USCG Maritime DER TrainingDesignated Employer Representative
Run the marine employer side of drug testing, coordinate serious marine incident response, and keep maritime alcohol rules distinct from Part 40 drug procedures.
English & SpanishSelf-paced onlineAbout 3 hours including assessments
Marine employer program administration. Separate supervisor, collector, credential and employer-specific training requirements still apply. This is not a Coast Guard-approved mariner credential course.
Run the employer side of your USCG Maritime testing program
Marine employer drug and alcohol program administration for designated employer representatives. Learn testing routes, serious marine incident response, return eligibility and records in English or Spanish.
Build a practical contact route, respond to testing problems, act on results and protect the records behind employer decisions. Shared DOT procedures lead into agency-specific cases and responsibilities.
Who needs this training—and how often?
Marine employer staff who administer drug-testing programs under 46 CFR Part 16, including designated employer representatives, backup contacts and program coordinators. It also covers coordination of serious marine incident drug and alcohol testing under 46 CFR Part 4. Coverage depends on the vessel, work and applicable rules.
There is no blanket annual renewal interval for this DER administration course in Parts 16 and 40. Refresh knowledge when rules, duties, providers or employer procedures change, or when an audit identifies a gap. This recommendation does not replace other role-specific training or employer requirements.
Your course, module by module
15 modules in each language, including the introduction and final assessment. Practice questions reinforce the teaching modules; the final draws 25 questions from a 52-question bank.
- 01
Your Role in the Maritime Program
- 02
DER Authority and Routing
- 03
Set Up the Testing Network
- 04
Run a Part 40 Drug Test
- 05
Handle Collection Problems
- 06
Act on Drug Results
- 07
Coordinate Recovery and Return
- 08
Protect Records and Oversee Vendors
- 09
Operate the Program Day to Day
- 10
Coverage and Marine Employer Responsibility
- 11
Drug Program and Routine Testing
- 12
Serious Marine Incident Response
- 13
Violations Credentials and Return
- 14
Records Reporting and Maritime Case
- 15
Final Assessment
Who should take it
This employer-administration course does not replace separate supervisor, collector, breath alcohol technician, medical review officer or substance abuse professional qualification requirements.
Rules behind the course
Use the governing rules alongside your employer’s policy, provider contacts and procedures.
- 46 CFR Part 16Marine employer chemical testing and employee assistance program responsibilities.
- 46 CFR Part 4, Subpart 4.06Drug and alcohol testing following serious marine incidents.
- 33 CFR Part 95Separate maritime rules for operating a vessel while intoxicated.
- 49 CFR Part 40DOT drug-testing procedures used in the applicable maritime drug-testing route.
This is not government approval, professional licensure or a guarantee of employer compliance. The certificate records course completion.
Practical references included
No separate commercial textbook is required. Download the learner aids and bilingual regulatory crosswalk to review alongside your employer’s procedures.
Managing a different program? Explore FMCSA DER, FTA DER, FAA DER, PHMSA Pipeline DER, FRA Railroad DER, or FMCSA reasonable suspicion supervisor training.
Start USCG Maritime DER training
Choose one learner or buy seats for your team. One-time price: $99 per learner.
USCG Maritime DER training questions
Who is this USCG Maritime DER course for?
Marine employer staff who administer drug-testing programs under 46 CFR Part 16, including designated employer representatives, backup contacts and program coordinators. It also covers coordination of serious marine incident drug and alcohol testing under 46 CFR Part 4. Coverage depends on the vessel, work and applicable rules.
Does this replace maritime supervisor training?
No. This course teaches employer program administration. Separate education and supervisor-training responsibilities under 46 CFR 16.401 still apply, along with applicable collector, testing-personnel and employer-specific requirements.
How often should USCG DER training be renewed?
There is no blanket annual renewal interval for this DER administration course in Parts 16 and 40. Refresh knowledge when rules, duties, providers or employer procedures change, or when an audit identifies a gap. This recommendation does not replace other role-specific training or employer requirements.
Does federal law require purchase of this specific course?
No. The employer must meet the applicable program requirements, but purchase of this particular commercial course is not a federal requirement. Use it alongside your employer’s procedures and qualified service providers.
Is this a Coast Guard-approved mariner certification?
No. The certificate records completion of this employer-administration course. It is not Coast Guard course approval, a merchant mariner credential, a license endorsement or authority to return a mariner to duty.
How long does the course take?
Plan for about 3 hours including assessments, depending on pace and review. Video instruction totals about 134 minutes in English or 155 minutes in Spanish. Each language includes 15 modules, including the introduction and final assessment.
Is the course available in Spanish?
Yes. English and Spanish versions include narrated video lessons, practice questions and a final assessment. Downloadable learner aids are available in both languages.
Do learners need to buy a book?
No separate commercial textbook is required. Learner aids and a bilingual regulatory crosswalk are included. Keep your employer’s policy, provider contacts and current regulations available as working references.
Does maritime alcohol testing follow the same route as a Part 40 drug test?
Do not assume that it does. The course distinguishes Part 16 drug testing using applicable Part 40 procedures from serious marine incident drug and alcohol requirements under Part 4 and the separate intoxication framework in 33 CFR Part 95.
Does the course cover serious marine incidents?
Yes. It covers incident triage, directly involved personnel, drug and alcohol testing deadlines, documentation, casualty reporting and provider coordination. Testing and reporting duties must be evaluated separately under the applicable rules.
What assessment and certificate are included?
Practice questions reinforce the teaching modules. The final assessment draws 25 questions from a 52-question bank in the selected language, with 80% required to pass. Course completion includes a certificate with the regulatory crosswalk appended.
Is this the same as IMDG dangerous-goods shipping training?
No. This course covers the marine employer’s drug and alcohol program. It does not qualify a person to prepare dangerous goods for vessel shipment or replace function-specific IMDG training.