Effective July 1, 2017, Tennessee employers must promptly report to the state, healthcare practitioner employees with confirmed positive drug test results or those who refuse to submit to any work-related or directed drug test.

Healthcare practitioners have three business days from the time of notification of a confirmed test result to either produce a lawful prescription for the drug or a valid medical reason for using a drug to their employer; or report to the state’s substance abuse peer assistance or treatment program of the healthcare practitioner’s board. If a prescription or valid medical reason is not supplied, or if they fail to participate in and comply with the applicable peer assistance or treatment program, the program must report the violation of the law to the appropriate board. In addition, the employer must report the confirmed drug test, refusal and violation of the Act to the Tennessee Department of Health and the appropriate licensing board.