SFST

Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Course

​Background:

In the 1970s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began sponsoring research studies into the development of standardized tests for law enforcement officers to use to evaluate levels of impairment in drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs or driving while intoxicated (DWI).  A number of tests were studied, and some of them were validated by the studies as being accurate indicators of impairment. 

The Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) course, also known as the DUI or DWI Detection course,  is a comprehensive course that is designed to increase the student's ability to detect impairment in drivers.  The fundamental purpose of this training course is to foster DWI deterrence, i.e., to dissuade people from driving while impaired by increasing the odds that they will be arrested and convicted. SFST training focuses on the three-phases of the DUI/DWI detection investigation, and especially on the battery of three tests that were validated by NHTSA in their studies. Students in this class learn how to recognize and document the presence or lack of clues from each test that indicate impairment in suspected DUI subjects. Successful completion of this class has resulted in attendees' improved ability to remove impaired drivers from California's roadways.

Course Description

This course is a 16 hour classroom course which includes instruction on:

  • NHTSA Studies
  • General Deterrence
  • Physiology
  • Vehicle Code Review
  • Detection as a Three-Phase Process
  • Processing the Arrested Subject
  • Courtroom Testimony
  • SFST Instruction & Proficiency Testing
  • Report Writing
Pre-requisites

In order to be considered for training in the SFST program, a person must be employed under direct contact of a criminal justice agency or institution involved in providing training services to law enforcement agencies.
​Registration

Upcoming classes may be found in the Schedule of Classes page under SFST.  In order to register for this course, students are required to electronically submit a Training Request form to the course coordinator. An email with a name and POST ID number will not suffice to reserve a roster spot.
​Fees & Costs

There is no registration fee to attend this course. If a facility use fee is charged by the hosting agency, it will be noted in the expanded course description. This course is funded through the California Office of Traffic Safety DRE Grant. Travel reimbursement is not available for this course.
​Hosting

If your agency is interested in hosting this course at your training facility, please contact the SFST State Coordinator, Officer Bryce Morgan at (916) 843-6336 or Bryce.Morgan@chp.ca.gov.

​Upcoming SFST Classes

10/1 – 10/3/2025 – Rohnert Park

Start Time: 10/01/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 10/03/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Brian Wood via e-mail BWOOD@CHP.CA.GOV.  For more information, please call (707) 806-5600 or (707) 387-6679.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-034

Event Location: 1801 E. Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 – Green Music Center Sonoma State University.
10/06 – 10/08/2025 – Newport Beach

Start Time: 10/06/2025 8:00 AM
End Time: 10/08/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Nickalis Carr via e-mail NDENVER@NBPD.ORG.  For more information, please call (949) 644-3663.
Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)
Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-024
Event Location: 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663 – Marina Park Community Center.
10/15 – 10/16/2025 – Livermore

Start Time: 10/15/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 10/16/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Kurt Cofer via e-mail KCofer@LivermoreCA.gov.  For more information, please call (925) 371-4896.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-028

Event Location: 1110 S Livermore Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550
10/20 – 10/22/2025 – San Francisco

Start Time: 10/20/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 10/22/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to May Huang via e-mail may.huang@sfgov.org.  For more information, please call (415) 401-4607.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-042

Event Location: 350 Amber Drive, San Francisco, CA 94131.
10/23 – 10/24/2025 – Beverly Hills

Start Time: 10/23/2025 7:00 AM

End Time: 10/24/2025 4:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Dale Drummond via e-mail DBdrummond@beverlyhills.org.  For more information, please call (310) 285-2173 or (805) 217-0370.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-036

Event Location: 464 North Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
10/27-10/28/2025 – Gilroy ***THIS CLASS IS FULL***

Start Time: 10/27/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 10/28/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Raul Razo via e-mail raul.razo@cityofgilroy.org.  For information, please call (408) 500-8247.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-24-003

Event Location: 7301 Hanna Street, Gilroy, CA 95020 – Gilroy Police Department.
10/27 – 10/29/2025 – Oceanside

Start Time: 10/27/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 10/29/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Christian Kelly via e-mail cakelly@oceansideca.org.  For more information, please call (760) 435-4399 or (760) 529-2029.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-031

Event Location: 3302 Senior Center Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056 – El Corazon Event Center
11/3 – 11/4/2025 – Clovis

Start Time: 11/03/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 11/04/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Gabriela Santos via e-mail Gabrielas@clovisca.gov.  For more information, please call (559) 324-2500 or (559) 408-8530.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-040

Event Location: 1233 Fifth Street, Clovis, CA 93612 – Clovis Police Department EOC room.
11/4 – 11/5/2025 – Fremont

Start Time: 11/04/2025 1400
End Time: 11/05/2025 2200

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Cooper Mauldin via e-mail cmauldin@fremont.gov.  For more information, please call (510) 677-7898 or (916) 740-0364.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-041
Event Location: 2000 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538 – Fremont Police Department Training Center.
11/12 – 11/13/2025 – Huntington Beach

Start Time: 11/12/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 11/13/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Cameron Houlston via e-mail Ihunter@hbpd.org.  For more information, please call (714) 536-5629.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-035

Event Location: 18041 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 – Huntington Beach Senior Center at Central Park.
11/17-11/19/2025 – Redwood City

Start Time: 11/17/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 11/19/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Gina Sheridan via e-mail gsheridan@smcgov.org.  For information, please call (650) 573-2545.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-24-002

Event Location: 1300 Maple Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 – Maple Street Correctional Center Multi-use Room.
11/20 – 11/21/2025 – San Rafael ***THIS CLASS IS CLOSED***

Start Time: 11/20/2025 8:00 AM
End Time: 11/21/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Justin Dodson via e-mail 618@srpd.org.  For more information, please call (628) 253-3084.
Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)
Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-025
Event Location: 1375 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901 – PD Briefing Room/EOC Room.
12/1 - 12/3/2025 Riverside

Start Time: 12/1/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 12/3/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to Jeff Derouin via e-mail jderouin@riversideca.gov.  For information, please call (951) 826-8722.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-24-00

Event Location: 10540 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92505
12/1 – 12/3/2025 – Riverside

Start Time: 12/01/2025 8:00 AM

End Time: 12/03/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Jeff Derouin via email at jderouin@riversideca.gov.  For more information, please call (951) 826-8722 or (951) 295-7119.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-037

Event Location: 10540 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505 – Upstairs Training Room.
12/3 – 12/5/2025 – San Bernardino

Start Time: 12/03/2025 7:00 AM

End Time: 12/05/2025 4:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Jarred Heim via email Heim_Ja@sbcity.org.  For more information, please call (909) 384-5715 or (909) 388-4902.

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-038

Event Location: 710 N. D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401 – San Bernardino Police Department (Main Training Room).
12/15 – 12/17/2025 – Anaheim

Start Time: 12/15/2025 8:00 AM
End Time: 12/17/2025 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Lucy Mollica via e-mail Imollica@anaheim.net.  For more information, please call (714) 765-3862.
Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)
Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-25-026
Event Location: 8201 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd. Anaheim, CA 92807 – Anaheim Police Department, East Station.