Rehabilitation Counselor – Career, Salary & State Licensure
Counseling Schools Search
When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“My advice for aspiring rehabilitation counseling students is to hone in on why you want to become a rehabilitation counselor and hold onto that as your motivation.”
Sarah Roundtree, Program Director and Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC 2024), more than one in four Americans (28.7 percent) is living with a disability. These disabilities can range from physical, to mental, to emotional. About 7.7 percent of Americans struggle to live independently. While some of these disabilities may be life long, many of them onset later on in life.
There are varied health professionals that assist disabled people including doctors, social workers, therapists, and psychologists. However, learning to adapt to day-to-day life with a disability can be incredibly challenging, which is why rehabilitation counselors are essential.
Rehabilitation counselors work with clients with mental, developmental, physical, or psychological disabilities. They provide coaching, counseling, skills training, and advocacy to help their clients live independently, gain employment, and access community resources. Typical places of employment for rehabilitation counselors include government agencies, hospitals, clinics, schools, nonprofits, long-term care facilities, and senior citizen centers.
After graduating from high school, becoming a rehabilitation counselor takes six to 10 years of education and training. All states require rehabilitation counselors to be licensed and have earned at least a bachelor’s degree.
While certification isn’t required in most states, earning a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) is an industry standard and can boost employment opportunities.
Keep reading to learn the specific steps needed to become a rehabilitation counselor and state requirements for licensing.
Meet the Expert: Sarah Michelle Roundtree, PhD
Dr. Sarah Roundtree serves as program director and assistant professor for the clinical rehabilitation counseling Program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Her research and clinical work centers on increasing accessibility of higher education for minoritized students and faculty. Pivotal to her interest in the field are her experiences as a woman with non-apparent disabilities and her brother, who has intellectual and developmental disabilities. These personal experiences, along with over 20 years of working in the disability community on a volunteer and professional basis, have influenced her to support future generations of counselors in working with people with disabilities.
CounselingSchools.com: What would you like the public to understand about rehabilitation health counselors?
Dr. Roundtree: Clinical rehabilitation counselors (CRCs) specialize in working with people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. CRCs serve as advocates in a wide range of settings, including mental health counseling, career counseling, case management, and more.
I often hear that people are unaware that rehabilitation counseling exists. In a world that still has a lot of stigma around disability, I think it’s so important for us to let people know of the services we have available, and remind folks that there are counselors out there who understand your lived experience and are here to support you.
CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring rehabilitation counseling students?
Dr. Roundtree: My advice for aspiring rehabilitation counseling students is to hone in on why you want to become a rehabilitation counselor and hold onto that as your motivation. Many people become CRCs because of personal or familial experience with disability, and we love to hear that! Disability representation and allyship is so important in counseling settings, and we need your expertise and drive. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be yourself, and seek support when you need it. The right program will want that for you too!
How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor
Step 1: Graduate from High School or Complete a GED (Four Years)
Completing high school or obtaining a GED is the first step toward becoming a rehabilitation counselor. Students who wish to pursue this career should focus on psychology, biology, math, and English classes. Taking advanced placement (AP) classes and the associated exams can earn students college credits before graduating high school, which can reduce the number of credits needed for their undergraduate degree.
Step 2: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree (Four Years)
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is necessary to become a rehabilitation counselor, as it is required by most master’s programs. While students can major in various fields, the most common degrees are in disability services, counseling, psychology, social sciences, and rehabilitation counseling. Students should complete internships or volunteer experiences in rehabilitation counseling to give them experience in the field and strengthen their graduate school applications.
Step 3: Complete a Master’s Degree (One to Three Years)
A graduate degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field is typically required for this career. Programs are offered online and on-campus, allowing students the flexibility to choose how they will complete their education.
To earn CRC certification and state licensing, students must attend either a regionally accredited institution or one that is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program must include a 600-hour internship, of which 240 hours must be direct client contact.
Step 4: Pass the CRC Exam (Timeline Varies)
To be a certified rehabilitation counselor, prospective professionals must pass the CRC exam. This exam is administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) and costs a fee. The test is offered three times a year in March, July, and October.
Candidates will have three-and-a-half hours to answer 175 multiple-choice questions in 12 knowledge domains of rehabilitation counseling. An immediate pass or fail is given upon completion of the test, with a more detailed score report to follow a few weeks post-exam.
Step 5: Complete State Required Supervised Work Experience (One to Four Years)
All states require rehabilitation counselors to be licensed and complete supervised work experience. The number of hours of experience varies by state, but it can be as low as 2,000 hours or as high as 6,000. Additional education beyond a master’s degree can often reduce the required hours. Some states require counselors to have an associate or intern license while obtaining these hours, while others do not.
Step 6: Attain Licensure (Timelines Varies)
Most states require rehabilitation counselors to earn the same license as a licensed professional counselor, although there are a few states that have separate rehabilitation counselor licenses. Not all states accept the CRC exam for licensure, so it may be necessary to take another national counseling exam and any required state jurisprudence exams.
Step 7: Maintain Certification and Licensure (Timelines Varies)
Each state has its own requirements for maintaining counseling licenses. Requirements typically include an application, an application fee, and completing continuing education hours. To maintain CRC certification, holders must renew every five years. Requirements to renew include completing 100 hours of continuing education or retaking the CRC exam.
Licensing & Certification Requirements By State for Rehabilitation Counselors
| State | Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | State Board For Mental Health Practitioners Office of the Professions | Rehabilitation counselors in New York must earn a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) license. Candidates who meet all the LMHC requirements (except the supervised work experience) may apply for a Limited Permit, which is valid for two years and allows the holder to work under supervision. Candidates for LMHC licensure must:
|
New York requires LMHCs to renew their licenses every three years. To renew, counselors are required to submit an application, a fee, and 36 hours of continuing education units. No more than 12 of those hours may consist of self-study educational activities. |
What Do Rehabilitation Counselors Do?
Certified rehabilitation counselors work in clinics, doctor’s offices, youth organizations, hospitals, community centers, government agencies, schools, and nonprofits providing services to disabled individuals. Responsibilities vary based on place of employment but typical job duties include:
- Meeting with clients to understand their disability
- Setting goals with clients for independence
- Writing treatment plans based on goals
- Providing counseling to help clients adapt to their disabilities
- Consulting with clients’ other healthcare workers such as psychologists, caseworkers, and physical therapists
- Advocating for clients with housing services, employers, and other agencies
- Assisting clients to access services such as government assistance, therapy, and skill training
- Assessing the client’s progress towards goals
- Maintaining client records
- Educating employers about the client’s disability and rights
How Much Do Rehabilitation Counselors Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024), rehabilitation counselors earn on average $51,260 per year. Wages vary based on experience, level of education, and place of employment. The percentiles for national wages were:
- 10th percentile: $34,480
- 25th percentile: $38,700
- 50th percentile (median): $46,110
- 75th percentile: $59,040
- 90th percentile: $77,200
Rehabilitation Counselor Professional Associations & Resources
- The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)
- National Rehabilitation Association (NRA)
- The American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA)
- The National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE)
- National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM)
- The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
- National Council on Disability (NCD)
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.