Drug Recognition Expert School

This course is hosted by the Washington State Patrol.

Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) School trains and certifies law enforcement officers to conduct examinations of drug-impaired drivers.  This class is completed in three phases.  The Academic Training which is the first and second phase is conducted over 10 days (80 hours) and includes courses in physiology, vital signs, standardized field sobriety testing (SFST), and extensive material on each of the seven categories of drugs of abuse.  Students will need to be prepared to work hard and study often to successfully complete this course.  The third phase is the Certification Phase and is typically conducted over five days (40-50 hours). Students get hands-on practice with subjects suspected to be under the influence of drugs and that phase culminates with a comprehensive written examination.  This program requires a substantial commitment on the part of both the student and the student's agency.  The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is the regulating and certifying organization for the DRE program.  DRE certification is valid for a two- year period after which the DRE can seek re-certification by meeting criteria established by IACP and the WA State DRE Coordinator.