Section 850.11 - Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor(a) The Vocational Rehabilitation Division (VRD) develops and maintains a Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD). This system includes procedures to ensure VRD maintains an adequate supply of qualified personnel, referred to as Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (QVRCs).(b) To classify as a QVRC, staff must meet specific state requirements related to education and experience. Standards for QVRCs serve as an internal control to ensure staff are sufficiently trained and prepared to effectively serve Texans with disabilities.(c) VR counselors are considered qualified to perform non-delegable duties upon meeting the minimum initial standards for hire, successful completion of required training, and an initial probationary period that allows demonstration of performance. The minimum initial standards for hire are aligned with 34 CFR § 361.18(c)(1)(ii)(A) and the State of Texas VR Counselor Classification Schedule.(d) Minimum initial standards for hire as a VR counselor include the following education and experience requirements: (1) A bachelor's degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, to indicate a level of competency and skill demonstrating basic preparation in a field of study such as vocational rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, business administration, human resources, special education, supported employment, customized employment, economics, or another field that reasonably prepares individuals to work with customers and employers; and(2) Demonstrated paid or unpaid experience, for not less than one year, consisting of:(A) Direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center;(B) Direct service or advocacy activities that provide such individual with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities; or(C) Direct experience in competitive integrated employment environments as an employer, as a small business owner or operator, or in self-employment, or other experience in human resources or recruitment, or experience in supervising employees, training, or other activities.(e) Within seven years from completion of the initial training year, a VR counselor is expected to achieve one or more of the following graduate education requirements: (1) A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling;(2) A master's degree in counseling or a counseling-related field with required completion of specified coursework identified by the VR division;(3) A master's, specialist, or doctoral degree in specific majors with required specified coursework identified by the Agency's VR division;(4) A current certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) certificate from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC); or(5) Current licensure for a licensed professional counselor (LPC).(f) VRD must conduct transcript reviews and/or confirm certifications to determine compliance with standards or to outline coursework to be completed by the VR counselor to meet graduate education requirements.(g) VRD helps VR counselors to advance as QVRCs by making funds available through the Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (QVRC) program for the required graduate education except when: (1) unforeseen circumstances occur that may restrict or prohibit the funding; or(2) VRD management discontinues a VR counselor's participation in the program in the best interests of VRD.(h) The VRD director or designee must approve QVRC financial assistance. This financial assistance is contingent on: (2) VRD management approval; and(3) compliance with qualifications for participation.(i) Qualifications for participation in the QVRC program require that VR counselors and transition VR counselors applying for assistance must: (1) have completed the initial training year;(2) be meeting or exceeding job performance expectations;(3) obtain the appropriate approvals to pursue a graduate degree or prescribed coursework;(4) apply for Rehabilitation Services Administration scholarship and university stipend funding, if applicable; and(5) be accepted by an appropriate institution of higher education.(j) A VR counselor participating in the QVRC program is expected to pay all costs or expenses: (1) associated with the college application, admission, and GRE exam(reimbursement of one GRE exam is allowed);(2) related to tuition, fees, and books for any coursework that must be repeated because of failure to successfully complete; and(3) related to completing work necessary to remove any grade of "I" (Incomplete) unless compelling reasons exist and payment is approved by the VR division director or designee (for example, serious illness, or university regulations to the contrary).40 Tex. Admin. Code § 850.11
The provisions of this §850.11 adopted to be effective March 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 1713; duplicated effective September 1, 2016, as published in the Texas Register September 2, 2016, 41 TexReg 6773; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 44, Number 19, May 10, 2019, TexReg 2368, eff. 5/13/2019; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 47, Number 51, December 23, 2022, TexReg 8739, eff. 12/26/2022; Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 35, August 30, 2024, TexReg 6752, eff. 9/2/2024