If you need help studying for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free CRC practice test!
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the CRC exam, you’ll have to meet at least ONE of the requirements below:
- You need to graduate from a CACREP-accredited program (or be currently enrolled)
- You need to graduate from a master’s-level rehabilitation counseling course from a non-CACREP-accredited college or university.
- You need to be at least a master’s-level graduate of a program in a related field.
If you meet one of these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 175 multiple-choice questions total, but only 150 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 25 unscored questions on the exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The time limit for the exam is 3.5 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the exam.
1. Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
10.7% of the exam
- Maintain ethical standards in rehabilitation counseling and effectively manage professional risk
- Interpret and implement relevant laws and public policies impacting individuals with disabilities
- Promote cultural competence and deliver services that address multicultural counseling needs
- Use appropriate rehabilitation terminology and apply key concepts accurately
- Recognize distinct professional roles and collaborate effectively with other providers and specialists
- Navigate credentialing processes in rehabilitation counseling and advocate for necessary improvements
- Analyze various organizational models within rehabilitation counseling settings
- Integrate historical and philosophical perspectives into rehabilitation counseling practice
2. Counseling Theories, Techniques, and Evidence-Based Practices
11.3% of the exam
- Apply clinical reasoning and critical thinking in problem-solving
- Use rehabilitation strategies tailored to individuals with disabilities
- Analyze and apply theories of individual counseling
- Implement practices and interventions used in individual counseling
- Identify and address issues related to substance use and treatment
- Build and sustain effective working relationships with clients
- Understand and manage dual diagnoses and co-occurring disorders
- Provide counseling and training to support workplace social skills
- Practice motivational interviewing techniques effectively
- Develop and implement treatment plans for mental health conditions
- Examine stages and principles of human growth and development
- Use evidence-based approaches in psychosocial and psychiatric rehabilitation
- Integrate evidence-based vocational strategies into rehabilitation counseling
- Deliver or support counseling and therapy based on clinical evidence for mental health
- Deliver or support counseling and therapy for individuals with substance use issues
- Explore and apply supervision theories and methods in clinical settings
- Identify and use evidence-based and research-supported counseling practices
3. Group and Family Counseling
4.7% of the exam
- Analyze foundational theories in family counseling
- Apply practices and interventions used in family counseling
- Explore key concepts and theories in group counseling
- Implement effective group counseling strategies and techniques
4. Crisis and Trauma Counseling and Interventions
6% of the exam
- Assess client risk and create a safety plan
- Deliver rehabilitation counseling services for individuals with polytrauma injuries
- Evaluate the effects of crises, disasters, and trauma on individuals with disabilities
- Apply crisis intervention strategies for people with disabilities during traumatic events
- Understand how emergency management systems function in agencies and communities
5. Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Chronic Illness and Disability
9.3% of the exam
- Assess the psychosocial and cultural effects of disability
- Understand and use medical terminology accurately
- Apply medical knowledge to understand the impact of various disabilities
- Examine how medications affect individuals with disabilities
- Identify and reduce environmental and attitudinal barriers for people with disabilities
6. Assessment/Evaluation, Occupational Analysis, and Service Implementation
10.7% of the exam
- Analyze how functional limitations impact vocational potential
- Locate and evaluate resources used in the assessment process
- Conduct or refer clients for informal assessments
- Conduct or refer clients for formal assessments
- Conduct or refer clients for transferable skills analysis
- Interpret assessment data to support rehabilitation planning
- Conduct job analysis for career planning and placement
- Evaluate ergonomic needs, job accommodations, and assistive technologies
- Recommend strategies for job modification and restructuring
- Analyze labor market trends and opportunities
- Utilize computer-based systems for job matching
7. Career Development and Job Placement
9.3% of the exam
- Apply strategies for career development and job placement
- Develop and apply skills for job readiness, seeking, and retention
- Address the specific job placement needs of specialized populations
- Use relationship-building techniques with employers to support job placement
- Identify evidence-based employment services for individuals with significant disabilities
- Support individuals with dual diagnoses by applying workplace strategies
- Apply theories of career development and work adjustment
- Facilitate appropriate use of work conditioning and work hardening resources
- Evaluate the benefits and risks of using social media for networking
8. Business Engagement
7.6% of the exam
- Support employers in providing job accommodations for employees with disabilities
- Offer consultation and training to businesses on disability concepts, laws, and best practices
- Collaborate with businesses to address hiring and retention challenges for individuals with disabilities
- Apply business-oriented strategies and terminology to enhance employment outcomes for people with disabilities
- Help employers build pathways for hiring people with disabilities through work-based learning
- Understand the dual customer role of serving both employers and individuals with disabilities
9. Community Resources and Partnerships
8% of the exam
- Identify programs and services for specific and underserved populations
- Understand Social Security benefits, work incentives, and disincentives
- Recognize funding sources and community resources for rehabilitation services
- Facilitate skills training and promote independent living services
- Deliver financial literacy education to support client independence
- Refer clients to appropriate services through advocacy programs
- Collaborate with career centers and community partners to support employment
- Support and guide life care planning and related services
- Promote community inclusion through partnerships and advocacy
- Provide counseling on how employment affects access to services and benefits
10. Case Management
10% of the exam
- Apply the case management process in professional practice
- Complete accurate and thorough case documentation
- Use negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution strategies effectively
- Apply caseload management principles to ensure effective service delivery
- Identify and address institutional and social barriers to client success
- Use communication strategies for individuals with limited English proficiency
- Apply biopsychosocial models and documentation methods for case planning
11. Healthcare and Disability Management
5% of the exam
- Identify and recommend appropriate medical intervention resources
- Understand healthcare benefits, delivery systems, and their impact on people with disabilities
- Collaborate with wellness providers to support individuals with chronic illness and disability
- Explain various insurance programs including public, private, and disability coverage
- Apply strategies for disability prevention and management
- Understand differences in workers’ compensation laws and procedures
12. Research, Methodology, and Performance Management
5.3% of the exam
- Understand statistical and psychometric principles used in measurement
- Apply research methods and data analysis techniques
- Evaluate research literature relevant to evidence-based practice
- Understand organizational development and stakeholder management concepts
- Use program evaluation methods to measure rehabilitation service outcomes
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam.
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application on CRCC’s website. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things).
When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the testing fee, which is $420.
CRC Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The exam is scored using two methods: the Angoff method and scaled scoring.
Here’s how they work:
The Angoff Method
A group of subject-matter experts take an educated guess at the percentage of candidates who would correctly answer each question on the test. These estimates are then averaged to set a cut-off score, which test-takers must meet or exceed to pass. This method aims to ensure the pass threshold reflects the level of knowledge or skill that is deemed minimally acceptable for a particular profession or field.
Scaled Scoring
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the exam is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test during the next available testing window.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay a $250 re-testing fee every time you retake the test.
FAQs
How many questions are on the CRC exam?
The exam contains 175 questions.
What is the time limit for the CRC exam?
The exam is timed at 3.5 hours.
What is the pass rate for the CRC exam?
The current pass rate for the CRC exam is 56%.
How much does the CRC exam cost?
The testing fee is $420.