Application Review, Approval, Denial, And Interviews

Review and decisions on applications cross referenced in Chapters 0460-02, 0460-03 and 0460-04, to this rule shall be governed by the following: (1) Completed applications received in the Board Administrative Office shall be submitted to a member of the Board or the Board consultant for review. (a) An initial determination as to issuance or denial of the application shall be made after the application file is complete. Each member of the Board and the Board consultant is vested with the authority to make these initial determinations. (b) Applicants, who by virtue of any criteria for licensure in the areas of mental, physical, moral or educational capabilities as contained in the application and review process which indicates derogatory information or a potential risk to the public health, safety and welfare, may be required to present themselves to the Board for an interview before final licensure may be granted. If sufficient cause exists, an applicant may be required to submit to a mental and/or physical examination. (2) The specific authorization applied for may be issued pursuant to the initial determination made by the Board member or consultant reviewing the application. However, such determination shall not become fully effective until such time as the full Board ratifies it. (3) If an application is incomplete when received by the Board Administrative Office or the reviewing Board member determines additional information is required from an applicant before an initial determination can be made, the Board Administrative Office shall notify the applicant of the information required. The applicant shall cause the requested information to be received by the Board Administrative Office on or before the sixtieth (60th) day after receipt of the notification. (a) Such notifications shall be sent certified mail return receipt requested from the Board Administrative Office. (b) If the requested information is not timely received, the application file shall be closed and the applicant notified. No further Board action will take place until a new application is received pursuant to the rules governing the applicable process, including another payment of all fees. (4) If a completed application is initially denied by the reviewing Board member or consultant, the applicant shall be informed of that initial decision and that final determination shall be made by the full Board at its next meeting. If the full Board ratifies the initial denial, the action shall become final and the following shall occur: (a) A notification of the denial shall be sent by the Board Administrative Office by certified mail return receipt requested which shall contain all the specific statutory or rule authorities for the denial. (b) The notification, when appropriate, shall also contain a statement of the applicant’s right to request a contested case hearing under the Tennessee Administrative Procedures Act (T.C.A. §§ 4-5-101 et seq.) to contest the denial and the procedure necessary to accomplish that action. GENERAL RULES CHAPTER 0460-01 1. An applicant has a right to a contested case hearing only if the licensure denial was based on subjective or discretionary criteria. 2. An applicant may be granted a contested case hearing if licensure denial is based on an objective, clearly defined criteria only if after review and attempted resolution by the Board’s Administrative staff, the licensure application cannot be approved and the reasons for continued denial present a genuine issue of fact and/or law which is appropriate for appeal. (5) The initial determination procedures of this rule will not apply if the full Board reviews and makes final determination on any application during its meetings. (6) Any applicant who has successfully complied with all requirements of the rules governing the specific authorization applied for shall be entitled to its issuance with the following exceptions: (a) Applicants who by virtue of any criteria in the area of mental, physical, moral or educational capabilities, as contained in the application and review process which indicates a potential risk to the public health, safety and welfare may, pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-5-111(a)(1), be required to present themselves to the Board or selected member(s) of the Board for oral examination before final approval may be granted. If sufficient cause, as determined by the full Board, exists an applicant may be required, pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-5-124(b), to submit to a mental and/or physical examination. (b) The examinations which may be required by paragraph (6)(a) of this rule are considered part of the examinations as required prior to issuance of the authorization applied for pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-5-111(a)(1). (c) The issuance of the authorization applied for may be withheld or restricted for violation of the provisions of T.C.A. § 63-5-124(a) and any rules promulgated pursuant thereto or failure to fully comply with all application requirements. (7) If the Board finds it has erred in the issuance of a license, the Board will give written notice by certified mail of its intent to revoke the license. The notice will allow the applicant the opportunity to meet the requirements for licensure within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the notification. If the applicant does not concur with the stated reason and the intent to revoke the license, the applicant shall have the right to proceed according to Rule 0460-01-.04(4)(b).