CRC: Certified Rehabiliation Counselor
What is a Rehabilitation Counselor?
Rehabilitation Counselors help people deal with the personal, social, and vocational effects of disabilities. They counsel people with both physical and emotional disabilities resulting from birth defects, illness or disease, accidents, substance abuse or other causes. They evaluate the strengths and limitations of individuals, provide personal and vocational counseling, offer case management support, and arrange for medical care, vocational training, and job placement.
Rehabilitation Counselors interview both individuals with disabilities and their families, evaluate school and medical reports, and confer with physicians, psychologists, employers, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists to determine the capabilities and skills of the individual. They develop individual rehabilitation programs by conferring with the client. These programs often include training to help individuals develop job skills, become employed, and provide opportunities for community integration.
Rehabilitation Counselors are trained to recognize and to help lessen environmental and attitudinal barriers. Such help may include providing education, and advocacy services to individuals, families, employers, and others in the community.
Rehabilitation Counselors work toward increasing the person’s capacity to live independently by facilitating and coordinating with other service providers.
Information obtained from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011 Edition
Rehabilitation Counselors interview both individuals with disabilities and their families, evaluate school and medical reports, and confer with physicians, psychologists, employers, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists to determine the capabilities and skills of the individual. They develop individual rehabilitation programs by conferring with the client. These programs often include training to help individuals develop job skills, become employed, and provide opportunities for community integration.
Rehabilitation Counselors are trained to recognize and to help lessen environmental and attitudinal barriers. Such help may include providing education, and advocacy services to individuals, families, employers, and others in the community.
Rehabilitation Counselors work toward increasing the person’s capacity to live independently by facilitating and coordinating with other service providers.
Information obtained from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011 Edition
Why Obtain a CRC?
Not All Certifications are Alike
The CRC Difference
The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) sets the standard for quality rehabilitation counseling services in the United States and Canada. As an independent, not-for-profit organization, the CRCC has certified more than 35,000 counselors with its widely recognized Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) designation.
From time-to-time, organizations surface that may not adhere to the same standards as other well-respected organizations, such as the CRCC. This is because certification, as opposed to state licensure, is a voluntary process that is not government regulated.
From time-to-time, organizations surface that may not adhere to the same standards as other well-respected organizations, such as the CRCC. This is because certification, as opposed to state licensure, is a voluntary process that is not government regulated.
Major distinctions of CRC certification are:
- National Accreditation: The CRCC holds long-standing accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- Eligibility Requirements: CRCC has established specific eligibility requirements for certification, such as advanced education and work experience. Eligibility categories are based on research into current practices and requirements in the field.
- Competency Standards: A passing score on the CRC certification exam ensures that applicants meet nationally-accepted, key competency standards based on current practice in the field. Research is conducted at regular intervals to ensure the ongoing validity of the exam.
- Code of Ethics: CRCs are required to adhere to the CRCC’s Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors as overseen by the CRCC Ethics Committee.
- Skill Development: CRCC requires that individuals renew their certification every five years by documenting the accrual of at least 100 clock hours of continuing education or by re-examination.
- Current Practices: The CRCC is committed to the continuous improvement and updating of the research which forms the foundation of the CRC examination, as well as the techniques used to validate the exam through its administration. The certification process is built upon 40 years of empirical research of the competencies and job functions that are vital to the counselor's performance.
- Written Policies: The CRCC has clearly stated policies and procedures regarding all aspects of its certification process as outlined in the CRC Certification Guide.
Advantages of CRC Certification
For the professional rehabilitation counselor, CRC certification:
- Establishes a professional identity,
- Establishes a minimum level of knowledge and a continuous upgrading of skills,
- Promulgates a code of ethical practice,
- Provides a review process of published standards of practice,
- Promotes ongoing role and function studies to validate their practice,
- Provides employers and clients with a recognizable point of difference,
- Is required by many state agencies, and
- Can lead to faster career and salary advancement.
- National Accreditation: The CRCC holds long-standing accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- Eligibility Requirements: CRCC has established specific eligibility requirements for certification, such as advanced education and work experience. Eligibility categories are based on research into current practices and requirements in the field.
- Competency Standards: A passing score on the CRC certification exam ensures that applicants meet nationally-accepted, key competency standards based on current practice in the field. Research is conducted at regular intervals to ensure the ongoing validity of the exam.
- Code of Ethics: CRCs are required to adhere to the CRCC’s Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors as overseen by the CRCC Ethics Committee.
- Skill Development: CRCC requires that individuals renew their certification every five years by documenting the accrual of at least 100 clock hours of continuing education or by re-examination.
- Current Practices: The CRCC is committed to the continuous improvement and updating of the research which forms the foundation of the CRC examination, as well as the techniques used to validate the exam through its administration. The certification process is built upon 40 years of empirical research of the competencies and job functions that are vital to the counselor's performance.
- Written Policies: The CRCC has clearly stated policies and procedures regarding all aspects of its certification process as outlined in the CRC Certification Guide.
Advantages of CRC Certification
For the professional rehabilitation counselor, CRC certification:
- Establishes a professional identity,
- Establishes a minimum level of knowledge and a continuous upgrading of skills,
- Promulgates a code of ethical practice,
- Provides a review process of published standards of practice,
- Promotes ongoing role and function studies to validate their practice,
- Provides employers and clients with a recognizable point of difference,
- Is required by many state agencies, and
- Can lead to faster career and salary advancement.
AVRASA
Mailing Address: 1461-A First Avenue #131 New York, NY 10075
Telephone: (212) 252-2378 Email: [email protected]
"Special thanks to our members, and affiliates for their on-going support; we appreciate you!"
Mailing Address: 1461-A First Avenue #131 New York, NY 10075
Telephone: (212) 252-2378 Email: [email protected]
"Special thanks to our members, and affiliates for their on-going support; we appreciate you!"