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.   To register for this course, students are required to electronically submit a Training Request form (CHP522) to the course coordinator identified in the class description below.  An email with a name and POST ID number will not suffice to reserve a spot in this class.
​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 Impaired Driving Section at (916) 843-4360 or DRE@chp.ca.gov.

​Upcoming SFST Classes

11/2 – 11/4/2026 – Los Angeles

Start Time: 11/02/2026 7:00 AM
End Time: 11/04/2026 4:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Timothy Arroyo via e-mail at 39477@lapd.online.  For more information, please call (323) 276-2380 or (818) 426-4568.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-045
Event Location: 1880 N. Academy Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
11/9 - 11/10/2026 – Pismo Beach

Start Time: 11/09/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 11/10/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522 Training Request form to the class coordinator Kyle Laughlin via e-mail at klaughlin@pismobeach.org.  For more information please call (805) 773-2208 or (802) 793-0020.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-035
Event Location: 1000 Bello Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449.
11/9 – 11/11/2026 – Pacific Grove ***THIS CLASS IS FULL***

Start Time: 11/09/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 11/11/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Maisie Webber via e-mail at Maisie.Webber@chp.ca.gov.  For more information, please call (916) 843-4358.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-026
Event Location: 834 Asilomar Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.
11/9 – 11/11/2026 – Redding

Start Time: 11/09/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 11/11/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Brent Lemler via e-mail at BLEMLER@CITYOFREDDING.GOV.  For more information, please call (530) 225-4200 or (530) 768-3133.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-040
Event Location: 4300 Caterpillar Road Rm 2, Redding, CA 96003 – SHIELD Training Center.
11/19 – 11/20/2026 – Fremont

Start Time: 11/19/2026 1100

End Time: 11/20/2026 1900

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Cooper Mauldin via e-mail at cmauldin@fremont.gov.  For more information, please call (510) 767-7898 or (916) 740-0364.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-034

Event Location: 2000 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538 – Fremont Police Department Range Classroom.  
11/23 – 11/24/2026 – San Rafeal Police Department

Start Time: 11/23/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 11/24/2026 5:00 PM

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form along with your SFST certificate to Justin Dodson via e-mail 618@srpd.org.  For more information, please call (628) 253-3084.

Fee: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20272-26-044.
Event Location: 1375 Fifth Ave San Rafael, CA 94901 - San Rafael Public Safety Center EOC Room
11/30 – 12/2/2026 – Riverside ***THIS CLASS IS FULL***

Start Time: 11/30/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 12/02/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Matthew Chipukites via e-mail at mchipukites@riversideca.gov.  For more information, please call (951) 897-9531 or (951) 858-6838.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-038
Event Location: 10540 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505.
12/14 - 12/16/2026 – Anaheim

Time: 12/14/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 12/16/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Lucy Mollica via e-mail  at lmollica@anaheim.net.  For more information, please call (714) 765-3862.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-023
Event Location: 8201 E Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim, CA 92808 – Anaheim Police Department East Substation.
12/14 – 12/16/2026 – Laguna Hills

Start Time: 12/14/2026 8:00 AM

End Time: 12/16/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Elliott Rubright via e-mail at erubright@ocsheriff.gov.  For more information, please call (714) 912-3388.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No

Wet Lab: Yes

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-036

Event Location: 26161 Gordon Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.
12/14 – 12/16/2026 – San Francisco

Start Time: 12/14/2026 7:00 AM
End Time: 12/16/2026 4:00 PM

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

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-039
Event Location: 350 Amber Drive, San Francisco, CA 94131.
12/15/26 – 12/16/26 – Eureka

Start Time: 12/15/2026 8:00 AM
End Time: 12/16/2026 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Jacqueline Tagaropoulos via e-mail at jtag@eurekaca.gov.  For more information, please call (707) 441-4095 or (707) 601-5388.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-042
Event Location: 1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA 95501 – Wharfinger Building Great Room.
1/5 – 1/6/2027 – Huntington Beach

Start Time: 01/05/2027 8:00 AM

End Time: 01/06/2027 5:00 PM

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

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No

Wet Lab: No

Pre-Requisites: None

POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-046

Event Location: 7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 – Central Library.
1/11/27-1/13/27 - Simi Valley Police Department

Start Time: 1/11/2027 8:00 AM
End Time: 1/13/2027 5:00 PM

Training Request Form (CHP 522 Link)

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form along with your SFST certificate to Kathi Borovay via e-mail kborovay@simivally.org.  For more information, please call (805) 583-6942.

Fee: No
Wet Lab: Yes
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20272-26-043.
Event Location: 3901 Alamo St. Simi Valley, CA 93063 – EOC Meeting Room
4/7 – 4/8/2027 – Merced

Start Time: 04/07/2027 8:00 AM
End Time: 04/08/2027 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Levi Crane via e-mail at CrainL@cityofmerced.gov.  For more information, please call (209) 769-0340 or (209) 777-9471.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-025
Event Location: 611 W. 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340.
4/14 – 4/15/2027 – Merced

Start Time: 04/14/2027 8:00 AM
End Time: 04/15/2027 5:00 PM

Class Description:  To register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to the class coordinator Levi Crane via e-mail at CrainL@cityofmerced.gov.  For more information, please call (209) 769-0340 or (209) 777-9471.

The CHP 522 class request form is available here: Important Forms

Fee: No
Wet Lab: No
Pre-Requisites: None
POST CCN: 1270-20290-26-027
Event Location: 611 W. 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340 – Merced Police Department.