How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor
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Rehabilitation counselors play a vital role in helping people with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities live more independent lives. They offer counseling to help clients overcome obstacles to meet personal, career, or academic goals. Learn more about rehabilitation counselors, what they do, and how to become one.
What Is a Rehabilitation Counselor?
Rehabilitation counselors counsel clients and act as their advocates, helping both the client’s school and employer create an environment where people with different abilities can succeed.
Rehabilitation counselors generally have a master’s degree, but each state has its own regulations and requirements. In some states, a license may not be required for rehabilitation counselors who provide only vocational rehabilitation services or job placement assistance.
Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings. They may work in community settings, government agencies, nursing and residential care settings, or hospitals and healthcare systems. As a rehabilitation counselor, you may specialize in a particular type of client or age group, such as children, teens, or veterans.
How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor
While requirements vary by state and by responsibility level, most rehabilitation counselors have a master’s degree and earn their license through a combination of education, experience, and passing a national examination.
- 1
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies or a Related Field
You can earn a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and disability studies or a related field, such as psychology or other social science.
- 2
Earn an Accredited Graduate Degree in Counseling or a Related Field
Most graduate degrees in rehabilitation counseling require approximately 60 hours and take two years to complete. They include fieldwork, during which you will observe and work with licensed rehabilitation counselors. Most states require that a rehabilitation counselor graduate from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
- 3
Complete Post-Graduate Supervised Experience
Depending on your state, you may need to complete supervised experience, typically 2,000-4,000 hours (approximately one to two years), to earn a rehabilitation counselor license. In most states, your supervisor must be a licensed rehabilitation counselor or other licensed counselor.
- 4
Pass the National Counseling Examination
After gaining experience, you may wish to take the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) national examination and become a certified rehabilitation counselor. Employers may prefer or require this certification, even if your state does not require it for licensing.
Rehabilitation Counselor Licensure
Each state has different regulations for rehabilitation counselors. In some states, vocational or job placement counseling does not require a license, while others require you to pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) to obtain licensure. Be sure to check your local state or the state where you want to practice for details and the scope of practice.
The requirements to maintain your rehabilitation counselor license also vary by state. You must complete continuing education and apply to renew your license every two or three years. While rehabilitation counselor licenses do not transfer across states, you may be eligible for licensure by endorsement if you move. This means you must demonstrate that you meet the new state’s requirements rather than applying from the beginning.
Rehabilitation Counselor Outlook and Salaries
Because the education and licensing requirements for rehabilitation counselors vary across states, your earning potential as a rehabilitation counselor may differ.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median rehabilitation counselor salary in the U.S. is $44,040, below the $48,060 median salary for all occupations. Nationally, 80% of rehabilitation counselors earn between $31,390 and $73,710. The BLS projects that rehabilitation counselor jobs will grow approximately 2% between 2022 and 2032, about the average rate across all jobs.
Salaries for rehabilitation counselors are highest in Alaska, where the average annual salary is $69,370, Maine ($67,190), the District of Columbia ($66,120), Rhode Island ($62,820), and North Dakota ($57,730).
You can expect to increase your salary with experience. Payscale reports that rehabilitation counselors with 20 or more years of experience earn an average of $64,094, compared to $41,271 for entry-level staff as of January 2024.
| Annual Salary Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10% | $31,390 |
| 25% | $36,440 |
| Median (50%) | $44,040 |
| 75% | $56,610 |
| 90% | $73,710 |
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor
While the average salary for rehabilitation counselors is lower than average, many professionals report high personal fulfillment. However, if you enjoy helping people live independent lives and fulfill their goals, you may find this to be a rewarding career.
