Certification and Licensure

Certification

Graduates of the Masters of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) program are eligible, academically, to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC). The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) was chartered in 1971, and governs the certification of individuals who wish to provide counseling and related services to individuals with disabilities and their significant others. In 1974, the CRCC recognized the first Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. The CRCC has now recognized over 30,000 Certified Rehabilitation Counselors.

MRC graduates are encouraged to become CRC's for the following four reasons:

First, being a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) informs the consumer/client that the rehabilitation professional has met a national competency standard regarding the provision of counseling and related services to individuals with disabilities.

Second, CRC certification provides the MRC graduate with a professional identity. The CRC is a professional who provides rehabilitation counseling and related services to individuals with disabilities and their significant others.

Third, CRC certification ensures State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Service consumers that their counselors are qualified rehabilitation counselors.

Fourth, CRC certification informs employers that its rehabilitation professional employees have met a national competency level regarding the provision of counseling and related services to individuals with disabilities and their significant others.

 

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Examination

The CRC examination is research-driven exam requiring a "day" of testing. The examination consists of 300 multiple-choice questions (150 questions completed in a morning session, and 150 in an afternoon session). Fifty of the 300 questions are "field test" questions and are not used to determine pass/fail status. Examinees must earn a passing score on both general and disability-specific content areas. The CRC examination reflects the academic standards required by CORE for program accreditation, as well as the individual competencies required by the CRCC for individual recognition as a rehabilitation counseling professional.

Counselor Licensure

In 1979, the State of Arkansas became the second state in the nation to regulate the counseling profession. At that time, the States Board of Examiners in Counseling (Board) recognized its citizens with disabilities and their significant others needed access to counselors whose academic preparation included addressing, in particular, the medical, psychosocial, and vocational impact of disability. The Board recognized people with disabilities and their significant others via its "Rehabilitation Counseling" specialty area designation. In the State of Arkansas, only Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) are entitled to identify themselves as licensed counselors with the academic preparation to work with individuals with disabilities and their significant others.

MRC graduates, who complete the Board's academic requirements, are eligible, academically, to become Licensed Associate Counselors (LAC) in the State of Arkansas. The Board's academic requirements include obtaining 60 graduate credit hours in designated academic content (see, Curriculum). After completing LAC requirements, individuals can apply for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) status.

MRC graduates who wish to provide counseling services to individuals with disabilities are encouraged to seek counselor licensure in the State of Arkansas for the following three reasons:

First, licensure informs the consumer/client that his/her rehabilitation counselor has met the State of Arkansas' standard academic preparation level.

Second, counselor licensure provides the MRC graduate with a professional identity as a counselor/therapist. MRC graduates who are committed to providing counseling and related services to individuals with disabilities and their significant others must provide the Board with verification that they are Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC).

Third, licensure informs employers that the counselor/therapist has met the State's competency level regarding the provision of counseling services. Additionally, the "Rehabilitation Counseling" specialty license informs employers that the counselor/therapist has met the national competency standard to provide counseling and related services to individuals with disabilities and their significant others.

 

State of Arkansas - Licensed Association Counselor (LAC) / Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (Board) governs the licensure of counselors/therapists in the State of Arkansas. In Arkansas, licensure is a two-step process. An individual enters as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). The LAC applies for Licensed Professional Licensure (LPC) after completing his/her LAC requirements.

The Board requires that individuals complete a written examination and an oral examination.

Written examination - LAC applicants must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE). The NCE is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The content of the NCE focuses on the general practice of counseling. Examinees are presented with 200 multiple-choice questions. The examination time is four hours. Forty of the 200 questions are "field test" questions and are not used to determine pass/fail status.

Oral examination - After passing the NCE exam, LAC applicants must sit for an oral examination administered by the Board. Please contact the Board for additional information.