FAQ

Computer-based testing and issuance of score reports to candidates at the test site make the CRC certification examination attractive to universities wishing to use it as their comprehensive examination in rehabilitation counseling. Scores are provided to candidates at the test site following completion of the exam, making them available in plenty of time for graduation in most cases. Learn More.

If you are considering use of the CRC Exam as your program’s comprehensive exam, here are some fast facts to consider:

• Students must apply for the CRC certification in accordance with the process described in detail in the CRC Certification Guide. The exam cannot be used as a comprehensive exam independent of the CRC certification process.
• There is no additional charge to the student or to the university.
• In the event a student does not achieve a passing score, the student would not be able to re-take the exam until the next test administration. Alternatives for students may need to be available.

CRCC offers a pre-review of transcripts for people interested in applying under Category 3. There is a $75 review fee charged for this service. We recommend that you review the information in the CRC Certification Guide in order to make a reasonable self-assessment as to your eligibility before choosing to submit an application. The Guide contains a listing of the various eligibility categories along with definitions for the body of knowledge required when CRCC determines your eligibility. The acceptable forms of experience are also described in the guide.

Log in to your CRCC account. Locate the My CRCC Links on the right side of your account page. Click the Buy Replacement Certificate link. Follow the prompts to submit your request and payment information.

You can print a receipt from your account. Log in to your CRCC account. Locate the My CRCC Links on the right side of your account page. Click the My Invoices link. Click the invoice you would like to print.

Required forms need to be accessed from the Forms & Fees page. Once you have completed the forms, you will need to upload the required forms in the online application.

Applicants are encouraged to access and complete forms well in advance of submitting an application.

If an application does not include all required information or documentation, it will be considered incomplete and eligibility will not be able to be determined. Your eligibility determination will be delayed pending complete information, which will delay your ability to test in the testing cycle for which you applied. Using the e-mail address you provided in your account profile, CRCC will notify the applicant of missing information and documentation.

An official transcript indicating the granting of your degree must be provided to CRCC after you have graduated. Transcripts can be e-mailed to CRCC at transcripts@crccertification.com. Candidates who have obtained a passing score on the CRC Exam will be awarded the CRC once CRCC receives your official transcript.

Requests for accommodations must be made at the time of application. All requests for exam accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis without penalty. The candidate must complete the Exam Accommodation Request Form and submit it in conjunction with documentation as outlined in the CRC Certification Guide.

The exam consists of 175 (150 scored and 25 unscored pretest items) multiple-choice questions administered during an allotted three-and-a-half hours. Candidates should set aside four hours, which includes time for check-in, instructions, and a required post-exam survey.

The short answer is yes, the CRC Exam is difficult. But it has good reasons for being difficult—it is meant to verify you have the minimum competencies to be a CRC. That said, it isn’t necessarily as difficult as its low pass rates imply. There are multiple factors that influence the CRC Exam pass rates.

Focus on what the question is asking

Read the question stem first, then go back and read the rest of the information provided to pull out what is needed. Don’t focus on all of the data that a question may provide until after you determined what the actual question is. This will help you filter out misleading information and save you valuable test-taking time.

Read all of the answer choices carefully

Sometimes a question will have multiple answers that could be argued to be correct. Remember, you’re always looking for the answer choice that best answers the question.

In addition, sometimes reading the answer choices can clue you in to what the question is asking. If all of the answer choices seem wrong based on your understanding of the question, you should probably reread the question to make sure you’re not missing something.

The CRC exam is administered during an allotted 3 ½ hours. Candidates should set aside four (4) hours, which includes time for check-in, instructions (tutorial) and a brief post exam survey. The exam is divided in two (2) sections Rehabilitation and Disability, and Counseling. It consists of a total of 175 multiple-choice questions without a break in between. The timer/clock displayed in the screen will begin tracking with question one (1) of the examinations and end with question 175. Candidates have 210 minutes to complete the examination questions once the timer/clock begins. After the first section is completed (locked), applicants cannot access this first section of the exam and the system will launch the second section of the exam immediately. Also, once the second section is completed (locked), applicants will be unable to return to any content of the exam.

The examination is scored using a conjunctive scoring model whereby the examination is divided into two parts. One part tests knowledge with regard to counseling and the other part tests knowledge with regard to rehabilitation and disability issues. Candidates must achieve a passing score on both parts in order to pass the examination. Because of the need for security, there are multiple forms of examinations, each containing a different combination of questions. The passing scores cannot be set as specific raw scores, or numbers of questions answered correctly, because some of these forms may be slightly easier or more difficult than others. Therefore, requiring the same raw scores to pass the different forms would not be fair to all examinees.

Yes, your CRC score report will tell you some of your weak areas, so write those topics down. But it won’t be good enough to just study your weak areas because you may have lost points on questions from other topic areas too.

Yes, now that you have a list of review topics, you’ll want to create a study plan for the CRC Exam. This is the same process as discussed in our Student Toolkit—Exam Prep PDF, so we won’t cover it in detail here. Suffice to say, create weekly benchmarks for your review using a calendar and note your actual progress as you study.

NOTE: Be sure to include time for a general review of all topics and an exam rehearsal. Just improving your weak areas is often not enough to pass the CRC Exam next time. Your next CRC Exam will have different questions and will weigh topics differently, so you’ll want to invest some time in reviewing other topic areas. This also serves to improve your mastery of these topics, which will help you score better next time.

Just like when you took the CRC Exam the first time, staying motivated is key to your success.

When you sit for the CRC Exam, use your exam tips and preparation to conquer the CRC Exam and get one step closer to earning your CRC certification.

The online renewal application will become available approximately four months prior to your scheduled renewal. When you log in to CRCCconnect, click the credential in your My Certifications and Renewals section of your account page to begin your renewal application process.

In order to be classified in the ethics focus area, the content of the program must primarily be regarding specific behavior that is related to, preferably, the CRC/CCRC Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors, or, alternatively, the ACA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Appropriate subject matter must primarily relate to rehabilitation counseling and must include one of the following:

• The Counseling Relationship
• Confidentiality, Privileged Communication, and Privacy
• Advocacy and Accessibility
• Multicultural Considerations
• Professional Responsibility
• Relationships with Other Professionals and Employers
• Forensic Services
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Supervision, Training, and Teaching
• Research and Publication
• Technology, Social Media, and Virtual Counseling
• Business Practices
• Resolving Ethical Issues

Any continuing education activity that satisfies a focus area described in the CRC/CCRC Criteria for Certification Renewal and Continuing Education Manual or CVE/CWA/CCAA Criteria for Certification Renewal and Continuing Education Manual can be submitted for approval on a post-attendance basis. To claim these CE credits, click the My CE Report link in the My CRCC Links on your account page. Enter the activity, the date, and amount and type of credit. Upload the required documentation. You must pay a review fee before this continuing education can be added to your CE transcript.