FSA Certification Training
FSA training provides training in the scientific concepts that apply to sobriety testing. The course assumes you are knowledgeable about the NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), but does not require that you have completed the NHTSA course(s). The FSA courses make reference to SFST studies and students should be familiar with the ones most often cited in court cases (the 1981 laboratory study, the NHTSA field studies) and the NHTSA student manual. All articles were written by Steve Rubenzer, Ph.D, a board certified forensic psychologist and widely recognized author and expert on the SFSTs.
FSA certification can now be accomplished online. In the past, the individual courses cost from $250-$450, plus the cost of travel to Houston. Just complete the eight FSA modules. Study and test at your own pace - one module a week or complete them all in a three day weekend. All modules are written to be taken by someone with no background in the topic other than familiarity with the NHTSA materials and tests. Later modules draw on material learned in earlier modules, so it is best to take them in order.
| Module | Title | Comments/Description | Est. Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Understanding Science | Introduces basic concepts of science such as hypothesis testing, use of samples, and the peer-review process. | 45-90 minutes |
| II | Correlation | Introduces the use of correlation coefficients and multiple regression as applied in SFST research | 45-90 minutes |
| III | Reliability and Validity | Explains the often misunderstood concepts of scientific reliability and validity and how an accurate understanding is crucial to full comprehension of the SFST literature. | 45-90 minutes |
| IV | Statistical Significance and Effect Size | OPTIONAL - this module covers two important aspects of scientific analysis, but ones that are not prominent in the SFST literature. A little more demanding and less applied than other modules, it will probably be made mandatory in a couple years. | 45-90 minutes |
| V | Accuracy Rates & Diagnostic Statistics | Overall accuracy rates tell you almost nothing about the value of a test. This module explains why, and introduces several other diagnostic statistics used throughout medicine and scientific fields involving tests. | 90-150 minutes |
| VI | SFST Research | The entire SFST research base is comprehensively reviewed by Dr. Rubenzer in the peer-reviewed article for this module. | 90-150 minutes |
| VII | Research on Signs of Intoxication | This module covers what is known about signs of intoxication and sobriety tests other than the NHTSA SFSTs. | 60-150 minutes |
| VIII | Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus | HGN has a special place among the sobriety tests, and there is a body of knowledge from vision science that raises many questions about it. In this module, you will read Rubenzer and Stevenson's scholarly review, which is currently submitted for publication. If you would like a simpler version to start with, you may want to read Rubenzer's 2008 article in The Champion ahead of time. | 90-150 minutes |
The cost for all eight modules, with testing, is $225.00 for attorneys and experts, with a 50% discount for public servants. You may repeat the lessons or tests up to five times. Any tests taken under a different person’s name or account will not be counted toward certification without prior permission.
Information provided that results in discounts will be verified and if incorrect, will subject the violator to a $35 charge and ineligibility for FSA certification for five years.
Notify me when the on-line program becomes available.
About FSA Lessons
FSA materials are presented a secure web page that restricts the ability to print or cut and paste the material. Some of the lessons are articles written specifically for DUI attorneys, while three of them are academic articles that most dedicated DUI attorneys will want to read. Module IV is currently optional, as the material in it is not emphasized in the SFST literature, but it is important for having a better grounding when reading scientific articles of all sorts.
The lessons will likely differ in the level of challenge they present you. The first one will probably be easiest for many students. Module V, which deals with accuracy rates, will require some hand-on effort for most students. It is also potentially the most valuable. Try to avoid any temptation to skip the problems - doing them is the best way to learn.
After the lesson, you can take the test. Although you can put it off, I advise you don't. Memory fades very rapidly, particularly for details that didn't especially catch your attention. Passing rate for all tests is 75%. You will be notified immediately after tasking the test of your results and given a chance to review the questions and answers. For some harder questions, an explanation of the right answer is given. If you do not pass the first time, you can test again up to 5 times. Again, I would encourage you to address areas of difficulty, perhaps review the text, and retake the test as soon as feasible. Lessons are also available up to five times. If you want your own copy of a lesson article, you can order one here.
Please notify me (rubenzer.steve@att.net) of any difficulties or errors you encounter, including typographical errors.