Certification Organizations

By Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated March 28, 2022

As a vision professional, you will want to participate in professional development opportunities to stay abreast of current trends and best practice. While most states require teachers to obtain a certain number of continuing education credits, some professionals will need to seek national certification specific credits to maintain professional certification in the field as such certification is not offered at the state level. These included:
  • Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS),
  • Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT),
  • Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT), and
  • Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS).
Each certification discipline has guidelines and standards for gaining initial certification that includes a national examination. ACVREP is the sole certifying body for O&M specialists, rehabilitation teachers and low vision therapists. ​

Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)

ACVREP was founded in 2000 with the belief that all people who are blind or have low vision should receive services from highly qualified professionals. Its mission is to advance professional competency to realize that goal through certification. ACVREP's certification programs are designed to offer professionals the means to demonstrate critical knowledge and skills that promote the provision of quality services and ethical practice. Vision Impairment Specialist certifications that ACVREP currently offers are: ACVREP's certification programs are designed to offer Vision Impairment Specialists the means to demonstrate critical knowledge and skills that promote the provision of quality services and ethical practice. ACVREP's commitment to quality builds confidence and trust in both employers and individuals seeking and receiving services from Vision Impairment ACVREP is governed by a board of directors that includes professionals, individuals who are blind or visually impaired employers and representatives of AER. All certifications are international. ​

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification

​CRCC’s vision is to "serve as a leader in the unification of the rehabilitation counseling profession and for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) to be recognized as the credential of excellence for professionals assisting individuals with disabilities to live fully integrated lives". Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC's) will need to obtain CRC credits from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. To maintain certification, CRCs must renew their certification every 5 years via continuing education (CE) or re-examination. These credits are applicable to the field of rehabilitation counseling and not specific to the field of visual impairments which is why some Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors will need to obtain certification credits from both organizations.