The document provides guidelines and norms for continuing rehabilitation education (CRE) programs in India. Some key points: 1. CRE programs can be conducted online, offline, or through experiential learning. They aim to upgrade knowledge and skills of rehabilitation professionals. 2. Institutions must be RCI-approved training centers or reputed disability organizations. Proposals must be submitted 30 days in advance. 3. CRE points are awarded based on level of participation. A minimum of 100 points over 5 years are required for registration renewal. At least 30 points must come from participation rather than resource activities.

1. CRE Norms and Guidelines
For Registered Professionals
Manisha Verma
Faculty (IE), AWES

2. RegistrationinCentral Rehabilitation Register (CRR)w.e.f. 2023-24
• Issued is super cession of all earlier Guidelines / Circulars in this regard
• As per Section 13 of RCI Act, 1992, “No person, other than the rehabilitation
professionals/ personnel who possess a recognized rehabilitation qualification and is
enrolled on the Central Rehabilitation Register:
• Shall hold office as rehabilitation professional or any such office (by whatever
designation called) in government or in any institution maintained by a local or other
authority;
• Shall practice as a rehabilitation professional anywhere in India;
• Shall be entitled to sign or authenticate any certificate required by any law to be
signed or authenticated by a rehabilitation professional;
• Shall be entitled to give any evidence in any court as an expert under section 45 of the
Indian Evidence Act, 1872 on any matter relating to the handicapped.”
• The persons registered with RCI with valid and active registration only shall be entitled
to practice as rehabilitation professionals/ personnel in any part of India and to recover
in due course of law in respect of such practice any expenses, charges in respect of
medicaments or other appliances or any fees to which he may be entitled.

3. Categories of Professionals undersection19 of RCI Act,1992
1. Audiologist and Speech Therapists
2. Clinical Psychologists
3. Hearing Aid and Ear Mould Technicians
4. Rehabilitation Engineers and Technicians
5. Special Teachers for Education and Training the
handicapped
6. Vocational Counsellors, Employment Officers
and Placement Officers dealing with handicapped
7. Multipurpose Rehabilitation Therapists,
Technicians
8. Speech and Hearing Technician
9. Rehabilitation Psychologists
10. Rehabilitation Social Workers
11. Rehabilitation Practitioners in Mental
Retardation
12. Orientation and Mobility Specialists
13. Community-Based Rehabilitation Professionals
14. Rehabilitation Counsellors/Administrators
15. Prosthetists and Orthotists
16. Rehabilitation Workshop Managers
17. Any other

4. FreshRegistrationunderSection19ofRCIAct,1992
• Professionals who are qualified to register in the CRR shall register with the
Council within 6 months from the date of completion of an approved course.
• All the process of registration is online. Read the guidelines for applying online
available on the website before applying.
• The candidate with RCI-approved qualifications can apply online for registration in
CRR.
• The details to be filled in the form must be correct as per the certificates attached
• All attachments required for registration should be original coloured scanned
copies of the respective document.
• Fees for fresh registration is Rs.1000/-. Payment to be made online.

5. Renewal of Registration:
• All registered rehabilitation professionals shall renew their registration with the Council once in 5
years.
• All the process of renewal of registration is online
• Total number of 100 CRE points are required to be accumulated for renewal of registration over 5
years.
• Every registered professional/personnel/resource person shall be liable to earn a minimum of 10
points and not exceeding 50 points per year. A participant can do more than 50 CRE point activities
during a year, but a maximum of 50 CRE will be added, though the certificate of participation or
passing will be given for surplus points.
• For renewal, total CRE points shall not be considered merely on the basis of having attended CREs as
resource persons, or for Papers submitted, or Higher Education gained, etc., but also requiring a
minimum 30 CRE points (out of 100) scored as a participants in online/offline webinars, or
participation in Government schemes, or experiential learning, etc. This criteria will be applicable
from renewals falling due from 1st January 2024.
• CRE points earned from approved CRE programs of RCI can be seen on the dashboard. For other CRE
points as mentioned in CRE guidelines, one may scan the original certificates and attach them during
applying to earn CRE points.
• Fees for renewal of registration is Rs.500/-. Payment to be made online.
• Note: In case of delay in applying for renewal of registration, the first three months after the due date
will be relaxed from penalty. Thereafter, one has to pay Rs.100/- as a penalty fee for each month of
delay.

6. Addition of Qualification:
• Acquisition of any other RCI approved qualification after registration will be considered as addition of
qualification.
• Process for addition of qualification is online.
• The details to be filled in the form must be correct as per the certificates attached.
• All attachments required for registration should be original coloured scanned copies of the
respective document.
• Fees for addition of qualification is Rs.500/-. Payment to be made online.

7. Good Standing Certificate:
• Good Standing certificate is issued only to the registered Professional/personnel
with valid and active registration
• Process of application is online.
• All attachments required for registration should be original coloured scanned
copies of the respective document.
• The testimonials of character and conduct as stated in Col. '6' of the application
form should be from persons of standing i.e. Gazetted Officers, Members of
Parliament, Member of Legislative Assembly/Magistrate 1st Class, and the
Principals and Professors of Colleges in any discipline or from other persons of
similar status.
• The names of the reference in column ‘7’ may be mentioned with complete and
correct addresses to whom a reference could be made. These should not be the
same persons who have issued a certificate as asked for in Col. '6' of the
application.
• After applying, the signed hard copy of Good Standing to be sent to RCI along
with original documents as mentioned at column 6 & 7.
• Fees for Good Standing Certificate is Rs. 1500/-. Payment to be made online.

8. Pre-Registration:
• This is an innovative step by RCI. Each candidate enrolled for any RCI approved training
programme (Certificate/Diploma/Degree/Others) shall apply for Pre-Registration with
Course and institute details, enrolment number, Aadhar number, email ID etc.
• The nominal fees of Rs. 100/- will charged. The candidate after successful completion
of the training programme will receive CRR registration without extra fees.
• For the candidate with pre-registration, RCI will grant pre-CRE points to students
pursuing RCI approved training programs for attending (online, offline, experiential)
CRE programmes with maximum 10 points per year.
• No fees will be charged for the CRE programs directly organized by RCI. The points will
be added to their account when they get their CRR number from RCI after successful
completion of their course.

9. Norms & Guideline forCRE
Effective from 1st April 2023 onwards
• To upgrade the knowledge and skills of in-service and practicing rehabilitation
professionals/ personnel, registered with the RCI u/s 19 of the RCI Act of 1992.
• To update professional knowledge and skills of master trainers working in the field of
disability rehabilitation and special education.

10. Methodologyof CREprogram:
Online mode:
• The technology platform will be provided by RCI.
• All participants will pre-register (up to starting time of the webinar and login through mobile OTP verification,
using the mobile number registered with CRR.
• Resource person(s) shall be arranged by the Institute.
• Institute shall provide a set of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) topic wise from respective resource persons
(@ 4 questions per hour) maximum two days prior to the scheduled programme, which will be programmed
by RCI before start of webinar and shall be displayed to audience at random time intervals during program.
• All participants shall answer them online within a short timeframe, so that attendance and attention at all
times is ensured.
• Evaluation sheet shall also be displayed online to participants immediately after the webinar is finished.
• The participants must score overall 70% or more to qualify for CRE points. Based on correct answers, they will
be declared pass/failed in CRE and accordingly CRE points shall be generated and added to RCI’s database
which can be accessed at individual participant’s registration dashboard at RCI portal.
• RCI reserves the right to record all proceedings of online CRE, collect random photographs during progress of
CRE and later on broadcast the recorded program on electronic and social media channels.
• Every online lecture shall typically consist of 45 min of lecture followed by 15 min of interaction with
participants.
• RCI will also organize many CRE online programs directly. RCI may collaborate with National
Institutes/CRCs/RCs or any other agency to organize CRE programs.

11. Methodologyof CREprogram:
Offline mode
• For local/District levels, the Institute shall organise CRE program, preferably in its
premises or preferably in Special Schools of Inclusive School/College premises.
• High quality Resource person(s) will be arranged.
• A suitable evaluation shall be done by each resource person for each participant,
based on which CRE points shall be granted.
• The questions will be of multiple choice based on the sessions conducted and not
only based on the contents given through the PPT.
• The participants must score overall 70% or more to qualify for CRE points.
• RCI may provide a mobile App on which the participants will answer the questions.
• RCI will also organize many CRE offline programs directly. RCI may collaborate with
National Institutes/CRCs/RCs or any other agency to organize CRE programs

12. Methodologyof CREprogram:
Experiential Mode: (on pilot basis to be run directly by RCI)
• Apart from classroom-type training, actual EXPERENTIAL learning by visiting
Research institutes, hospitals, manufacturing units, Early Intervention centers,
Anganwadis, educational institute, participation/surveys in Government schemes
like ADIP/ UDID, Skills, DDRS, etc, will be encouraged.
• Exposure to and working on field level Assistive Technology, assistive issues, Central
and States Govt. Schemes, etc. will thus also count towards gaining CRE points.

13. CREpointsrequiredforRenewalof Registration:
• Total number of 100 CRE points are required to be accumulated for renewal of registration over 5 years.
• Out of these 100 points, maximum 50 points can be scored through online/webinar.
• Every registered professional/personnel/resource person shall be liable to earn a minimum of 10 points and
not exceeding 50 points per year.
• A participant can do more than 50 CRE point activities during a year, but maximum 50 CRE will be added,
though the certificate of participation or passing will be given for surplus points.
• For renewal, Total CRE points shall not be considered merely on the basis of having attended CREs as resource
persons, or for Papers submitted, or Higher Education gained etc, but also be requiring minimum 30 CRE
points (out of 100) scored as participants in online/offline webinars, or participation in Government schemes,
or experiential learning etc. This criteria will be applicable from renewals falling due from 1st January, 2024.
• Professionals who are qualified to register in the CRR shall register with the Council within 6 months from the
date of completion of an approved course.
• All registered rehabilitation professionals shall renew their registration with the Council once in 5 years.
• Acquisition of a higher qualification (RCI approved) will be considered for renewal of registration.
• Pre-CRE: RCI will grant pre-CRE points to students pursuing RCI approved training programs for attending
(online, offline, experiential) CRE programmes with maximum 10 points per year. The points will be added to
their account when they get their CRR number from RCI after successful completion of their studies. No fees
will be charged for the programs directly organized by RCI.

14. CREPoints
S.N
o
Programmes Level of Participation CRE Points Remarks
1. Annual Conference at National Level
(1 – 3 days)
Resource person/ Keynote
Speaker
15
(per session of 2 hours)
Not more than 15 points
maximum per conference
Paper Presentation 10 Maximum of 10 points
Poster Presentation 10 Maximum of 10 points
Participants 01 point Per hour Maximum 6 points per day
2. International Conference
(1 – 3 days) Resource person/ Keynote
Speaker
15
(per session of 2 hours)
Not more than 15 points
maximum
per conference
Paper Presentation 10 Maximum of 10 points
Poster Presentation 10 Maximum of 10 points
Participants 1.5 point Per hour Maximum 8 point Per day

15. CREPoints
S.N
o
Programmes Level of Participation CRE Points Remarks
3. Seminar/ Conference at Local /
District level/ State/ Zonal level
(1 hour – 18 hours)
Resource Person 10 Not more than 20 points per
Workshop
Coordinator 05 Per day
Participants 06 Per day
4. Workshop at State/Zonal
level (Knowledge based/ Hands on
Practical training)
Instructor 10 Not more than 20 points per
workshop
Coordinator 05 Per day
Participants 01 point Per
hour
Maximum 6 points per day

16. CREPoints
S.N
o
Programmes Level of Participation CRE Points Remarks
5. Experiential / Field visit
Instructor 10
Not more than 20 points per
workshop
Coordinator 05 Per day
Participants
01 point Per
hour
Maximum 6 points per day
10
Per day for participants of North
Eastern States / J&K /Leh-Ladkh (maximum 20 points)
6.
Research Projects Project Investigator 20
Award of points shall be after the
completion of the project
Co-investigator 15

17. CREPoints
S.No Programmes Level of Participation CRE Points Remarks
7. Publications in peer
reviewed /indexed
journals in the field of
disability
First / Single/Corresponding
Author
10 Additional 10 points for publication in indexed
international journals
Second and any other
author
6 Additional 10 points for publication in indexed
international journals
a. Writing a Book 20
b. Writing of Chapter 10
c. Editing of Book /
Journal
20
8. Ph.D. 25
9. Any fellowship for
other than degree
purpose
20
10. Attending Experts
Committee Meetings
of RCI
01 point Per
hour

18. Guidelines for Institutes

19. Eligibility ConditionsforInstitutions/Organizations
RCI’s approved Training institutions having valid RCI approval.
National level Professional Associations and/or any organization of national repute working for the
empowerment of Persons With Disabilities with at least 3 years of experience and having valid
society registration/trust/company registration.
National Institute/CRC/RC shall normally not collaborate with any institute for any CRE program and
shall conduct CRE in their own premises only. Every NI/CRC/RC shall submit their own application
directly at RCI website following all CRE norms.
For CRE status to any online/offline/Experiential program, proposal on the website of RCI shall be
submitted at least 30 days in advance.
ICT requirements for ONLINE mode (mandatorily on RCI webinar platform):
Ensuring adequate internet connectivity for online CRE at institute and participant levels
Arrange proper camera, speaker, mic enabled desktop/ laptop for delivery of talk, for each speaker.
The lighting should be proper and there should be no background noise.
All accessibility/ adaptation features to be ensured by Institute so that any PwD participants will have
no difficulties
If any requirement of sign language interpreter is there, same shall be arranged by organizing
Institute.
Institute to ensure necessary technical support to the resource persons, if required.

20. GeneralGuidelines:
• Topics on which CRE programs can be conducted should be all chosen from the
topics listed on the CRE form available on RCI website. However, institutions are
free to conduct CRE programs on topics which may not be in these lists, but
institutions have to fully justify the need for such a CRE program.
• Topics on the latest development in the field of disability , Barrier free/accessible
environment guidelines of Ministry of Housing & Urban affairs 2021, SIPDA,UDID,
ADIP, NHFDC, DDRS,DDRC etc legislative provisions,Important notifications of
regulating bodies like DoSEL, UGC, NCTE, NCERT, AICTE, NCVET etc can be topics of
CRE. In addition to this, Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO
Act, 2012) to be included to generate awareness in this matter.

21. GeneralGuidelines:
• RCI also promotes CRE programs on emerging areas like
• Use of artificial intelligence in disability sector
• New pedagogy practices, best practices in teaching and clinic
• Hands on training on products/assistive devices pertaining to disabilities
• Employment avenues ,entrepreneurship skills
• Research and developments in emerging areas, research methodologies
• Visit of minimum 4 hours to factories involved in production of assistive devices,
aids & appliances
• Visit to National Institutes of DEPwD, CRCs, DDRS/DDRCs and other renowned
institutes of eminence, early intervention centres, hospitals
• Online tours of foreign factories and online interactions with foreign professionals
or Institutes (min 2 hours)

22. GeneralGuidelines:
•RCI approved institutions may conduct ordinarily a maximum of 04 CRE programs (2
online and 2 off line) within a financial year, provided report of the CRE programmes
are submitted to the Council before commencement of another programme, and
participants feedback is positive.
•National institutes and CRCs of DEPwD may conduct more number of programs.
•CRE points shall be awarded for hourly attendance basis by RCI at the rate of 1 CRE
point per hour.
•Offline CRE program can be from a minimum of 1 hour to maximum 18 hours in total.
(maximum 6 hours a day, and maximum 3 days duration for CRE program).
•Online CRE can be conducted for minimum 1 hour to maximum 4 hours only.

23. Selection of resource persons
• Selection of resource persons is also best left to the discretion/judgment of the
organizing institution.
• organizing institution shall ensure that the selected resource persons are experts
and have a proven record of expertise/skills/research output etc. The resource
person should also be well versed on technology for online presentation in case of
online programs.
• If it is deemed that the experts and active professionals in different fields, outside
the specializations under purview of RCI, can contribute significantly to the theme
selected for the CRE, may be invited even if not having CRR number.
• Non-governmental organizations conducting CRE webinars shall ensure that at
least 50% of the resource persons are from RCI recognised training institutions/
universities, having active and valid CRR number.

24. PrescribedIntake of the CRE-Workshop/Conference/Seminar:
Sl.No. Level of Programme / Workshop/
Seminar/ Conference
Approved Intake (Max.) Remarks
Off line mode Online mode
1 Local Level 50
2 State Level 150
20% of the total participation
must be from the districts of the concerned
State
3
Zonal Level ( Zones as defined by
RCI)
200 250
Participation of candidates from
minimum 4 States/UTs under the concerned
zone is compulsory
4 National Level 300
Representation of participants from a
minimum 8 States/UTs is
compulsory
5 International Level 400 400
Representation of participants as from
minimum 3 other Countries is compulsory
• For programs organized directly by RCI, these limits will not apply.
• For Experiential / Field Visit category CRE programs, maximum limit will be 25 participants. However, on case-to-case basis, RCI may relax this limit.

25. • Participants shall apply online on RCI’s website for online / offline /
experiential programs. This will be open only till start time of the CRE
program.
• Nobody will be able to register after the program starts.
• Any walk-in participants have to report well in time to ensure that their
registration is done before the start of the program.

26. FEEstructure:
The maximum fees to charged per candidate is as follows:
S.No. Mode Local/ State/ Zonal / National /
International (in Rs.)
1 Offline CRE 500/- one day and
250/- each for 2nd & 3rd day
2 Online CRE / Webinar 50/- (per hour)
3 Experiential CRE No limit fixed
1. No fees shall be charged by RCI for grant of approval for CRE status to any program, nor will RCI take any revenue
share from the fees collected by the institute from the participants.
2. Any dispute arising out of the quality of CRE will be the responsibility of the organizing institute and shall be
resolved by it. RCI shall stand legally immune from any such dispute.

27. Submission of reportsafterCRE:
• For Online mode: Reports, PPTs and other study material shall be submitted online
by institute.
• For Offline mode: Reports, PPT, group photographs, videos and attendance sheet,
evaluation sheet shall be submitted online by institute, during and immediately
after the event.
• CRE points to participants shall be credited to participants only after successful
submission of above reports by organizing institute.
• Certificate shall be made available to individual participant and resource person for
download online at RCI website.
• Organizing Institute to ensure timely online submission of reports and that all
participants get the CRE points in their account within 2 working days after the
program.
• If organizing institute fails to do this, it will be debarred from organizing CRE for a
period of 1 year.