or to explain items in more detail or depth.

During the reviewing process, the DRE instructors may ask the candidate to perform additional similar tasks from any section of the examination to ensure the candidate’s knowledge and understanding. This is necessary so that the reviewing DRE instructors fully evaluate the candidate's qualifications, performance, and general abilities to perform as a DRE.

Acceptance or Rejection of the CKE:

If two DRE instructors approve the candidate’s CKE, then those two DRE instructions should sign the candidate’s Progress Log on the appropriate lines.

If two DRE instructors reject the candidate’s CKE, the candidate should be dismissed from the DRE training. In cases of rejection, the lead DRE instructor, the DRE School course manager, and the DEC Program state coordinator should be notified of the potential rejection. This will allow them to address subsequent questions and concerns from the candidate or sponsoring department. The DEC Program state coordinator should then proactively inform the candidate’s department of the rejection.

1.13 The candidate DRE shall complete the field certification phase of training as soon as possible following the completion of the classroom training. This phase shall take place within the next 60 to 90 days and may be extended to six months with the approval of the state coordinator.

Commentary: Under normal circumstances, a candidate not completing field certification within the established extended six-month time period will be dropped from the DRE certification process. However, a reevaluation of the candidate’s qualifications and the reasons for non-completion may be conducted by the appropriate state coordinator to determine if circumstances exist that indicate that the candidate should continue in the certification process.

If the state coordinator approves the candidate to continue in the certification process, the state coordinator shall provide the candidate written documentation outlining why the exception was granted and setting a specific extension time period.

1.14 By the time the candidate DRE has completed field certification training, he shall have prepared a curriculum vitae reflecting his training and experience and complete a log of all evaluations which the candidate has conducted or observed.

Commentary: In order to be accepted as a credible witness, the DRE must be able to document and articulate a body of information concerning training, qualifications, and experience in the field of drug evaluation and classification. Toward this end, candidates are instructed in the importance and proper preparation of a curriculum vitae.

1.15 When the candidate DRE has satisfactorily completed all requirements of the classroom…