Request for Sick Leave

A decision was requested regarding whether an employee may properly charge an absence to sick leave for a period of emotional stress while she was under the care of a licensed marriage/family counselor. The agency questioned whether a marriage counselor qualifies as a practitioner for the purpose of certifying sick leave. Since charges of sick leave must meet the criteria contained in Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) regulations, GAO requested comments on this matter from OPM. OPM stated that a marriage counselor, licensed by the State, is legally defined as a practitioner for the purpose of certifying sick leave. Thus, if an agency determines that a medical certificate is necessary, such a certificate may be accepted from a marriage/family counselor.