How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor
- Complete a bachelor’s degree in a rehabilitation and disability studies, behavioral, social science, or psychology field
- Earn a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling
- Complete graduate and postgraduate internship experience for certification/licensure requirements
- Pass any required rehabilitation counseling exams for licensure and certification
- Apply for and earn additional counseling certifications
- Continue your education and stay up to date on rehabilitation counseling trends and changes
Although sometimes mistaken for addiction professionals, rehabilitation counselors may earn the voluntary Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) and work with people with disabilities in settings that can include counseling, case management, vocational planning, and independent living services. Rehabilitation counselors may provide a wide range of services, including assessment, case management, program research, interventions to remove environmental barriers, job analysis and development, and consultation services with other agencies.
Some counselors in the rehabilitation field are referred to as vocational. These counselors focus on employment, career development, and workplace supports for people with disabilities, often including transition-age students and adults. Other populations that may seek rehabilitation counseling include students transitioning from school to work, veterans, and older adults as they adapt to changes in their lifestyles.
Northwestern University • Evanston, IL
Master of Arts in Counseling
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 18 months
Credits
60
Admission Requirements
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
- Supplemental essay
- Recent photo
New York University • New York, NY
master of arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 21 months
Credits
60
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Statement of purpose
- Current resume
- Transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
What does a Rehabilitation Counselor do?
Counselors in rehabilitation perform a wide array of activities and assume various responsibilities. Differing from a mental health counselor, rehabilitation professionals work with clients who have physical, emotional, developmental, or mental disabilities in creating a plan that fits their level of education, aptitude, physical abilities, and career goals.
Often collaborating with other social service and mental health professionals, rehabilitation counselors also address barriers to employment, engage in job development and placement programs, and arrange for evaluations of physical, mental, academic, and vocational needs. CRCC describes rehabilitation counselors as professionals who help people with disabilities pursue personal, career, and independent living goals through specialized counseling and rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation counselors may use counseling interventions in individual or group settings, but the scope of practice depends on the role, setting, employer, and state law.
A bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and disability studies, psychology, social work, or a related field can provide a strong foundation for graduate study in rehabilitation counseling or a related counseling specialty. Coursework for undergraduate studies in rehabilitation and disability studies may include the evaluation of human development, counseling foundation, theories of personality, assessments, and/or vocational evaluations.
There are many CACREP-accredited universities that offer studies specifically in rehabilitation counseling. A master’s degree is commonly required for CRC certification and for many counseling licenses, but exact degree, coursework, and specialty requirements vary by credential and state.
As a crucial aspect of accredited master’s programs in counseling, supervised graduate counseling experience provides students with insight into their future role as licensed professional counselors and hands-on experience under other professional counselors. Post-master’s supervised experience requirements vary by state, so readers should verify required hours, supervision, and exam rules with the state counseling board for the state where they plan to practice.
To become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), candidates must meet CRCC’s eligibility requirements and pass the CRC Examination. If they also plan to pursue state counselor licensure, they may need to pass a separate state licensure exam—most commonly the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Because licensure rules vary by state, licensure exam requirements should always be confirmed with the relevant state licensing board.
Licensed counselors may also pursue voluntary national credentials through NBCC. CRC certification is a separate professional certification specific to rehabilitation counseling, and employer expectations vary by role and setting.
Continuing education is imperative for maintaining professional counseling licensure/certification and keeping up to date with changes and updates in the rehabilitation, vocational, and career counseling fields. CRCs must complete 100 hours of continuing education, including at least 10 hours in ethics, within each five-year renewal period.
Master of Arts in Psychology
The online Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program from Pepperdine University educates students to work directly with individuals, couples, and families in need of therapeutic services. Students are prepared for licensure in California as licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) or licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC).
- Open to all undergrad majors
- No GRE required
- Can be completed in about 18 months
What are the certification and licensure requirements?
Similar to other counseling careers, certification and licensure requirements vary from state to state. Some employers prefer or require the CRC credential, but certification and state licensure are different credentials with different purposes.
When a rehabilitation counseling role requires state counselor licensure, applicants must meet the state board’s education, supervised experience, and examination requirements; these requirements vary by state.
Career Outlook for Rehabilitation Counselors
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for Rehabilitation Counselors, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2024, rehabilitation counselors earned a mean annual wage of $51,260, with California, Massachusetts, Ohio, Washington, and Illinois employing the most rehabilitation counselors.
Most Common Places of Employment of Rehabilitation Counselors:
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- Individual and Family Services
- State Government
The BLS (May 2024) also reports that some top-paying metropolitan areas that offer more than $65,000 are New Orleans, Anchorage, Reno, Killeen-Temple, Portland, and New Haven.
Information last updated: March 2026