get certified
CRC certification is the gold standard for rehabilitation counselors. CRCs are in high demand for their expertise in helping individuals reach personal, social, and vocational goals. Certification opens doors to top job opportunities, faster career growth, and higher earning potential. To earn the CRC credential, counselors must complete advanced education, qualifying experience, and pass the CRC Examination.
The CRC Exam is administered three times a year. Testing centers fill up quickly, we encourage you to submit your application prior to the deadline.
2026 Exam Dates and Deadlines
| Registration Opens | Application Deadline | Examination Dates |
| August 16, 2025 | December 15, 2025 | March 9-17, 2026 |
| December 16, 2025 | April 30, 2026 | July 6-14, 2026 |
| May 1, 2026 | August 15, 2026 | October 12-20, 2026 |
Category 1 - Student in or Graduate of a CACREP Accredited Program
The applicant can be a student enrolled in or be a graduate from a master’s-level rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation program accredited by CACREP.
If graduation occurred prior to July 1, 2017, the program must have been accredited by CORE. In addition, the applicant must show evidence of the completion of an internship of 600 hours supervised by an on-site CRC or a faculty member who is a CRC.
See additional requirements in the CRC Certification Guide.
Category 2 - Student in or Graduate of a Non-CACREP Accredited Program
The applicant can be a student enrolled in or be a graduate from a master’s level rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling program that is not or was not accredited by CACREP or CORE.
If graduation occurred prior to July 1, 2017, the program must have been accredited by CORE. In addition, the applicant must show evidence of the completion of an internship of 600 hours supervised by an on-site CRC or a faculty member who is a CRC.
See additional requirements in the CRC Certification Guide.
Category 3 - Graduate of a Masters or Doctoral Program in a Related Field of Study
Candidates interested in applying under Category 3 must have received a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the approved related fields of study:
- Addictions/Substance Abuse Counseling
- Psychology
- School/Guidance Counseling
- Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy
- Mental Health Counseling
- Social Work
- Counselor Education & Supervision-Doctoral Degree
Review all Category 3 Applicant Requirements here and see Section 5 in the CRC Certification Guide.
ADA Accommodations
CRCC requires that candidates requesting ADA accommodations start their application no less than 30 days prior to the application deadline.
*Applicants deemed ineligible to sit for the exam will receive a refund of $75.
** Deferral-only initial applicants are allowed to defer/transfer to the next subsequent exam window.
*** CRCC’s policy requires reexamination to occur in the next exam window after the original examination. Thus applicants who do not achieve a passing score on the certification exam in the (first) initial exam window are allowed to re-take the exam at the next subsequent testing window only. See CRC Certification Guide
for fees.
Candidates testing in any location, whose first language is not English, are permitted to bring a hard copy, strict translation dictionary (word-to-word only) to the exam, which will be inspected by the lead Proctor on-site. This is not an ADA testing accommodation and does not need to be submitted as such.
Application Process
Start your journey to becoming the best rehabilitation counselor you can be. Click on each of the certification steps to learn more about how to take the next big step in your evolution—from qualified, competent rehabilitation counselor to elite, cream-of-the-crop Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
Step 1
SET UP PROFILE ↓
Step 2
Complete APPLICATION ↓
Step 3
FORMS ↓
Step 4
UPLOAD FORMS AND DOCUMENTATION ↓
Step 5
SUBMIT APPLICATION AND PAYMENT ↓
Step 6
GET APPROVED ↓
Step 7
SCHEDULE EXAM ↓
Step 8
PREPARATION & TIPS ↓
Step 9
TAKE EXAM ↓
Step 10
GET YOUR RESULTS ↓
Helpful Links for Applicants
CRC Scope of Practice
The Scope of Practice Statement identifies the knowledge and skills required for effective rehabilitation counseling services.
Benefits of Certification
What can CRC certification do for you, for clients, and for employers?
View the benefits of being a CRC here.
Application Tutorials
CRC Category 1 Student Application Process
For students currently enrolled in a CACREP-accredited rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling graduate program.
CRC Category 1 Graduate Application Process
For people who have already graduated from a CACREP-accredited rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling graduate program OR who graduated, prior to July 1, 2017, from a CORE-accredited rehabilitation counseling graduate program.
CRC Category 2 Student Application Process
For students currently enrolled in a non-CACREP-accredited rehabilitation counseling graduate program.
CRC Category 2 Graduate Application Process
For people who have already graduated from a non-CACREP-accredited rehabilitation counseling graduate program.
CRC Category 3 Application Process – Video Coming Soon
For people who have graduated from a related field of study and have the desire to become a certified rehabilitation counselor.
RESCHEDULE POLICY
To reschedule your exam appointment within the current exam window, you must notify Pearson VUE or access your online Pearson VUE account at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. Please contact Pearson VUE’s customer service if you have questions about this policy.
Failure to reschedule in time or failure to appear for your appointment will result in the forfeiture of your application exam fee.
For further information on the reschedule policy, please refer to the CRC Certification Guide.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel your exam appointment, you must notify Pearson VUE or access your online Pearson VUE account at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. Please contact Pearson VUE’s customer service if you have questions about this policy.
If you do not cancel your appointment 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time, you will forfeit your application exam fee.
For further information please refer to the CRC Certification Guide.
Deferral Policy
Each application only allows for two subsequent exam sittings. Deferrals can only be permitted for the first exam sitting (one time per application) and a deferral fee applies.
If a candidate is unable to sit for their initial exam sitting, they will only be allowed one deferral to the next subsequent exam sitting.
Candidates are responsible for cancelling their appointments with Pearson VUE at least 48 hours in advance, prior to deferring. A candidate must email a screenshot of the CRC exam cancellation to contactus@crccertification.com, then call CRCC staff at 847-944-1325 to defer and pay the deferral fee. Deferral requests will not be processed without proof of cancellation (screenshot) with Pearson VUE.
TEST ACCOMMODATIONS
If you are requesting test accommodations, you must complete the Exam Accommodations Request Form. The request is part of the application process. You’ll need to upload the required supporting documentation in order to submit your online application. Requests for exam accommodations are reviewed by CRCC on a case-by-case basis without penalty. For additional information and exam accommodation requirements, please review the CRCC Certification Guide.
All ADA documentation must be submitted by the application deadline. If not received by the application deadline your accommodation request will not be processed.
eXAM PREPARATION, study tIPS & RESOURCES
Congratulations on making the decision to achieve your certification and demonstrate your commitment to individuals with disabilities! The secret to success is strong preparation. CRCC offers the tools and resources to help you prepare.
eXAM oVERVIEW
The Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Examination tests whether qualified exam candidates have demonstrated a minimum standard of practice. It fairly and accurately evaluates the competencies you need to have to practice as a rehabilitation counselor.
The CRC tests the essential knowledge domains of rehabilitation counseling practices – the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Promote Your Credential
Earning your credential is an important personal and professional achievement that also has the potential to help raise the visibility and global recognition of our profession.
You have a unique opportunity to share this important achievement with others, and in doing so, increase their awareness of both the importance and the value of your credential and the profession you serve.
tRANSCRIPT sUBMISSION
Graduates
Applicants, in all categories, who have graduated must provide an official transcript showing the degree granted and the date of graduation. An official digital transcript can be submitted via e-mail to CRCC: transcripts@crccertification.com
Students
Students applying in Category 1 or Category 2 can complete the application process. Upon graduation, a student must provide an official transcript showing the degree granted and the date of graduation. An official digital transcript can be submitted via e-mail: transcripts@crccertification.com
If a digital version of the transcript is not available, please have the university/college mail the transcript directly to CRCC:
CRCC
1501 Woodfield Road, Suite 105e
Schaumburg, IL 60173
BACKGROUND CHECK
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