​Chapter 6.08 Contents:​

Chapter 6.08. - VOCATIONAL EVALUATION

1. Vocational Evaluation

[REVISED: 9/15/22​]

  1. The counselor may (per 2001 Federal Regulation 34 CFR § 361.42 and 2001 Federal Regulation 34 CFR § 361.45 (b)) authorize Vocational Evaluation in Application status and higher to the extent needed to determine eligibility, assign Order Of Selection priority category, or develop the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), but only when existing information does not describe the current functioning of the client, is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate.  In Eligible status, assessments shall (per 2001 Federal Regulation 34 CFR § 361.45 (f)) be limited to information necessary to develop the IPE and the counselor may provide Vocational Evaluation alone or within an IPE Comprehensive Needs Assessment (see Chapter 6.09, IPE COMPREHENSIVE, Policy 2).    

  2. When the client has a job or work history, the counselor shall consider work experience and any transferable skills and possible rehabilitation technology or job restructuring solutions to enable the client to achieve an employment outcome. Underemployment, certain changes in the job market or prognosis/functional limitations, etc. may make the work history become less of a factor in choosing an appropriate employment goal, and the counselor may consider Vocational Evaluation and other assessments. DRS should assist individuals with career advancement when (per Federal Register, Vol. 66, No. 11, issued January 17, 2001, Page 4419) evidence (such as Vocational Evaluation, comparison of job description and KSAs to client qualifications, Situational Assessment, etc.) demonstrates:

    1. The employment is not consistent with client unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities; and 

    1. The barriers to advancement are disability-related and the client is not choosing to change careers/occupations/jobs/employers for reasons other than disability; and  

    2. The individual cannot remove or substantially reduce these barriers without VR services provided under an IPE within a vocational counseling and guidance relationship. 

  3. Longshoremen and Harbor Workers cases.
    For Longshoremen and Harbor Workers cases referred by the Department of Labor Office of Workers Compensation Programs for Vocational Evaluation, the vocational evaluation information shall be provided in the format or Form required by the referral source and all concerns about the scope and need for Vocational Evaluation must be discussed with the referral source. 

  4. For Workers’ Compensation cases:   

    1. The counselor may wish to authorize Vocational Evaluation when the former employer states in writing that no job exists within the company for that employee, and 

    2. Vocational Evaluation may be useful in identifying job restructuring solutions or other job opportunities with the former employer.

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Links to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) are currently unavailable while we await federal changes to the vocational rehabilitation program. Upon promulgation of the final regulations the links will be updated and activated.