The Australian is in line to have caretaker charge of the Scotland team, which has been without a head coach since Andy Robinson's resignation on November 25.
Johnson is poised to be in charge for the start of the RBS 6 Nations, which for Scotland begins on February 2 at Twickenham against England.
Robinson quit following the humiliating 21-15 loss to Tonga, Scotland's 10th defeat in 13 Tests, and had a record of two wins from 15 matches in Six Nations competition. Scotland are currently 12th in the International Rugby Board world rankings.
The Scottish Rugby Union, led by chief executive Mark Dodson, began a global search for Robinson's successor in the week after his departure.
It was believed the 2015 World Cup draw would help the recruitment drive, with third seeds Scotland up against South Africa and Samoa in what was considered a favourable draw.
Former United States Eagles and Ospreys head coach Johnson was Scotland's representative at the December 3 draw, when Dodson first suggested an interim appointment would be made.
