RTWDM/Study Guide
Return to Work Disability Manager, RTWDM
Scope of Practice
Return to Work Disability Managers, RTWDM have specialized expertise in developing, coordinating & implementing timely & effective individualized return to work programs following illness or injuries, to enable clients to return to productive & meaningful participation in job duties while ensuring their safety & the safety of others in the workplace. Registrants with this specialty possess a unique set of knowledge, experiences, skills, as well as the ability to determine & apply interventions and strategies, which are used to support affected worker, employers, unions, health care providers & any other stakeholder. Registrants with this specialty are responsible for minimizing the impact of illness or injuries on workers, coworkers, employers & organizations while maximizing the recovery of the affected worker.
Areas of Expertise
The RTWDM provides services necessary to assist workers who, due to an injury or illness, experience, or at risk of experiencing, a loss of function to remain at work &/or return to work.
Reopening RTWDM Grandfathering
We are excited to announce the reopening of the Grandfathering for the Return to Work Disability Manager, RTWDM credential. The RTWDM credential is of continuing interest to applicants & having further access to grandfathering to this credential is a means of enhancing professional qualifications. Disability management is a field steeped in insurance-based rehabilitation. Over the years, the industry has expanded & now covers a wide variety of services and solutions to benefit people. The RTWDM will provide those services necessary to assist workers who, due to an injury or illness, experience, or at risk of experiencing, a loss of function to remain at work &/or return to work.
Grandfathering is open until December 31, 2023.
After the Grandfathering phase certification eligibility criteria is based on experience &/or formal education as well as the passing of an exam.
RTWDM Grandfathering Eligibility & Application Process
Prior to submitting an application, forward a current resume/CV to info@cvrp.ca to determine eligibility at no cost.
1. Application & Fee. Fee is non-refundable. Fee Schedule; &
2. Proof of ability to work in Canada, current Canadian Passport &/or Canadian Birth Certificate. If you do not currently hold Canadian citizenship, submit authorization under the Immigration Act (Canada) to engage in employment in Canada; &
3. Education transcripts. CVRP is accepting soft copies but reserve the right to request originals; &/or
4. Disablity Managment Experience
4.1. A Registrant in good standing holding any of the College’s credentials; or
4.2. A member in good standing with VRA holding designations of RRP, RVP, RCSS; or
4.3. A member in good standing with a disability management related association holding a credential such as CDMP, CHRP, CRTWC, CCC; or
4.4. Demonstrated work experience in disability management minimum of 800 hours confirmed in writing by employer. If self-employed a minimum of 800 hours confirmed by clients; &
An Applicant achieves certification upon the following:
5. Successful Grandfathering Application (met one of the above criteria); &
6. Initial, first year registration fee within 60 days of successful application. Fee Schedule
A Registrant profile is created &/or updated on the Public Registry, to display current certification status(s)
Registrants would be granted a 4 to 6 weeks grace period to submit:
7. Current Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSPC)/Criminal Police Check (PC); & current Errors & Omissions (E&O)/Liability Insurance;
RTWDM Grandfathering Application
RTWDM Eligibility & application process
Prior to submitting an application, forward a current resume/CV to info@cvrp.ca to determine eligibility at no cost.
The RTWDM online exam with virtual proctoring is available. The online exam is 3 hours, consisting of 150 skill-based, multiple-choice & scenario questions. The exam content is standardized & a passing grade of 70% is required. If a rewrite is required the fees are payable to CVRP, the online exam provider & virtual proctor. An applicant must sit the exam within 1 year of application submission.
1. Application & Fee, includes exam. Fee is non-refundable. Fee Schedule; &
2. Proof of ability to work in Canada, current Canadian Passport &/or Canadian Birth Certificate. If you do not currently hold Canadian citizenship, submit authorization under the Immigration Act (Canada) to engage in employment in Canada; &
3. Education transcripts. CVRP is accepting soft copies but reserves the right to request originals; &
4. Proof of Disability Management Experience;
4.1. Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional designation, CVRP, with a minimum 50 hours of Return to Work/Disability Management competency related courses during the last 5 years & minimum of 800 FTE hours performing roles & responsibilities during the last 5 years, with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of Return to Work/Disability Management services; or
4.2. Post graduate degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Disability Management, or a Vocational Rehabilitation-related field (nursing, social work, occupational health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, kinesiology, chiropractic, MD) (If program was completed more than 5 years prior to year of application, minimum 50 hours of Return to Work/Disability Management competency related courses during the last 5 years). Minimum of 800 FTE hours performing roles & responsibilities during the last 5 years, with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of Return to Work/Disability Management services; or
4.3. Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Disability Management, or a Vocational Rehabilitation-related field (nursing, social work, occupational health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, kinesiology, chiropractic) (If program was completed more than 5 years prior to year of application, minimum 50 hours of Return to Work/Disability Management competency related courses during the last 5 years). Minimum of 1 year performing roles & responsibilities during the last 5 years, minimum 50% or more of time in the delivery of Return to Work/Disability Management services; or
4.4. Diploma or certificate program in Vocational Rehabilitation or Disability Management (If program was completed more than 5 years prior to year of application, 50 hours of Return to Work/Disability Management. Minimum of 2 years performing roles & responsibilities during the last 5 years, with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of Return to Work/Disability Management services; &
An Applicant achieves certification upon the following:
5. Successful exam minimum of 70%. Applicant must sit the exam within 1 year of application submission; &
6. Initial, first year registration fee within 60 days of successful exam. Fee Schedule
A Registrant profile is created &/or updated on the Public Registry, to display current certification status(s)
Registrants would be granted a 4 to 6 weeks grace period to submit:
7. Current Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSPC)/Criminal Police Check (PC); & current Errors & Omissions (E&O)/Liability Insurance;
RTWDM Certification Compliance
1 Year Renewal Application Declaration/Fee/Insurance
2 Year 20 CEUs Core Competencies/Domains of Learning 3 Ethics (Domain 8 Vocational Rehabilitation or 6 Vocational Evaluation or 2 Cost of Care ) 10 Disability Management (Domain 7 Vocational Rehabilitation)
5 Year VSPC/Criminal Police Check
Note* if Registrant holds multiple certifications CEU domain compliances vary.
For CEUs that do not appear on the approved CEU list, Registrants & Education Stakeholders can submit a pre &/or post-approval for an education program.
CEU post-approval application
CEU pre-approval application
Annual Renewal Policy
Registration Polices
If you would like more information, contact CVRP.