A credential is proof that an individual has completed assignments, and a required competency test that demonstrates the individual has base-line knowledge and/or skills related to the subject matter. To maintain TWC-VR credentials, either renewal courses or continuing education units are required every 3 years to support the ongoing professional development and expansion of new knowledge or skills for the credentialed individual.
Below are descriptions of currently available credentials:
For most services included in the TWC-VR Standards, the provider must have at least one individual who obtains and maintains the Director Credential. The purpose of the Director Credential is to ensure a person in the contractor's leadership is educated in Vocational Rehabilitation Best Practices, TWC-VR business practices, service delivery requirements, obtaining and maintaining a contract, provider marketing with VR, ethics and other relevant topics.
Contractors who provide services described in the Standards for Providers must have at least one individual who is designated as a Director. Role of the Director is expected to:
The purpose of the Director Credential is to ensure a person in the contractor’s leadership, the designated director, is educated in:
To maintain the Director credential, a renewal course must be completed prior to expiration of the credential.
There are no pre-requisites for the Director course.
Self-Paced:
A score of 75% of higher must be achieved on the Final Test to receive the credential.
Register Here: Director Course
Fee: $135
Contact Hours: 15 contact hours available for completing the course requirements.
Job Skills Training Credential:
This credential is the first and most basic in the employment service credential series. It is required for anyone who will be providing work experience training or job skills training to TWC-VR customers, and is the prerequisite for all other employment service credentials.
Job skills trainers and work experience trainers teach skills, reinforce learned skills, and set up accommodations and/or compensatory techniques to increase the customer's independence and ability to meet the employer's expectations. The Job Skills Training Course is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to effectively provide job skills training to VR customers. This course is a prerequisite for all other employment credentials.
This course will provide information on:
To maintain the Job Skills Training credential, continuing education credits are required to be completed prior to expiration of the credential.
There are no pre-requisites for the Job Skills Training course.
Self-Paced:
A score of 75% of higher must be achieved on the Final Test to receive the credential.
Register Here: Job Skills Training
Fee: $135
Contact Hours: 15 contact hours available for completing the course requirements.
This is the second credential in the series and is required for anyone wanting to provide job placement services to TWC-VR customers. It is also a prerequisite to complete the Supported Employment and/or Work Readiness Credentials. Individuals must have successfully obtained the Job Skills Training Credential as a prerequisite for the course.
The role of the Job Placement Specialist is to teach and assist the customer in executing the skills necessary to prepare for and complete job searching activities necessary to obtain competitive integrated employment. The Job Placement course is designed to review and teach the most up to date strategies and necessary services to individually assist customers in executing the skills needed to prepare for and complete job searching activities, such as:
The course provides strategies to develop curriculum, implement training activities, access and monitor a customer’s abilities, and complete job searching activities while meeting each customer's needs, including, but not limited to, literacy and disability needs. The course explains the TWC-VR Job Placement Services outlining the required outcomes for payment, and teaches how to document a customer’s progress on required reports
To maintain the Job Placement credential, continuing education credits are required to be completed prior to expiration of the credential.
Job Skills Training is a prerequisite for Job Placement. Students must complete Job Skills Training and receive their credentials before enrolling. Those who enroll without meeting this requirement may be removed.
Instructor-Led:
A score of 75% of higher must be achieved on the Final Test to receive the credential.
Register Here: Job Placement
Fee: $280
Contact Hours: 20 contact hours available for completing the course requirements.
Supported Employment Credential:
This is considered an advanced course for individuals who have experience providing employment services and working with individuals with the most significant disabilities. Supported Employment enables customers with the most significant disabilities to obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment. Individuals must have successfully obtained the Job Skills Training and Job Placement Credential as prerequisites for the course.
Supported Employment Specialists assist customers with the most significant disabilities to obtain or maintain competitive integrated employment by:
The course curriculum includes topics such as:
To maintain the Supported Employment credential, continuing education credits are required to be completed prior to expiration of the credential.
Job Skills Training and Job Placement are the prerequisite's for Supported Employment. Students must complete both Job Skills Training and Job Placement, and receive their credentials before enrolling. Those who enroll without meeting this requirement may be removed.
Instructor-Led:
A score of 75% of higher must be achieved on the Final Test to receive the credential.
Register Here: Supported Employment
Fee: $420
Contact Hours: 30 contact hours available for completing the course requirements.
This is considered an advanced course currently geared for Vocational Readiness. The Work Readiness Credential will train an individual in skills necessary to address disability issues, interpersonal skills, daily living skills, and vocational impediments that interfere with a TWC-VR customer obtaining and maintaining employment. The course reviews and teaches the skills necessary to implement prescribed curriculums and how to develop curriculums that cover the required content as described in the VR-Standards for Providers. Individuals must have successfully obtained the Job Skills Training and Job Placement Credentials, and have completed at least 60 college credit hours as a prerequisite for this course.
The Work Readiness Credential allows Vocational Adjustment Trainers to train individuals in skills necessary to address disability issues, interpersonal skills, daily living skills, and vocational impairment issues that interfere with a VR customer obtaining or maintaining employment. Work Readiness Services benefit customers who have never worked, have not worked for a long time or have a sporadic work history, and prepares customers for successful employment so they can manage or address vocational impairments and be self-sufficient.
The course reviews and teaches the skills necessary to implement prescribed curriculums and to develop curriculums that cover the required content as described in the VR Standards for Providers. Upon completion of the course, individuals will be able to:
To maintain the Work Readiness credential, continuing education credits are required to be completed prior to expiration of the credential.
Completion of at least 60 college credit hours, Job Skills Training, and Job Placement are the prerequisite's for Work Readiness. Students must complete both Job Skills Training and Job Placement, and receive their credentials before enrolling. Those who enroll without meeting this requirement may be removed.
Instructor-Led:
A score of 75% of higher must be achieved on the Final Test to receive the credential.
Register Here: Work Readiness
Fee: $336
Contact Hours: 24 contact hours available for completing the course requirements.
By obtaining an endorsement, an individual is identified as having the knowledge and skills related to a specific subject area, such as a disability group or common employment barrier. Contractors that have staff with endorsements may be provided the opportunity to earn additional monies when their skills are necessary to support a customer in achieving an employment outcome.
Completion of the Autism Endorsement demonstrates an individual has the foundational knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), behavior concepts, social skills strategies and best practices for working with individuals with Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Individuals must have successfully obtained the Job Skills Training and Job Placement Credential as prerequisites for the course, and must complete the Relias Academy Autism specialization course OR hold a BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D.
Individuals who successfully complete the Autism endorsement demonstrate foundational knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), behavioral concepts, social skills strategies and best practices for working with individuals with Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
An Autism Specialization endorsement is required to conduct the Environmental Work Assessment (EWA). Provider staff with an Autism Endorsement may be eligible for the Autism Premium when the criteria under TX-VR Standards for Providers Chapter 20, section 20.3.1 Autism Premium Service Description is met. ASD Supports may also be provided by Autism Endorsement holders when an appropriate referral is received.
To maintain the Autism Endorsement, a renewal course must be completed prior to expiration of the Endorsement, however you do not need to retake the Relias courses.
Completion of the RELIAS Academy Autism Specialization courses, Job Skills Training, and Job Placement are the prerequisite's for the Autism Endorsement. Students must complete both Job Skills Training and Job Placement, and receive their credentials before enrolling. Those who enroll without meeting this requirement may be removed.
Register Here: Relias Academy Autism specialization courses ($299)
Proof that the student holds one of the following can be used to waive the RELIAS Academy Autism Specialization courses:
Self-Paced:
A score of 75% of higher must be achieved on the Final Test to receive the credential.
Register Here: Autism Endorsement
Fee: $27
Contact Hours: 3 contact hours available for completing the course requirements.
A service provider with a Blind Premium Endorsement, may help identify, address, and remove barriers related to the customer's visual impairment which could include developing compensatory strategies, skills training, setting up accommodations, and more. (Effective Nov. 1, 2022).
Individuals who successfully complete the Blind Premium Endorsement will be able to demonstrate foundational knowledge about blindness, low vision, and other significant visual impairments. The endorsement will also focus on how to remove employment barriers through use of interventions such as compensatory strategies, skills training and establishing accommodations.
Prerequisites include successful completion of the following free courses:
1. NRTC Improving Business Development Skills: A Training for Rehabilitation Professionals.
Section 1 - A Recommended Approach to Business Development
Section 2 - What You Need to Know Before Making Employer Contacts
Section 3 - Connecting with Employers
Section 4 - Being Prepared for a First Meeting
Section 5 - After the First Meeting, Making Time, and Other Issues Specific to Business Development
for People who are Blind
2. NRTC Advice for VR Professionals: Evidence for Effective Meetings with Employers.
Note:
Self-Paced:
A score of 75% of higher must be achieved on the Final Test to receive the credential.
Register Here: Blind Premium Endorsement
Fee: $45
Contact Hours: 5 contact hours available for completing the course requirements.
Additional Endorsements will be added as they become available.
If you need accommodations, please review our policy page: Accommodations Policy
Please contact UNT WISE at (940) 565-4000 or UNTWISE@unt.edu for further assistance.