SFST Renewal and Professional Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often must SFST practitioners typically renew their certification to remain authorized to administer standardized field sobriety tests?
- Every 6 months
- Every year
- Every 2 years (Correct answer)
- Every 3 years
Correct answer: Every 2 years
Most SFST certifications require renewal every 2 years to ensure practitioners remain current with updated protocols and legal standards.
Question 2: Which organization primarily develops and updates the standardized SFST curriculum used in US law enforcement training?
- FBI Academy
- NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) (Correct answer)
- DEA Training Division
- IACP Research Center
Correct answer: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
NHTSA develops and periodically revises the SFST practitioner curriculum that forms the basis of training and recertification nationwide.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of attending SFST refresher or update training during a recertification cycle?
- To meet overtime requirements
- To review any protocol changes and reinforce proper technique (Correct answer)
- To earn college credit
- To qualify for a pay raise
Correct answer: To review any protocol changes and reinforce proper technique
Refresher training ensures officers remain aware of any NHTSA protocol updates and maintain proficiency in administering all three SFST components.
Question 4: An officer whose SFST certification has lapsed should do which of the following before testifying as an SFST expert?
- Testify anyway since prior training is valid indefinitely
- Complete recertification training before testifying (Correct answer)
- Submit a written waiver to the court
- Rely on a partner's certification
Correct answer: Complete recertification training before testifying
Lapsed certification undermines an officer's qualification as an expert witness; recertification must be completed before resuming formal SFST testimony.
Question 5: Which component of professional development helps SFST practitioners stay informed about recent DUI case law affecting test admissibility?
- Physical fitness training
- Legal updates and case law reviews (Correct answer)
- Firearms qualification
- Defensive driving courses
Correct answer: Legal updates and case law reviews
Legal updates and case law reviews inform practitioners about court rulings that may affect how SFST evidence is collected, presented, or challenged.
Question 6: During an SFST recertification course, an officer discovers she has been scoring the Walk-and-Turn test incorrectly. What is the most appropriate next step?
- Continue using her old method since it has not been challenged in court
- Immediately adopt the correct scoring protocol as taught in the refresher (Correct answer)
- File a formal complaint about prior training
- Discontinue administering the Walk-and-Turn entirely
Correct answer: Immediately adopt the correct scoring protocol as taught in the refresher
Recertification is designed to correct procedural drift; the officer should immediately implement the correct scoring method going forward.
Question 7: What documentation is typically required as proof of completed SFST renewal training?
- A supervisor's verbal confirmation
- A certificate or transcript from an approved training provider (Correct answer)
- A self-attestation form only
- Completion of an online opinion survey
Correct answer: A certificate or transcript from an approved training provider
Approved training providers issue certificates or transcripts that serve as official proof of renewal and are often required by courts and agencies.
SFST Renewal and Professional Development 2
How often must SFST practitioners typically renew their certification to remain authorized to administer standardized field sobriety tests?