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  2. Vocational Rehabilitation
  3. Service Providers
  4. Service Provider Qualification Requirements
  5. Detailed Qualification Requirements by Statewide Service and Role

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Detailed Qualification Requirements by Statewide Service and Role

Updated June 2026

This document provides more detail on qualification requirements by statewide service category and provider role under DVR's Service Provider Qualification Requirements (SPQR).

These requirements apply to all Service Provider staff listed on a DVR service agreement who deliver the services covered in this document.

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Statewide Service Category Role / Personnel Minimum Requirement
(Also see Alternative Training Plan option below)
Customized Employment (CE) Job Developers ACRE CE Basic certificate, ACRE Professional certificate or CESP
Job Coach/Systematic Instructor ACRE CE Basic certificate, ACRE Professional certificate* or CESP
Individual Placement and Support (IPS)

All services are expected to be completed by an assigned Employment Specialist

 IPS Employment Specialists & Supervisors

Existing requirements apply; no change under SPQR. IPS providers must meet qualification and training expectations established by their county mental health agency and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).

Additional guidance on IPS staff qualifications is outlined in DVR Technical Specifications.
Internship/Temporary Work (I/TW) Job Developers ACRE approved course or CESP certification
Job and Task Analysis and Systematic Instruction (JTA and SI) Any Service Provider staff providing these services ACRE approved course* or CESP certification
Job Preparation and Development, Hire and Retention (JP, JD, and Ret) Job Developers ACRE approved course or CESP certification
Job Coach/Systematic Instructor ACRE approved course* or CESP certification
Student Work Based Learning (SWBL) Job Developers Job Coach/Systematic Instructor
ACRE approved course or CESP certification ACRE approved course* or CESP certification
Supported Employment (SE) Job Developers ACRE approved course or CESP certification
Job Coach/Systematic Instructor ACRE approved course* or CESP certification
Vocational Evaluation (VE) All staff Vocational Evaluation credential meeting one of the four options outlined in the DVR - Voc Eval Credential Certificate (existing requirement; no change)
Work Incentive Benefits Services (WIBS) All staff Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) certification or comparable comprehensive training meeting the standards detailed in DVR - WIBS Qualifications (existing requirement; no change)

*Must include ACRE-approved training in Domains 1 and 4, minimum of 20 hours.

For services with existing requirements and no changes under SPQR, providers should continue to follow qualification requirements as outlined in DVR Technical Specifications.

(Qualification Requirements by Statewide Service Category and Role table updated May 2026 to correct IPS qualification information.)

Service Providers who plan to use training outside the ACRE or CESP pathways must submit an Alternative Training Plan for DVR review prior to use toward qualification requirements. Providers may also refer to Training Programs Recognized for SPQR for examples of reviewed training options.

Training submitted through the Alternative Training Plan process must align with DVR core competencies and meet minimum hour requirements for each role. Requirements differ by role and by service type, as outlined below for Customized Employment (CE) and other statewide services under Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE).

Customized Employment

Role / Personnel Required Hours Core Competency Domains
Job Developer 40
  • Domain 1: Core Values and Principles of Customized Employment
  • Domain 2: Discovery and Individualized Planning
  • Domain 3: Job Development and Employer Negotiation
  • Domain 4: Workplace and On-the-Job Supports and Retention
Job Coach/Systematic Instructor 20
  • Domain 1: Core Values and Principles of Customized Employment
  • Domain 2 (partial): Discovery and Individualized Planning
  • Domain 4: Workplace and On-the-Job Supports and Retention

CIE (Applies to I/TW; JTA and SI; JP, JD, and Ret; SWBL; SE)

Role / Personnel Required Hours Core Competency Domains
Job Developer 40
  • Domain 1: Core Values and Principles of CIE
  • Domain 2: Assessment and Career Planning
  • Domain 3: Job Development and Employer Engagement
  • Domain 4: Workplace and On-the-Job Supports and Retention
Job Coach/Systematic Instructor 20
  • Domain 1: Core Values and Principles of CIE
  • Domain 2 (partial): Assessment and Career Planning
  • Domain 4: Workplace and On-the-Job Supports and Retention

Details on the specific competencies within each domain are outlined in the Alternative Training Requirements and Guidelines document.

For questions: DVRServiceProviders@dwd.wisconsin.gov

For complete competency details and approval requirements, see the Alternative Training Requirement and Guidelines document.

For instructions on submitting training documentation for review, see the Alternative Training Plan Approval Submission and Review document.

  • ACRE: Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators
  • APSE: Association of People Supporting Employment First
  • CESP: Certified Employment Support Professional
  • CWIC: Community Work Incentives Coordinator
  • CRCC: Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification