EN applicants must have a minimum of 2 years of experience immediately preceding the EN application date (or 3 years within the last 5 years) providing employment, vocational rehabilitation or relevant support services to individuals with disabilities.

An EN must have and maintain adequate resources, including sufficient staff and facilities, to provide or arrange for a range of core services to individuals with disabilities in their selected service area. At a minimum, these services include:

• Career planning — Career planning may include benefits counseling, goal setting, job coaching, job development and training.
• Job placement assistance — Job placement services involve part or the entire process from job search to successful hire, including job accommodations.
• Ongoing employment support services — Ongoing employment support includes regularly scheduled follow-up, job retention supports and career advancement services.

EN applicants must provide a business plan with details about how their organization will incorporate Ticket Program specific requirements into their existing business model.

EN applicants must submit evidence of a current certification, license, contract, vendor agreement, or accreditation specific to providing employment services to individuals with disabilities. An organization can meet this requirement by showing a vendor agreement, contract or grant with a federal agency, State Vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency or other relevant public or private agency. Examples of acceptable certifications or accreditations include:

• ACRE — Certificate issued by the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators
• BWIP — Benefits and Work Incentives Practitioner certification from Cornell University
• CARF — Certification from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
• CCSP — Certified Career Services Provider from the National Career Development Association
• CESP — Certified Employment Support Professional from the Association of People Supporting Employment
• CPWIC — Community Partner Work Incentives Coordinator certification from Virginia Commonwealth University
• CWIC — Community Work Incentives Coordinator certification from Virginia Commonwealth University
• CRC — Certified Rehabilitation Counselor from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
• CPRP — Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner from the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
• ICCD — Certification/accreditation from the International Center for Clubhouse Development

ENs must have secure systems in place to protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information (PII) about Ticketholders seeking or receiving services.

All EN employees who will handle PII related to Ticketholders must apply for and pass a federal government background investigation, and obtain a favorable suitability determination. Visit the Suitability page to learn more about the suitability process.

Physical locations — For ENs who will offer services in person, all physical location(s) must be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. See the ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities for more information and guidance.

Electronic information — Access to electronic and information technology must comply with standards found in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. This includes providing information in alternative media and formats, which may include providing text-alternatives for non-text content, captions for pre-recorded audio and making webpages and other electronic media understandable by a screen reader. See the Section 508 guidelines and standards for more information.

Toll-free telephone, email and website — ENs must offer a toll-free phone number, voicemail and email communication for current and potential clients. ENs must also have a website that provides contact information and services offered under the Ticket Program.

ENs must have and maintain general or professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000 per occurrence and, if appropriate, medical liability insurance.

ENs need to maintain accounting, control and operational procedures to track Ticket Program costs, payments, and documentation of services and support to Ticketholders.

ENs must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, a unique 9-character number that identifies that your organization can do business with the federal government. A DUNS number may be obtained free from Dun & Bradstreet at www.dnb.com.

ENs must have an active registration with the System for Award Management (SAM), the primary database for federal contractors. It must be updated annually. Visit www.sam.gov to find out how to register.

ENs must be able to maintain and update internet browsers and other software such as Microsoft Word. Up-to-date browsers and software will ensure use of the most current and secure versions required for access to EN data and processing of secure Ticket transactions.

ENs should be prepared for Social Security to perform periodic reviews of the EN's performance under the Ticket Program Agreement as part of an ongoing quality assurance program.