N.C. Industrial Commission Rules for
Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals
in Workers' Compensation Claims

IV. Qualifications Required.

1. RPs in cases subject to these rules shall follow the Code of Ethics specific to their certification (i.e. CRC, CDMS, CVE, CRRN, COHN, ONC, and CCM) as well as any statutes specific to their occupation.
    
2. RPs who are Registered Nurses must have a North Carolina license to practice and are subject to the requirements of the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act.
    
3. RPs who are Licensed Professional Counselors are subject to the requirements of the North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor's Act.
    
4. RPs rendering services in cases subject to these rules shall meet the following criteria, and shall upon request provide a resume of their qualifications and credentials during initial meetings with parties and health care providers.

1. Requirements for Qualified Rehabilitation Professionals (QRPs):

1. Two years of full-time work experience, or its equivalent, in workers' compensation case management, where a minimum of 30 percent of the time was spent in managing medical and/or vocational rehabilitation services to persons with disabling conditions or diseases. This experience should have been within the past 15 years; AND one of the following credentials, or a similar credential determined by the Industrial Commission as a substantial equivalent thereto:
    

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse (CRRN)

Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS)

Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE)

Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN)

Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC)

Certified Case Manager (CCM)

or

2. Employed within the North Carolina Department of Human Resources as a Vocational Rehabilitation Provider;
    
3. The Commission may, through its Minutes, modify the list of credentials contained in subsection (a) above to add or delete appropriate credentials.

2. Requirements for Conditional Rehabilitation Professionals (CRPs):
    
1. A CRP is defined as a person who does not meet the requirements for QRP and who wishes to work as an RP in cases subject to this rule, including the following:
    
1. CRC, CRRN, CDMS, CVE, COHN, ONC or CCM without the workers' compensation case management experience required;
    
2. A post-baccalaureate degree in a health-related field from an accredited institution, plus one year of experience in the provision of rehabilitation services to persons with disabling conditions or diseases;
    
3. A baccalaureate degree in a health-related field from an accredited institution, plus two years experience in the provision of rehabilitation services to individuals with disabling conditions or diseases; or
    
4. Current North Carolina licensure as a registered nurse and three years experience in clinical nursing providing care for adults with disabling conditions and diseases.
2. In order to work as an RP, a CRP will work under the direct supervision of a QRP until qualifications for a QRP are fulfilled. The supervisor must meet the requirements for providing workers’ compensation case management services in North Carolina. Supervision shall include regular case staffing between the CRP and the QRP supervisor, detailed review by the QRP supervisor of all reports, and periodic meetings no less frequently than quarterly. The name, address and telephone number of the supervisor shall be on all documents identifying the CRP. The QRP is responsible to assure that the work of the CRP shall meet all requirements including those of this rule.
    
3. Once an RP meets certification eligibility requirements, an RP may maintain CRP status for a period of two years only.

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