Path to Trainer Excellence

The mission of NDASA’s Path to Trainer Excellence program is to provide experienced industry trainers with a structured opportunity to become certified NDASA Faculty Trainers. This initiative is designed to cultivate future trainers in the drug and alcohol testing industry by providing direct learning with NDASA’s expert trainers.

By investing in future educators, NDASA is building a robust pipeline of skilled trainers who will sustain and grow the association’s mission of supporting the highest standards of excellence in our industry and promoting safe workplaces and communities. For program trainees, participation in Path to Trainer Excellence creates unparalleled avenues for leadership development, mentorship, and professional networking.

The Path to Trainer Excellence seeks to help experienced drug and alcohol testing instructors take their training skills to the next level. It is not intended to replace a trainer qualification course, train the trainer training or NDASA’s Certified Professional Collector Trainer course.

Program Overview 

NDASA expert trainers will work with trainees over a three-month period on a variety of training exercises and activities to meet learning objectives. During this period, trainer experts will also schedule regular check-ins and evaluations.

The program provides in-depth training on the following topics:

• History of drug and alcohol testing
• History of illicit drug use and related policy
• Overview of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Health and Human Services (HHS) policies
• Knowledge of DOT modes
• Types of drug testing
• Application of training for employers, collectors, technicians, Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP), Medical Review Officers (MRO), and other industry roles.

Through hands-on engagement and reflection, NDASA’s Path to Trainer Excellence program offers intentional, meaningful learning experiences that support professional development. 

Program Expectations

Ideal candidates for the Path to Trainer Excellence program have at least three years of experience in industry roles (Drug & Alcohol Screening Collector/Technician, Third Party Administrator (TPA), Medical Review Officer (MRO) or assistant (MRO-A), Designated Employer Representative (DER), or industry trainers).

Trainees are expected to meet regularly with their assigned training expert and engage in the experiential training and reflection offered through the program.