Vocational Experts (VEs) play an integral role in Social Security disability hearings. The testimony of VEs can be crucial to whether a disability claimant is approved for disability benefits and nearly every disability hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has a VE appear to testify. A few months ago Social Security set new qualifications for VEs who can testify at hearings. The news may have gone under the radar, but this development helps ensure VEs have at least minimum credentials. Below is the list of requirements Social Security has set forth for VEs as noted in the newsletter from the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives.
- At least five years of direct experience providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.
- Current national certification as either a certified rehabilitation counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification or national certification as a fellow by the American Board of Vocational Experts.
- Meet the continuing educational requirements of their national certifications from either the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification or American Board of Vocational Experts.
Background
In October 2019, Social Security issued a solicitation for vocational expert consulting services, which was amended October 29 and November 1, that includes additional qualifications to serve as a vocational expert. Social Security will make contract awards under this solicitation no later than March 31, 2020 for the performance period of April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2025.
The reason a VE plays such a large part in a disability hearing is because the VE is an expert witness who knows about job availability in the current labor market as well as the skills that are needed to perform specific jobs. In response to questions from the ALJ, the VE will give his or her opinion about what jobs a disability claimant can perform given the limitations due to medical impairments.
