The Texas Breath Alcohol Testing Regulations were established in 1969 by the Texas Legislature. The Texas Department of Public Safety created the Office of the Scientific Director to administer and enforce these regulations. All evidential breath analyses collected by state, county, and city law enforcement officials are performed in accordance with these regulations. These analyses are conducted in over 370 approved testing facilities by one of approximately 6000 certified breath test operators representing some 700 different law enforcement agencies.
Technical Supervisors are qualified forensic scientists that are certified by the Scientific Director. They act as representatives of the Scientific Director in all matters pertaining to breath alcohol testing. The primary function of the Technical Supervisor is to provide technical, administrative, and supervisory expertise in safeguarding the scientific integrity of the breath alcohol testing program.
Breath Test Operators are individuals that are certified by the Scientific Director to conduct evidential breath alcohol analyses for law enforcement purposes. The Office of the Scientific Director has developed comprehensive training standards and curricula for this certification. Individuals desiring to become certified breath test operators are encouraged to contact the Technical Supervisor within their jurisdiction prior to seeking enrollment in an approved operator course.
The Office of the Scientific Director has developed standardized calibration processes for evidential breath alcohol test instruments used in Texas. These calibration processes utilize certified reference materials (CRMs) which are traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Texas Breath Alcohol Laboratory is accredited under the ISO 17025:2017 standards for calibration laboratories, it is the largest laboratory in the nation to provide such services on a statewide level.
The Certified Reference Material (CRM) Laboratory is responsible for producing certified calibration solutions and traceability solutions, as well as NIST traceable field reference solutions in support of the statewide Texas Breath Alcohol Program. The CRM Laboratory is accredited under ISO 17034:2016 standards and is one of the only accredited alcohol reference material production laboratories in the country.