Drug Policy for ATF Applicants
ATF is firmly committed to a drug-free workplace and while ATF does not condone any prior unlawful drug use by applicants, ATF realizes some otherwise qualified applicants may have used illegal drugs at some point in their past. With that in mind, these guidelines are used in the hiring process to help determine whether prior drug use makes an applicant eligible for ATF employment.
These guidelines are not a comprehensive listing of all drug use that is considered when determining eligibility for employment, but rather a guide for drug use that is automatically disqualifying. Please ensure that you meet these standards before applying.
Outside of the automatic disqualifiers, an applicant’s prior drug activities will be evaluated using all available, reliable information about the person, past and present, favorable and unfavorable, when reviewing the applicant’s application for determining employment eligibility.
Automatic Drug Disqualifiers
Misrepresentation
All applicants will be automatically disqualified if there is found to be deliberate misrepresentation regarding drug history in connection with any application for employment and vetting processes.
Addictive Usage
All applicants will be automatically disqualified as outlined below for addictive drug use. This term applies to drug use that caused physical or mental dependency on a controlled substance or prescription drug, and/or an inability to stop taking a controlled substance or prescription drug without incurring adverse effects.
Distribution, Sale, Transport, Manufacture
All applicants will be automatically disqualified as outlined below for distribution, sale, transportation and/or manufacturing of controlled substances.
Position of Public Responsibility
All applicants will be automatically disqualified as outlined below for drug use or related conduct that occurred while holding a position of public responsibility. This term applies to conduct that occurred, either on or off duty, while the applicant was employed in or held any position which:
- Impacts public safety, whether paid or unpaid, to include, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, state or local government,
- Requires a federal government security clearance,
- Requires a federal background investigation,
- Is a sworn law enforcement position or employed as a civilian with a law enforcement agency, or
- Is an elected or appointed position in which law enforcement authority is legally vested.
Marijuana/Cannabis (natural or synthetic)
Use, purchase for personal use, or manufacture for personal use within a state/locality that has legalized marijuana and/or medical marijuana, is still considered illegal by federal law.
The following activities are automatically disqualifying:
- Addictive usage while in a position of public responsibility within the last five (5) years.
- Distribution, sale, transportation for profit without legal authorization, or cultivation of marijuana or cannabis derived products while in a position of public responsibility.
- Manufacturing marijuana or cannabis derived products.
Prescription Drugs (including prescribed controlled substances)
The following activities are automatically disqualifying:
- Addictive usage while in a position of public responsibility within the last five (5) years.
- Distribution, sale or transportation of prescription drugs for profit without legal authorization while in a position of public responsibility.
- Manufacturing any prescription drug.
Illegal Drugs/Controlled Substances (excluding Marijuana and Prescribed Drugs)
The following activities are automatically disqualifying:
- Use and purchase for personal use or while in a position of public responsibility within the last five (5) years.
- Addictive usage or while in a position of public responsibility within the last five (5) years.
- Distribution, sale, or transporting controlled substances, for profit, without legal authorization.
- Manufacturing any illegal controlled substance.
