How to Become a VR

Vocational rehabilitation professionals come from a variety of backgrounds. A recent VRA Canada membership survey indicated that members hold degrees and diplomas in social work, human resources, kinesiology, sociology and even engineering and business, among many others.

If you are interested in becoming a VR professional, there are several pathways to achieve this goal. Depending on the certification you intend to pursue, there is information available on each certification from both VRA Canada and the CVRP.

Below is an overview of the certifications available and the requirements to attain and maintain each, listed under the organization that administers them.

designations within canada

Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP)

100 CEUs over a five-year period
10 of those must be ethics training

Note: Not being issued since January 1, 2018

Registered Community Support Specialist (RCSS)

Diploma in an approved program
Includes six core competencies of assessment approached, disabling conditions and/or disadvantaged groups, interventions and strategies, history and systems, ethics and communication skills
50 CEUs over a five-year period

Registered Vocational Professional (RVP)

Diploma or Degree
Minimum 30 hours of training in the vocational /employment services field
Minimum 500 hours paid or unpaid experience in provision of VR services
50 CEUs over a five-year period

Certifications with cvrp

Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals Transferable Skills Analysis (CVRP TSA)

The College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals is pleased to announce they have developed a pathway for Registrants who do or want to do TSA work.

The College developed a pathway that will evaluate the Registrant’s demonstrated competency while addressing the critical requirement to protect the public. Current CVRP Registrants wanting to do, or continue doing, TSA work must complete the requirements by the end of December 31, 2021.

All future CVRPs wanting to do TSA scope of work after December 31, 2021 must complete the requirements as per the application process.

Effective immediately, any Registrant who is doing or wants to do TSA work can apply to be evaluated.