Disclaimer: This article provides general information, not legal advice. Confirm requirements for your operation with FMCSA or the current eCFR.
Quick answer
A C/TPA, or consortium/third-party administrator, is a company that runs DOT drug and alcohol testing for employers: the random pool, test orders, results and records. 49 CFR 40.3 defines it. An owner-operator with a CDL needs one for two jobs: a random testing pool, and the Clearinghouse reporting an employer would do.
What a C/TPA does
- Puts your drivers in a random pool and runs the draws.
- Tells you when you're picked and sends you to a collection site.
- Gets the results and keeps the records an auditor asks for.
- For owner-operators, reports to the Clearinghouse for you.
Why owner-operators need one
Random testing. A pool of one driver isn't random, so a one-truck carrier joins a larger pool run by a C/TPA. 49 CFR 382.305 lets your drivers be part of that pool.
Clearinghouse reporting. An employer who employs himself or herself as a driver must designate a C/TPA, under 49 CFR 382.705(b)(6). The C/TPA reports what an employer would, such as a refused test.
You still need a full Clearinghouse query before you drive and a query every year, under 49 CFR 382.701. If you're leased on to a carrier, the carrier's program usually covers you; confirm it in writing.
How to designate a C/TPA in the Clearinghouse
- Register in the FMCSA Clearinghouse as an owner-operator. You need your USDOT number and a Login.gov account.
- From your dashboard, choose to designate a C/TPA, search for the company by name and send the request.
- It's done when the C/TPA accepts. Until then, nobody is reporting for you.
What a C/TPA costs
Published yearly fees we checked on November 8, 2026 ran from about $50 to $300. Many C/TPAs bill each test on top, usually $69 to $99. Before you join, ask three things: are random tests included, what does a test cost, and are Clearinghouse queries extra?
Frequently asked questions
Is a C/TPA the same as a consortium?
Mostly. The consortium is the random pool; the C/TPA is the company that runs it. Most consortiums are C/TPAs.
Can I change my C/TPA?
Yes. Join the new one first, then designate it in the Clearinghouse and remove the old one, so you're never without a pool.
Next step: pick a C/TPA
Ours is $99 per driver per year, with every random test included. See the consortium