How to Become a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

By: Erika Price, PhD

Last Updated: December 29, 2018

Vocational rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities live fuller, more independent lives by assisting them in securing gainful employment. Their clients are people coping with physical disabilities and injuries, mental illness, psychological disorders or substance abuse problems. These counselors often work directly with clients as well as their families, doctors, speech therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, and other service providers in order to optimize a client’s readiness for work.

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Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, many disabled people have pushed for greater accommodation in employment. Living with a disability is often very challenging and socially isolating. Employment helps to boost the self-esteem of those with physical and mental impairments, and helps them to play a greater role in their own care. Vocational rehabilitation counselors help their clients achieve their goals and thrive by arranging for the training, therapy, job skills, and support systems that lead to success.

Workplace Details

Vocational rehabilitation counselors work in several different environments. Many work in the educational system, including elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools, where they provide job training sessions and classes with numerous students. Independent-living institutions and prisons employ counselors as well, in much the same capacity. Other counselors have a private practice or work for other community and nonprofit agencies, where services are typically provided in a more one-on-one, advisory fashion. In almost all cases, counselors must tailor their training strategies to the individual client and his or her needs. Most counselors work full time, and flexible hours and home visits are sometimes required.

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The median annual salary for rehabilitation counselors is $34,670, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those working for state and local government programs are paid more, as are those with successful private practices. Compensation for vocational rehabilitation counselors can range anywhere from $21,710 to $62,010 annually.

Institutions such as hospitals and schools that provide a wide range of services including vocational rehabilitation employ nearly a third of all counselors. Nursing facilities, residential care facilities, and state governments together employ nearly another third of the counselors.

Job prospects for vocational rehabilitation counselors are expected to increase through 2024 by about 9%, which is above average job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment settings include federal and state agencies, as well as positions in hospitals, private rehabilitation agencies, and community mental health clinics. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has its own vocational rehabilitation program to help veterans with military-related disabilities find employment. Some vocational rehabilitation counselors perform contract work through their own offices or join a group practice.

Most vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs require a master’s degree in vocational counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or counseling psychology. A bachelor’s degree in social services, counseling, or psychology is a good foundation for this career choice. Graduate programs generally seek applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, as well as some past volunteer or internship experience.

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Graduate coursework leading to a master’s degree in rehabilitative counseling can typically be completed in two years. Courses will include disability studies; the theory and practice of counseling; psychology; assessment; rehabilitation; case management; and educational and community services. Training will involve learning how to assess and interact with clients, as well as how to navigate social welfare and legal systems. Before enrolling in a program, students should check to see if it is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). A degree from a CORE-accredited program opens up more career options and is guaranteed to provide the requisite training and coursework.

Graduate training may be specialized for a specific disabled population. For example, some counselors focus on assisting military veterans, whereas others serve autistic or mentally disabled clients in particular.

In addition to coursework, aspiring counselors put in at least 600 hours of clinical training with a qualified rehabilitation counselor serving as supervisor. Many schools help to arrange an internship or counseling job placement for their students based on interests and availability.

Counselors can find employment without having a professional credential, but will broaden their opportunities by obtaining a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential. Most state and federal rehabilitation programs will only hire CRC counselors, as will be the case with other select programs.

Obtaining the CRC credential entails taking an exam administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). The exam is taken by those who have earned a master’s degree from a CORE-accredited program and who have completed 600 hours of clinical training supervised by a CRC. Graduation from a non-accredited program requires a year of CRCC-approved work experience combined with a counseling internship, or two years of CRCC-approved work experience, before the exam can be taken.

The CRC credential must be renewed every five years by retaking the exam or accumulating the specified number of continuing education hours. Licensed CRCs who relocated out of state may have to take an additional exam to continue practicing in their new location.

Another option for those interested in vocational counseling work is to be certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). This involves qualifying to take a state licensing exam (usually a master’s degree and a specified number of hours of supervised clinical experience) and passing it. An LPC is more generalized, and pertains to work beyond vocational assistance.

Counselors who have only a bachelor’s degree may be able to obtain employment, but they will not be able to provide nearly as many services as a counselor with a master’s degree. Greater education provides greater flexibility and independence. Counselors with a master’s degree or higher are most likely to be advanced to supervisory and management positions. Administrative and academic positions generally pay better and offer greater benefits than direct work with clients, though experienced professionals may open up a private practice and earn a higher income as a result.

In order to work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, you must hold a master’s degree or higher in a counseling-related field. The most direct route to practice is to earn a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.

Your journey starts with four years of undergraduate study. As a prospective vocational rehabilitation counselor, you can technically major in any subject, but would be best served majoring in counseling, psychology, social services or a related subject. To improve your chance for graduate school admission, work hard and maintain a high grade point average (3.0 or higher). College is also a great time to gain some volunteer or work experience with people with disabilities.

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Master’s degree programs in rehabilitation counseling can be found at four-year universities. Some programs offer specialty concentrations or certificates (for example, transition services for graduating high school students).

The Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) offers voluntary accreditation for rehabilitation counseling education programs. While it’s not absolutely necessary to choose an accredited program, you should bear in mind that CACREP is very respected within the counseling field. Graduates of accredited programs have a much easier time getting certified and enrolling in doctoral programs. Some employers also prefer graduates of CACREP programs.

As a rehabilitation counselor in training, you’ll attend classes, complete fieldwork, and undergo supervision (debriefing) with a faculty member. Your program will cover subjects like:

In addition to their coursework, students in CACREP programs complete 600 hours of supervised internship. Some programs also have a research option in which students produce original research and a thesis.

Professionals who hold a graduate degree in a related field (for example, social work) can also work as rehabilitation counselors. To do so, they must generally pursue additional training and certification in the field. Some colleges offer graduate certificates in rehabilitation counseling to help them meet these requirements.

Many employers, particularly public agencies, require certification of rehabilitation counselors.

The most recognized credential for vocational rehabilitation counselors is the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), which is administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Candidates must either graduate from a CACREP-accredited program or show an acceptable combination of education, internship, work experience, and supervision hours.

The Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS) credential is open to disability professionals in a variety of fields. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and complete 2,080 hours of relevant work experience.

Another well-recognized credential is the Professional Vocational Evaluator (PVE), which is administered by the Registry of Professional Vocational Evaluators (RPVE). PVEs provide career development services and coaching to individuals with disabilities and other employment barriers. To be eligible for certification, master’s-trained counselors must document 1,000 hours of relevant work experience.

The Alliance for Information & Referral Systems (AIRS) offers two certifications for professionals who connect clients with useful community services. To be eligible, master’s trained candidates must also have one year of full-time relevant work experience.

• Certification for Intake and Referral Specialist in Aging/Disabilities (CIRS-A/D) – for professionals who provide assessment, referral, follow-up, and advocacy to clients
• Certification for Resource Specialists (CRS) – for practitioners who research and maintain databases of community resources

The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) offers two credentials for vocational rehabilitation counselors:

• Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) – selects and trains appropriate technologies to meet consumers’ needs. Counselors must have 1,000 hours of work experience in order to sit for the exam.
• Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) – candidates must first be certified as ATPs and must have 1,000 hours of experience in seating and mobility