Clearinghouse Registration Is Now Open
You should have received an e-mail from FMCSA today, announcing that the Clearinghouse is now open, and that SAPs can register.
My Suggestions
- Save the e-mail that you received. Save it to your Favorites, or somewhere in your Inbox so that you can easily find it when you decide to register. Don’t let it drop down to the bottom of your Inbox, and don’t delete it. (!)
- When you have 10-15 minutes, go to the site, and scroll through all 14 pages, so you get a sense of what is involved in registering.
- Print out pages 13 and 14. Read those two pages, slowly and carefully, when you can. Put them into a file folder or into your SAP training manual or workbook, so you can get at it, to review from time to time. These two pages are the legal aspects of your registration, and having a hard copy to refer to will be much easier than trying to find this information on FMCSA’s website.
- When you are ready to register, be ready with pad and pen to write down the code numbers and the passwords that you will be asked to create. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you will be able to remember these things.
- I strongly suggest that you carry out this registration process yourself. Don’t ask someone in your office to do this on your behalf. This registration is a significant legal process, under federal law, and only you should assume responsibility for it.
- Don’t rush. Take your time. Read instructions carefully. You have until the end of December to do this. It doesn’t have to be completed today.
Additional Notes
This is a federal form. What you enter on this form must be accurate and truthful.
49 CFR Part 382.705(e) says:
Every person or entity with access must report truthfully and accurately to the Clearinghouse and is expressly prohibited from reporting information he or she knows or should know is false or inaccurate.”
I interpret that this statement applies to information that you enter about yourself in this registration process, as well as information that you will report as it relates to a driver that you are working with.
On page 10, you will see that you need: “Your SAP license information”
The "SAP Guidelines" state that “DOT does not certify, license or approve individual SAPs.” So there really is no “SAP license”. FMCSA is asking for information about the credential or license that make you eligible to be a SAP. (Social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, CEAP, etc.)
Good luck!
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