Since its formation, iSCR has made a concerted effort to promote professionalism in the field of Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT). In 1994, iSCR initiated a credentialing process that offers certification in CRT. The goal of the credentialing process is to maintain high standards for provision of quality CRT treatment.

Professionals from a wide range of disciplines possess the skills necessary to provide CRT. Representative disciplines include, but are not limited to, counseling, education, medicine, neuropsychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, recreation therapy, social work, special education and speech-language pathology.

Certification is a voluntary credentialing process for providers of Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT). Certification is offered internationally by The international Society for Cognitive Rehabilitation, Inc. (iSCR) and is strongly encouraged. Certification:

1. Identifies those individuals who have met specific minimum professional standards, and promotes their visibility.
   
   
2. Recognizes those professional who are willing to uphold a professional Code of Ethics.
   
   
3. Entitles the individual to use the designation "Certified in the Practice of Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy" (CPCRT).
   
   
4. Advances the professionalism of CRT within the field of rehabilitation, with the public and with third-party payers.
   
   
5. Has the potential to improve reimbursement from third-party payers.
   
   

iSCR provides two levels of certification:

1. Level I Certification - Applicants for Level I Certification must meet the criteria for designation as a "Qualified Independent Practitioner" as defined in the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine's Guidelines for Cognitive Rehabilitation. Such a practitioner is defined as a person who has acquired appropriate credentials for the independent practice in their discipline according to state licensing agencies appropriate to their profession; or in the absence of applicable state regulations, meets the appropriate national registration or certification requirements for the independent practice of their profession.
   
   
2. Level II Certification - Applicants for Level II Certification are those who are unable to practice their profession independently, and require supervision by a Qualified Independent Practitioner. The Qualified Independent Practitioner is accountable for the design, implementation and ongoing quality and appropriateness of evaluation and treatment services delivered to clients.
   
   

1. Education
   
   For Level I Certification: Minimum of a master's degree in an allied rehabilitation field from a regionally accredited institution where the degree is a prerequisite for licensure or certification (e.g., Psychology, Speech), OR minimum of a bachelor's degree in an allied rehabilitation field from a regionally accredited institution where the degree is sufficient for licensure, certification or registration (e.g., Occupational Therapy).
   
   For Level II Certification: Bachelor's or master's degree in an allied rehabilitation field from a regionally accredited institution where the degree is insufficient for licensure, certification or registration, OR when such licensure, certification or registration is not available.
   
   Applicable allied rehabilitation degree programs include counseling, education, medicine, neuropsychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, recreation therapy, social work, special education and speech-language pathology. Other disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
   
   
2. Credentials
   
   If credentials (licensure, certification, registration) are available in your discipline, you are expected to hold such.
   
   
3. Direct Work Experience
   
   Minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised post-master's experience (2,000 hours = 1 year of full time employment). If the applicant's graduate program included an internship or practicum of supervised clinical work, up to 1,000 of these hours may be substituted for post-master's work experience.
   
   Minimum of 4,000 hours post-bachelor's degree (i.e., 2 years of supervised experience).
   
   Applicable work experience must be in the direct provision of CRT and assessment of cognition for individuals. Work experience must be paid. Volunteer activities are not acceptable. Work must have been supervised.
   
   
4. Supervision
   
   Minimum of 50 hours of face-to-face supervision for those persons required to have 2,000 hours of work experience.
   
   Minimum of 100 hours of face-to-face supervision for those persons required to have 4,000 hours of work experience.
   
   
5. Temporary Waiver
   
   iSCR recognizes the diversity of clinicians providing CRT. We wish to acknowledge those qualified clinicians who may not, for various reasons, meet all of the above requirements. Therefore, a temporary waiver is being considered for some of the above requirements:
   
   
   1. Education - While no waiver is offered for the minimum degrees listed, iSCR will consider applicants from allied health fields not listed above.
      
      
   2. Work Experience - No waiver is offered for the minimum hours of direct work experience; however, the conditions under which persons obtain experience will vary and these will be considered.
      
      
   3. Supervision - You may qualify for waiver of supervised work experience if you meet all four of the following:
      
      
      • Minimally hold a bachelor's degree in an allied health field, and
        
        
      • Graduated in or before 1986, and
        
        
      • Have been an active CRT therapist since 1986 or before, and
        
        
      • Did not have access to direct, face-to-face supervision in your work experience.
        
        
Waivers are granted on an individual basis. You must indicate your request for waiver on the application form, and provide information to support your request for waiver.

View information about the application process.