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Requirements for Certification as a Private Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

The Worker’s Compensation Division of DWD certifies individual private sector Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists to provide return to work services for those Worker’s Compensation claimants who are eligible for DVR services but are placed on a waiting list. Once certified each specialist must be ready to provide services to claimants. Each specialist is free to decline to work with an individual claimant if the specialist does not believe appropriate services can be provided to the claimant.

To be certified:

1. Standard Certification.
    
   
   1. The private sector vocational rehabilitation specialist must have a CRC, CDMS, CVE or the Wisconsin Professional Counselor License. Copies of certifications and licenses must be submitted with the application.
       
   2. The specialist must have experience in the following areas:  analysis of vocational skills and work experiences, job development and placement and retraining plan development. (These experiences should have been gained through work with persons who have disabilities, but may include homeless, veterans, displaced homemakers, disadvantaged or refugees.)
       
2. Probationary certification for 2 years: Types and criteria.
    
   1. The private sector specialist may possess comparable certifications which will be considered by the certifying unit.
      1. Evidence of comparable credentials such as CCM, CICSW and a description of the qualifying criteria must be submitted with the application, and
      2. The specialist must have a minimum of 2 years experience in providing the following vocational services;
         1. analysis of vocational skills and work experiences
         2. job development and job placement
         3. retraining plan development; and
      3. Three (3) work related references.
         
   2. The private sector specialist does not have the requested certifications or license but has the following:
      1. Five (5) years demonstrated experience providing the following vocational services.
         1. analysis of vocational skills and work experiences
         2. job development and job placement
         3. retraining plan development
      2. Three (3) vocational rehabilitation related references
          
   3. When there is a geographical area with less than 5 specialists available, a probationary certification may be approved if a specialist meets both of the following criteria:
      1. Three (3) years demonstrated experience providing the following vocational services.
         1. analysis of vocational skills and work experiences
         2. job development and job placement
         3. retraining plan development