Is your Employee Assistance Professional Licensed?
An Employee Assistance Program is defined as a worksite-based program designed to assist in the identification and resolution of productivity problems associated with employees impaired by personal concerns. Personal problems that might adversely affect an employee's job performance may include, but are not limited to, health, marital, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, emotional, or stress.
Who Can Provide EA Services?
The Tennessee legislature passed the Employee Assistance Professionals licensure bill in 1993. In March of 1998, the legislature amended the bill to mandate that any provider of employee assistance services in Tennessee must be licensed. Individuals licensed under a Tennessee health-related board may also perform employee assistance services provided these services fall under their scope of practice.
Individuals providing employee assistance services without a license issued by the Board of Employee Assistance Professionals (Licensed Employee Assistance Professional - LEAP) or a Tennessee health-related board are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.00 and assessment of the maximum licensing fee.
What about out-of-state providers?
Out-of-state providers of employee assistance services operating in the state of Tennessee must be licensed in Tennessee. Employee assistance services provided through an 800 number to Tennessee employers and their employees must have assessment, referral, and limited counseling services provided through a professional who is licensed in the state of Tennessee.
How Can I Find Out More?
For more information regarding the requirements for licensure write the Board of Employee Assistance Professionals, Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, 220 French Landing Drive, Nashville, TN 37243-0657. You may also wish to call (615) 741-2859 or email christina.tugman@state.tn.us.
Send comments to christina.tugman@state.tn.us
