The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
(CRCC) sets the standard for quality rehabilitation counseling services in the
U.S. and Canada. As an independent,
not-for-profit organization, the CRCC has certified more than 30,000 counselors
with its widely recognized Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and
Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CCRC) designations.
From time-to-time, however, 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.
Before you seek certification in the counseling or
rehabilitation fields, you should ask the following questions:
Is
the organization accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the
National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)?
The CRCC holds long-standing accreditation by the
NCCA. Visit www.noca.org for information about NCCA
requirements for accredited organizations.
Are
there established eligibility requirements for certification that must be met,
such as documenting specific education and work experience?
The CRCC requires that applicants document their compliance
in one of the eligibility categories.
These categories are based on research into current practices and
requirements in the field.
Is
a valid examination offered to measure whether an applicant meets at least the
minimum competency standards, based on current research in the field?
The CRCC requires that applicants pass its examination in
order to become certified. Research is
continued at regular intervals to ensure the validity of the exam.
Are
certified individuals required to periodically renew their certification by
demonstrating that they have continually updated their knowledge?
The CRCC requires that individuals renew their
certification every five years by documenting the accrual of a minimum of 100
clock hours of continuing education or by passing the examination, which is
continually updated based on ongoing research.
Are
certified individuals held accountable for their actions through adherence to a
professional code of ethics or standard of practice?
The CRCC requires that individuals adhere to its Code of
Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors. A grievance process has been established to handle complaints
brought against certified individuals who allegedly have violated the Code.
Are
there written policies and procedures in place to appeal decisions?
The CRCC has clearly stated policies and procedures about
all aspects of its certification process.
These are outlined in the CRC and CCRC Certification Guides.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
(2005). CRCC What You Need to Know About Certification. Retrieved
[date], from http://www.crccertification.com/pages/10certification.html