Fitness for duty psychological evaluation
An independent assessment of whether an individual is psychologically capable of safely and effectively performing the essential functions of a specific role.
These evaluations are performed by Dr. Brooke Colman, a licensed Clinical Psychologist and part of Michigan Healthcare Professionals (MHP), conducted under professional neutrality standards: the evaluating clinician is not an advocate for either the employee or the organization.
Who requests fitness for duty evaluations
FFD evaluations are typically initiated by:
Military organizations
Seeking evaluation of service members following a behavioral incident, period of leave, or administrative concern.
Healthcare employers and credentialing bodies
Reviewing the psychological fitness of a clinician, provider, or staff member.
Employers in safety-sensitive roles
Where an employee's psychological functioning is relevant to public safety or operational integrity.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and individuals
EAPs coordinating a formal return-to-work process, or individuals who have been requested by an employer or agency to complete an FFD evaluation and are arranging it independently.
What the evaluation answers
An FFD evaluation answers a specific referred question: is this individual, at this point in time, psychologically fit to perform the essential functions of their designated role?
The evaluation is not a general mental health screening and does not address every aspect of the individual's functioning. It is focused on the referral question and the functional demands of the specific position. The report reflects professional findings and conclusions relevant to that question.
What the evaluation involves
A fitness for duty evaluation at Encore Psychology includes:
- A structured clinical interview covering psychological and occupational history, current functioning, and the circumstances of the referral
- Standardized psychological assessment instruments relevant to the referral question
- Review of documentation provided in advance by the referring organization (incident reports, medical records, prior evaluations) and by the individual, where applicable
- Collateral contacts as appropriate and consented, or as directed by the referring party
Evaluations are conducted in person at 33 Bloomfield Hills Parkway, Suite 225, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, Monday through Friday. The individual being evaluated will have an opportunity to participate in a feedback session after testing is complete and before the final report is issued.
The written report
The report documents clinical findings, assessment results with interpretation, and professional conclusions specific to the referred fitness question. Reports are multi-page and are prepared to meet professional and, where applicable, organizational or regulatory standards.
The report is provided to the referring party. Distribution follows the consent and authorization process established at intake.
Report turnaround is typically 5 to 10 business days for private-pay cases. Insurance turnaround (BCBS, BCN, Priority Health) is 6 to 8 weeks. An expedited 48-hour turnaround is available to private-pay clients for an additional fee. If your situation has a specific return-to-duty or credentialing deadline, mention it when you reach out.
Insurance and fees
Encore Psychology accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Blue Care Network (BCN), and Priority Health. We do not accept Medicaid. Private pay is available. Coverage for fitness for duty evaluations varies by plan and by how the evaluation is categorized; contact us to verify your specific benefits before scheduling.
Superbills are available on request for clients seeking out-of-network reimbursement.
Fees for fitness for duty evaluations vary by scope and referral context and are confirmed at your intake session. See our fees and insurance page for an overview.
Scheduling and referrals
The time from initial contact to first appointment is typically around six weeks. Organizations coordinating an FFD evaluation for an employee should contact our office directly to discuss the referral process. Individuals who have been directed to obtain an FFD evaluation are also welcome to reach out.
Related services
Fitness for duty evaluations at Encore are led by Dr. Brooke Colman, PsyD, LP, a licensed Clinical Psychologist and part of Michigan Healthcare Professionals (MHP). Dr. Colman has evaluated individuals across occupational contexts including education, military service, and healthcare. Her approach is thorough and individualized, built around what the evaluation actually asks, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Learn more about Dr. Colman →
Contact us about a fitness for duty evaluation
Reach out if you'd like to discuss your situation first. We respond within one to two business days.
- Who requests the evaluation: me or my employer?
- Usually the employer or the requesting organization sends the referral. You can also reach out to us directly if your employer has already told you an evaluation is needed and you want to understand what to expect. We'll confirm the referral source and scope before scheduling.
- Will you share the results with my employer?
- The report goes to whoever commissioned the evaluation: typically your employer, the school, branch of service, or regulatory body. We'll be clear about this during intake, and you'll sign a release authorizing what gets shared.
- I'm a teacher returning from a leave of absence. Is this for me?
- Yes. School-district requests are one of the more common fitness-for-duty referrals we see. The evaluation covers your current psychological functioning, relevant clinical history, and a professional opinion on your readiness to return to your role.
- I'm entering the military with a prior mental health diagnosis. Is that automatically disqualifying?
- Not necessarily. The purpose of the evaluation is to provide an accurate, documented picture of your current functioning, not to flag a diagnosis as a barrier. Many people with prior diagnoses are evaluated and cleared for service. What matters is current stability, insight, and functional capacity.
- How long does the evaluation take?
- Most fitness-for-duty evaluations are completed in one to two sessions. Standard report turnaround is 5 to 10 business days for private-pay cases. Insurance turnaround (BCBS, BCN, Priority Health) is 6 to 8 weeks. A 48-hour expedited option is available when timelines are fixed.
A first conversation, on your terms.
Reach out by phone or message. We return inquiries within one to two business days.