Fitness for Duty Evaluations
Independent Psychological Evaluations for Employers
A Fitness for Duty evaluation (FFDE), sometimes called a Fitness for Duty exam, is an independent psychological evaluation that answers one question for an employer: can this employee safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the job?
Court Diagnostic & Treatment Center conducts these evaluations for employers, human resources teams, and their counsel. The evaluation is independent. It is not treatment, and the evaluator works for the referring party, not as the employee’s therapist.
Licensed Professionals
Request a Board Reinstatement evaluation for your license.
Referred by your employer? There is nothing for you to fill out. Once we receive your employer’s referral, you may call our office at 419.244.8624 to schedule your appointment. Please contact us with any questions.
When an Employer May Require One Under the ADA
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, an employer may require a medical or psychological evaluation of a current employee when it is job-related and consistent with business necessity. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) describes this as a reasonable belief, based on objective evidence, that a medical condition will impair the employee’s ability to perform essential job functions, or that the employee will pose a direct threat because of a medical condition.
Employers may consider information such as workplace observations, credible reports, documented incidents, or other relevant circumstances when determining whether a Fitness for Duty evaluation may be appropriate. Employers should consult their legal counsel regarding the requirements applicable to their specific situation.
Fitness for Duty evaluations may be requested in a variety of workplace circumstances, including return-to-duty situations, following a workplace incident, or when concerns arise regarding an employee’s psychological functioning and ability to safely and effectively perform their job responsibilities. CDTC provides objective psychological evaluations to assist employers in making informed workplace decisions.
The Evaluation Process
Each Fitness for Duty assessment includes:
- Referral review and consultation with the referring party
- Review of relevant employment, medical, mental health, and collateral records
- A clinical interview
- A mental status examination
- Psychological testing, as clinically indicated
- Collateral interviews, as appropriate
Evaluations take place in person at our Toledo office or by secure video. Video evaluations are available for individuals in Ohio and in states that participate in PSYPACT.
What You Receive
A comprehensive written report that answers the referral questions you send. Employers commonly ask:
- Is the employee psychologically fit to return to work?
- Can the employee safely perform the essential functions of the position?
- Are there psychological limitations that would interfere with job performance?
- Is treatment recommended before returning?
- Are workplace accommodations recommended?
- Is the employee at elevated risk of harm to self or others in the workplace?
The report is released to the referring party under the employee’s signed authorization. The fee also includes up to two hours of professional services after the report: consultation with you, deposition preparation, testimony, or arbitration related to the evaluation.
Who Conducts the Evaluation
Evaluations are conducted by Dr. Megan E. Shaal, PsyD, CDTC’s Forensic Psychologist. Dr. Shaal is a licensed psychologist in Ohio and holds a PSYPACT interjurisdictional certificate to practice telepsychology. Her forensic work spans competency to stand trial, violence risk, and civil evaluations, in state hospital, corrections, and outpatient forensic settings.
What to Send with a Referral
Upload all applicable documentation. Please note that missing or incomplete documentation may result in scheduling delays. For security, please do not email documents to individual CDTC staff. You can use the supplemental referral form for documentation submitted at a later time.
- Referral authorization. An employer letter, or a court order if applicable. Signed releases allowing communication with the employer and treatment providers can also be completed at the interview.
- Referral questions. What you want answered. The examples above are a starting point; add specifics in the form.
- Position information. Job title, employer, a detailed job description, essential job functions, physical and cognitive demands, and any safety-sensitive duties.
- Incident information. If an event prompted the referral: a description, dates, investigation findings, disciplinary actions, and any police reports or witness statements.
- Employment records, when relevant: performance evaluations, attendance records, prior disciplinary history, and supervisor concerns.
- Medical and mental health records: current treatment providers, medication list, hospitalizations, prior psychological evaluations, and relevant medical records.
Please let the employee know what the evaluation involves, that it is independent and not treatment, and that the findings will be released to you under their authorization. Once the referral and deposit are in, we contact the employee to schedule. The employee may also call us to schedule the appointment.
Fee and Turnaround
Fitness for Duty / Return to Duty Evaluation: $3,000
The fee includes referral review and consultation, records review, the clinical interview, mental status examination, psychological testing as clinically indicated, collateral interviews as appropriate, the written report, and up to two hours of post-report professional services.
- Professional services beyond the included two hours: $250 per hour
- Additional record review beyond the standard scope: $250 per hour
- Travel expenses: billed at actual cost
A $250 deposit, paid online when you refer, holds the appointment. The balance is invoiced to your organization, due by the day of the evaluation. Hours beyond the included two, and travel, are invoiced separately.
Our standard turnaround is 30 days from referral to written report.
Board Reinstatement Psychological Evaluations
For licensed professionals seeking reinstatement of a professional license, such as nurses, counselors, social workers, and attorneys.
A clinical evaluation for professional licensure reinstatement. It includes review of the applicable licensing requirements and relevant records, a clinical interview and assessment, diagnostic impressions, treatment and monitoring recommendations, and an opinion on the individual’s current psychological functioning and ability to practice safely within applicable professional standards.
Board Reinstatement evaluations are conducted by Dr. Shaal.
Board Reinstatement Psychological Evaluation: $3,000
Or call us at 419.244.8624.
Questions Employers Ask
An independent psychological evaluation of whether an employee can safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the job. It answers the referral questions the employer sends.
Under the ADA, when the evaluation is job-related and consistent with business necessity, based on objective evidence. The section above describes the standard. Your counsel applies it to your situation.
No. The evaluation is independent and is not treatment. The evaluator works for the referring party.
The referring party, under the employee's signed authorization.
Our standard turnaround is 30 days from referral to written report.
$3,000, which includes the evaluation, the written report, and up to two hours of post-report professional services. A $250 deposit, paid online with the referral, holds the appointment. Additional hours are $250 per hour; travel is billed at actual cost.
The report explains the evaluator's opinion and, where it applies, recommends treatment before a return or workplace accommodations. Decisions about employment stay with the employer.
Yes, for individuals in Ohio and in states that participate in PSYPACT. Evaluations can also take place in person at our Toledo office.
There is nothing for you to fill out. Once we receive your employer’s referral, you may call our office at 419.244.8624 to schedule your appointment. Please contact us with any questions.
Refer an Employee
A secure referral form for employers. After you submit the referral, you sign the fee agreement for your organization and pay the $250 deposit online. We then contact the employee to schedule. The referral must be completed by an authorized representative of your organization who is able to sign on its behalf. The deposit invoice will be sent to the billing email address provided on the referral and may be paid directly through that invoice.
419.244.8624