Mental Health Licensing Section


Frequently Asked Questions

This site was prepared for licensed and unlicensed psychotherapists in Colorado and is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice nor does it bind any of the licensing Boards or the State Grievance Board to a specific course of action. Please direct any specific questions or comments to MentalHealth@dora.state.co.us.

General Practice

Q. Where can I find out about the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB)?
A. There's now a guide to the data banks created just for health care practitioners. For an overview of the kind of data collected, the steps for submitting a self-query, and more useful information, download the brochure, or visit the data banks' website at www.npdb-hipdb.com.

Q. Are teletherapy or internet therapy permitted in Colorado?
A. Yes, provided that first contact with the client and any initial evaluations are made face-to-face.

Q. Do you need a license to practice hypnotherapy?
A. If you practice hypnotherapy, you must be licensed or listed in the Grievance Board Database.

Q. Are licensed or unlicensed psychotherapists required to have malpractice insurance?
A. There is no requirement for malpractice insurance as a provider of psychotherapy services under the Colorado Mental Health Statute. However, as a practical matter, malpractice insurance is strongly advised for any psychotherapist engaged in private practice.

Q. What is the Grievance Board Database for unlicensed psychotherapists and how much is the fee?
A. Pursuant to 12-43-702.5, C.R.S., any unlicensed psychotherapist is required to record their name, current address, educational qualifications, disclosure statements, therapeutic orientation or methodology, or both, and years of experience in each specialty area with the Grievance Board for inclusion in the Grievance Board Database. Please refer to the Fee Schedule for the current fee.

Q. If listed on the Mental Health Database, am I eligible to take the NCE Examination?
A. No. Being listed in the Mental Health Database does not qualify the listed person to take any mental health examination with the exception of the mail-in jurisprudence examination.

Q. Do volunteers for a teen crisis line need to be listed in the Grievance Board Database?
A. If the volunteers are providing referral and/or informational services to callers, they are not required to be listed in the Grievance Board Database. A person whose primary practice is psychotherapy or who holds him or herself out to the public as being able to practice psychotherapy for compensation is required to be listed in the Grievance Board Database.

Q. Is clinical supervision of licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, or unlicensed psychotherapists required under the Colorado Mental Health Statute?
A. Supervision is not required for unlicensed or licensed psychotherapists in Colorado.

Q. Can a third party, someone other than a client, file a grievance against a mental health professional?
A. Yes, anyone can file a grievance against any mental health professional regulated by the Colorado Mental Health Statute provided that it is filed in good faith.

Q. If a licensed psychotherapist is providing services in multiple states, who has jurisdiction over them?
A. Any state(s) that licenses or certifies the psychotherapist.

Q. How can I file a complaint against a mental health facility?
A. Contact the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health.

Q. Can a licensee or unlicensed psychotherapist release the name of a client to a collection agency without the client's permission, if the client has not paid for or is in arrears for services provided?
A. Yes. However, it is considered good practice to inform the client at the outset of therapy that use of a collection service is practiced by the therapist and the name, current address, and phone number of the client may be provided to the collection agency if the client does not pay for psychotherapy services. This is frequently included in the disclosure statement provided to clients at the beginning of therapy.

Q. Are fees or fee disputes for psychotherapy services regulated by the State of Colorado?
A. No. Fees or any fee disputes between consumers and providers of psychotherapy services are not within the Boards' jurisdiction.

Q. Is the mandatory disclosure statement required for clients who are court ordered for therapy?
A. No. Mandatory disclosure is not required for a person seeking therapy pursuant to a court order.

Q. If a client refuses to sign the disclosure statement, is the therapist required to discontinue or terminate therapy until the statement is signed?
A. No. The therapist should note on the disclosure statement where the signature appears that the client refused to sign and indicate the date the disclosure statement was provided to the client.

Q. A 15-year-old client living with her boyfriend seeks the services of a psychotherapist because she is alleging that her boyfriend raped her. She does not want her parents to know. Is the therapist required to obtain parental permission prior to treating the client?
A. No. The client is considered emancipated because she does not reside with her parents or guardian, and may consent to mental health care (C.R.S. 19-1-103(45)).

Q. If parents have joint/shared custody of their child who is a minor, is a licensed or unlicensed psychotherapist required to have both parents give consent to treat?
A. No. Legally, only one parent is required to give consent for treatment, although in many cases it is considered best practice to involve both parents.

Q. A therapist providing couples therapy is asked by one spouse to testify in a contested divorce dispute. Is the therapist required to obtain permission from the other spouse prior to releasing any information or agreeing to testify?
A. Yes. Permission to disclose confidential information about the other spouse is required.

Q. An attorney, by court order, serves a psychotherapist with a subpoena duces tecum to appear at a deposition and bring the records of a client suing a manufacturing firm she is representing. Is the therapist required to release such records to the attorney?
A. No. The therapist cannot release records to the attorney without a release from the client. A subpoena duces tecum is an order to appear in court or at a deposition and bring documents or records to that proceeding. It does not constitute permission to release confidential information. You may need to get a protective order from the court.

Q. What constitutes mandatory reporting?
A. If you have reasonable belief that a prohibited activity occurred and reporting would not violate client confidentiality, you are required to report to the appropriate licensing Board.

Q. Are licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists or unlicensed psychotherapists required to report child abuse?
A. Yes, mental health professionals are specifically cited under the Colorado Children's Code (please refer to Title 19 of the Colorado Revised Statutes) to report child abuse; they are also required to report child abuse under the Colorado Mental Health Statute as it is considered a generally accepted standard of these professions to report child abuse.

Q. Is it permissible to accept gifts from clients?
A. This depends on the type of gift, its monetary value, and any expectations by the client associated with the gift. If there is any perceived adverse risk to the client-therapist relationship, it is advisable not to accept the gift.

Q. Are special advocates or parenting coordinators exempt from Board jurisdiction under the Colorado Mental Health Statute?
A. Yes and no. Therapists who are appointed by the court to conduct custody evaluations or domestic or child abuse evaluations for purposes of legal proceedings in the courts of this state are exempt from the Colorado Mental Health Statute. In many instances, child advocates and parenting coordinators fall within the meaning of this exemption, in some instances they do not. Exemptions are determined by evaluating the court order.

Q. What are rules and regulations regarding the release of records? What does a facility do with records when they close?
A. Please refer to the record-keeping rule for your profession, or for more information contact an attorney.

Q. How long are therapists required to keep client records?
A. Each Board has established its own rule with regards to record-keeping. Please refer to the appropriate Board rule for your profession.

Q. Do licensees or unlicensed psychotherapists have a duty to report unprofessional conduct by another licensed or unlicensed psychotherapist?
A. Yes, unless making such a report would violate a client's confidentiality (i.e. disclosing information about the client of the reporting therapist without consent of the client is prohibited).

Q. As a licensed or unlicensed psychotherapist, am I required to disclose prior disciplinary actions against me to my clients?
A. There is no requirement under Colorado law, unless a board or court order requires disclosure of a disciplinary action.

Q. What are the generally accepted ethical standards of practice? Where can I find them documented for my profession?
A. Contact your local professional association found on our Related Links page for ethical standards.

Q. Are unlicensed psychotherapists allowed to perform general or technical psychometric testing, scoring, or interpretation of test results?
A. Yes, provided that they meet the minimum standards for testing under 12-43-228, C.R.S., and are competent in the use of those tests.

Q. Is "marriage and family counseling" a protected term reserved only for licensed marriage and family therapists?
A. No. "Marriage and Family Therapist" and "LMFT" are the only protected terms for licensed marriage and family therapists in Colorado.

Q. Can certified domestic violence counselors or certified addiction counselors, or unlicensed psychotherapists invoke a 72-hour hold and treat order?
A. No. However, Licensed Addiction Counselors can place a person under a 72-hour mental health hold provided they meet certain additional qualifications in psychiatric or clinical mental health therapy, forensic psychotherapy, or the evaluation of mental disorders.

Q. Are certified domestic violence counselors or certified addiction counselors permitted to practice independently in Colorado?
A. Yes.

Q. Can a licensed mental health provider who uses a sliding scale bill insured clients at a higher rate for psychotherapy services than they do for uninsured clients?
A. No.

Q. Are licensed or unlicensed psychotherapists required to treat clients regardless of their ability to pay?
A. No.

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For Therapists Responding to an Inquiry

Q. Am I required to report the inquiry to my insurance company?
A. Maybe. Please contact your insurance agency and/or review the terms of your contract.

Q. Do I need a lawyer?
A. We cannot advise on this: it is up to each individual.

Q. What if I have never had an inquiry filed against me before?
A. All inquiries are reviewed and processed accordingly.

Q. Do I need a release of information from the complainant to respond to the inquiry? How much confidential info can I disclose in my response?
A. No. Confidentiality does not apply when responding to a complaint or grievance.

Q. Does it matter if a third party initiated the inquiry?
A. No.

Q. Why must I limit my response to 10 pages or less? What does "unbound" mean?
A. It is the Boards position that 10 pages or less is sufficient to respond to the specifics of an inquiry. When preparing your response, please do not use paper clips, staples, or any binding material because the response must be copied for Board members and staff.

Q. If a parent who does not have custody of his/her child who is my client, files an inquiry against me what level of confidentiality should I maintain when responding? Will the parent see the response, even if it contains confidential information about the child that may be detrimental for therapy purposes or violates confidentially if the parent sees it?
A. You may request your response not be forwarded to the parent filing the inquiry.

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Addiction Counselors

Q: What does it take to become a Certified or Licensed Addiction Counselor?
A: The two basic components to the requirements are:
Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) (formerly ADAD, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division) approved training and education
Appropriately supervised work/field experience
The amount of training and field experience necessary to become a CAC or LAC depends on the application level of certification or licensure. The four levels of credentialing for addiction professionals are:
CAC I   -   Certified Assistant Addiction Counselor
CAC II  -   Certified Addiction Counselor
CAC III -   Certified Senior Addiction Counselor
LAC      -   Licensed Addiction Counselor

Q: Where do I find the Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Rules?
A: Go to the DORA website link below and click on Program Rules. www.dora.state.co.us/mental-health/cac/licensing.htm

Q: Do the training classes already taken expire if I do not submit an
 application within a certain amount of time?
A:See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards14.300 (F)1-2.
There is a five-year limit on only two classes, Addiction Counseling Skills and Client Record Management. All other classes, regardless when they were taken, can be used towards certification.

Q: What are the CAC I Requirements?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.300.
1000 hours of appropriately supervised work experience, completed jurisprudence examination, plus the following DBH approved trainings:
Addiction Counseling Skills, 21 hours
Client Record Management, 14 hours
Principles of Addiction Treatment, 21 hours
Ethical Issues in the Alcohol and Drug Clinical Setting, 14 hours
Infectious Diseases in the Alcohol and Drug Treatment Setting, 14 hours
Diversity in Treatment Populations, 14 hours
Please see application for additional processing requirements.

Q: What are the CAC II Requirements?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.400.
3000 hours of appropriately supervised work experience, completed jurisprudence examination, plus the following DBH approved trainings and 14 hours of elective classes:
Motivational Interviewing, 14 hours
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 14 hours
Differential Assessment and Treatment Planning, 14 hours
Group Counseling Skills, 21 hours
Pharmacology I, 14 hours
Pharmacology II, 14 hours
Please see application for additional processing requirements
If you possess a Masters degree or higher in the social sciences, please see Question 31.

Q: What are the CAC III Requirements?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.500.
5000 hours of appropriately supervised work experience, completed jurisprudence examination, plus the following DBH approved trainings and 49 hours of elective classes:
Advanced Counseling Skills, 21 hours
Clinical Supervision, 21 hours
Therapeutic Resistance, 14 hours
Please see application for additional processing requirements
If you possess a Masters degree or higher in the social sciences, please see Question 31.

Q: What are the requirements for the LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor)?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.600.
An applicant is eligible to apply for the LAC if they meet the following requirements:
Hold a valid certificate (in good standing) as a CAC III or meet all requirements of a CAC III.
Possess a Masters or Doctoral degree in the social sciences or an equivalent program from a regionally accredited institution (See Section 14.600, B, 2).
Possess a Masters degree with any of the following designations: human services, counseling, agency counseling, community counseling, guidance and counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, counseling psychology, human psychology, educational psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, and behavioral studies.
Possess a Doctoral degree with any of the following designations: human services, counseling, agency counseling, guidance and counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, human psychology, educational psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, and behavioral studies.
Pass the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) examination administered by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals [incorrectly referred to in the Board Rules as the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)] or by the successor of that organization. The examination must have been taken after the Masters degree (used for licensure) has been conferred.
Please see application for additional processing requirements

Q: What qualifies as work experience hours for certification?
A: See the Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Rule 14.230.
Work experience is defined as paid or unpaid, clinically supervised, alcohol and drug specific counseling and related activities. This experience does not have to be from a DBH licensed program, but the nature of your work experience must fit the description of addiction counselor duties and you must receive the required number of hours per month of direct clinical supervision. In cases where your position was not specifically in an addiction treatment setting, yet a significant percentage of your work dealt with substance abuse issues, that percentage of your hours may count towards the work requirement, providing it meets the above criteria.

Q: What if I am not working full time, how many supervision hours do I need per month?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.230.
Supervision hours may be prorated according to the number of hours worked, but may not be less than one hour per month.
Examples:
A counselor-in-training needs 3 hours of supervision per month for full time work or a 40-hour week.
The same person would need 1.5 hours per month for a 20-hour week.
The same person would need 1 hour per month for a 13-hour week.
The same person would need 1 hour per month for a 3-hour week.

Q: Can work hours from another state count towards your CAC hours?
A: Yes, if those hours are documented on the DORA Work Verification Form and the hours were supervised by someone with a credential that is the equivalent of a CAC III or LAC.

Q: How do I document my work experience hours and the hours of supervision that have been provided to me by a qualified supervisor?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.230.
See Work Verification Form Instructions in the application packet for either a CAC or LAC.

Q: When applicants first apply, must they apply for CAC I even if they know they meet the requirements for a CAC II?
A: No. Applicants may apply for whatever level they are eligible for.

Q: How do applicants receive a certification packet?
A: You can obtain your application packet from the DORA website: http://www.dora.state.co.us/mental-health/cacprogram.htm

Q: How do applicants sign up for required or elective CAC trainings?
A: See the list of training facilities on the DORA website at: http://www.dora.state.co.us/mental-health/

Q: Are college courses acceptable in lieu of DBH approved class requirements?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.220.
Yes, but only for some DBH required classes. See the College Equivalency information on the DORA website for further information.

Q: Do you provide a pre-evaluation of college course requirements so that I know what courses will be accepted for CAC certification or licensing?
A: No pre-approval will be conducted by DORA. The evaluation will be done when the application and fee is received at DORA. See above for information concerning equivalency of non-DBH approved courses or classes.

Q: Where can I find an approved CAC supervisor?
A: You may find a supervisor in the phone book, or contact any DBH approved treatment program. The Division of Registrations does not keep an approved supervisor list. If you are unable to find a supervisor, please contact the Clinical Training Coordinator at DBH,     by telephone at (303) 866-7480.

Q: I just paid for my certification and now I have to pay a renewal fee. Why?
A: Your application fee for certification is separate from the renewal fee of that certification. Fees cannot be commingled or pro-rated under Colorado law. The application fee is a one-time fee paid at the       time of application for a license or certificate or upgrade to a new level of certification. All licenses, certifications, and registrations expire on August 31st of odd-numbered years. However, new applicants who are issued a license within 120 days of the upcoming renewal expiration date will be issued a license with the subsequent expiration date.

Q: Do I need to complete the jurisprudence exam with every application?
A: The general rule is that each time you submit an application to DORA, you must take and pass the most current Jurisprudence exam.  However, if you have previously taken and passed the exam, AND you have your certification, you do not need to provide a Jurisprudence exam with your upgrade application PROVIDED that the current version of the exam is the same version you took and passed previously.  Please See the bottom of the exam itself to find the version numbers and check with the most current version posted on the DORA website.

Q: How many times can I take the mail-in Jurisprudence Examination?
A: The mail-in Jurisprudence examination may be taken as often as you need for a passing score of 80%. The examination is designed to test your knowledge about routine and complex practice scenarios. Each question has one correct answer. It is "open-book" to encourage the development of personal resources to address practice questions. The purpose of the exam is to acquaint the applicant with the law that regulates the practice of psychotherapy in Colorado and encourage ethical practice.
Click below for the most recent Jurisprudence examination: http://www.dora.state.co.us/mental-health/JurisExam.pdf

Q: What resources do I need to complete the Jurisprudence examination?
A: The current Colorado Mental Health Statute, the Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards, the NAADAC Code of Ethics, and standards of practice as set forth in a free publication from SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, TAP 21). The CAC I required class in ethics includes jurisprudence and is a good overview of information needed for successfully taking the exam.
Click below for resources on the DORA website for the exam. http://www.dora.state.co.us/mental-health/jurisresources.htm

Q: What is NAADAC and SACC?
A: NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, is the largest membership organization serving addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused health care professionals, who specialize in addiction prevention, treatment, recovery support and education. For more information: www.naadac.org.
SACC is The Society of Addiction Counselors of Colorado, an affiliate of NAADAC. SACC is an association of concerned professionals seeking to improve the quality of substance abuse and other addiction treatment services through education, training, and advocacy in Colorado. When you join NAADAC in Colorado you automatically become a member of SACC. For more information: www.sacc.cc

Q: What are the NAADAC NCAC II and MAC exams?
A: The NCAC II and MAC are two of NAADAC’s national exams. The NCAC II exam is offered to those individuals who hold a Bachelors degree and the MAC exam is offered to those individuals who hold a Masters degree.

Q: How do applicants apply to take the NAADAC NCAC II or MAC exam?
A: Call the Society of Addiction Counselors of Colorado (SACC) representative at (303) 763-7198 to receive an application and information concerning the NCAC II and MAC or go to their website at www.sacc.cc and click on National Testing Information.

Q: Is national certification automatically gained when taking and passing the NAADAC NCAC II or MAC exams?
A: No, you can take the exam only, or take the exam and request credentialing. The fees are different for these two actions. For questions regarding national certification call NAADAC at (800) 548-0497 or visit their website at www.naadac.org.

Q: Can you test out of any of the CAC required classes?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.300 (F) 1-2. There are only two CAC required classes that are eligible for testing out: Addiction Counseling Skills and Client Record Management.
In order to waive the Addiction Counseling Skills class of 21 hours, you must take and pass the NAADAC NCAC II or MAC exam to demonstrate your knowledge base AND submit a videotape demonstrating your counseling skills.
In order to waive the Client Record Management class of 14 hours, you must take and pass the NAADAC NCAC II exam. Information about the exams and the videotaping requirement can be found on the website of SACC (Society of Addiction Counselors of Colorado) at www.sacc.cc by clicking on “Videotape Alternative to Addiction Skills Class Requirement” or call 303-763-7198 to hear a voice message.

Q: I let my CAC lapse, now what do I need to do to reinstate it?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.740.
Please see the DORA website for the reinstatement application. http://www.dora.state.co.us/mental-health/cac/CACreinstatement.pdf

Q. Do I need special training to facilitate DUI groups?
A: There is no formal certification program to facilitate DUI Level I Education and DUI Level II Education and Therapy groups. However, you must have a CAC II or above to facilitate these groups. If the agency where you work uses either the Driving With Care (DWC) curriculum or the Impaired Driver Education Program (IDEP) curriculum you must take the specialized training for these two curriculums. Agencies may use a curriculum they have designed provided it has been approved by DBH. If this is the case, it is expected that you will receive on-the-job training in delivering that curriculum.

Q: How do counselors become approved domestic violence providers?
A: Call the Domestic Violence Board at (303) 239-4528, or visit their website at www.cdpsweb.state.co.us/odvsom.

Q: What are Elective classes?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.500 (F)6 & 14.600.(F)4.
Elective classes are defined as “DBH approved training related to clinical issues” and shall be met through: DBH approved training, or official transcripts of courses in applied human service disciplines obtained from accredited institutions of higher education equivalent to an DBH approved elective training.

Q: Do I get any credit for having a clinical Masters degree or a clinical Doctoral degree?
A: See Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards 14.400(D)5 & 14.500(D)6.
When applying for a CAC II, individuals holding a clinical Masters degree or clinical Doctoral degree must complete only 2000 hours of clinically supervised work experience instead of the 3000 hour requirement for those without a clinical Masters or doctorate degree.
When applying for a CAC III, those holding a clinical Masters degree must document only 4000 hours of clinically supervised work experience. Those holding a clinical doctorate must document only 3000 hours of clinically supervised work experience.

Revised 10-2008

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Professional Counselors

Q. Is there a form to show that an internship/practicum in counseling/psychology, completed as part of the graduate degree program, was comprised of at least 700 clock hours?
A. No.  If the program is not approved by the Board or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a letter is required from the department from which the degree was received stating that the practicum and/or internship in counseling/psychology encompassed at least 700 clock hours.

Q. Does the education equivalency worksheet always need to be completed?
A. Not if an applicant graduated from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) approved program or the educational program has been approved as meeting educational requirements by the Board.  If degree is from a non-CACREP approved program, the applicant must complete the worksheet and attach any supporting documentation.

Q. How long may the results of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) be used for licensing purposes?
A. Five years from the date it was last taken.

Q. What does the Board consider psychotherapy experience hours (or, what can be included as experience hours)?
A. Pursuant to C.R.S. 12-43-201 (9),"Psychotherapy" means the treatment, diagnosis, testing, assessment, or counseling in a professional relationship to assist individuals or groups to alleviate mental disorders, understand unconscious or conscious motivation, resolve emotional, relationship, or attitudinal conflicts, or modify behaviors which interfere with effective emotional, social, or intellectual functioning.   Psychotherapy follows a planned procedure of intervention which takes place on a regular basis over a period of time, or in the cases of testing, assessment, or brief psychotherapy, it can be a single intervention.  Another suggested reference is C.R.S. 12-43-601 (5).

Q. Who is considered an appropriate supervisor for post-degree supervised experience, and do applicants need to submit a plan for post-degree supervised experience?
A. The Board will accept, as an appropriate supervisor, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Psychologist who is currently licensed in the jurisdiction in which the applicant is completing the experience requirement.  The applicant is responsible for determining the experience requirement is done under the direction of an appropriate supervisor.  No plan is required. 

Q. How many hours of post-degree experience and supervision are required, and
A. The total amount to be completed over a minimum of 24 months is 2,000 hours of experience and 100 hours of supervision (done concurrently). Of the 100 required supervision hours, 70 hours must be individual, face-to-face supervision. The Board does not require that applicants accumulate a certain number of hours per month. IMPORTANT: Post-degree supervised experience may not begin until the degree is completed/conferred and the applicant has obtained a counseling position with appropriate supervision. If requirements for the degree were completed before degree was conferred (e.g., completed requirements in December, but degree was not conferred until June of the following year), applicant must provide a letter from the department head attesting to that fact. See Rule 17 of the LPC Board Rules for more specific information.

Q. Can applicants take more than two years to complete post-degree supervised experience?
A- Yes. Applicants have five years to complete all requirements for licensure from the date they make application with the Board.

Q. Do the post-degree supervision hours have to be complete before an application may be submitted?
A. No. Current rules do not require that supervision hours be complete prior to submitting an application. We ask that all applicants hold all post-degree experience/supervision forms and submit once hours have been completed.

Q. May post-degree experience requirements be obtained in less than 24 months (two years)?
A. No. The 2000 hours of post-degree experience must be obtained in such a manner that they are uniformly distributed over a minimum of 24 months.

Q. Does Colorado have reciprocity with any state?
A. No.  Colorado has "licensure by endorsement" which requires the applicant to send a verification of licensure form to the state of current licensure.  An authorized representative of the board/program completes the form, verifying what requirements were met for licensure in that state.  Upon receipt of the verification form, if the requirements are equivalent to those required for initial Colorado licensure, the Colorado Board will accept them as such, and upon receipt of an application, fee, and proof of completion of an approved jurisprudence workshop, issue a license.  If the state the applicant is licensed in does not verify requirements met, or if the requirements are not equivalent,  the applicant must provide appropriate documentation proving equivalency of such. 

Q. When is it appropriate to apply for licensure by examination or endorsement?
A. Typically, initial applicants apply for licensure by examination.  The only time applicants would apply for licensure by endorsement is when they already have an equivalent license/registration in another state.

Q. What is the jurisprudence workshop requirement?
A. All applicants for Licensed Professional Counselor shall pass a Board-developed mail-in jurisprudence law and ethics examination as one of the requirements for licensure.

Q. What is
A. The Mail-In Jurisprudence Examination is designed to test your knowledge, skills, and resources to solve routine and complex practice scenarios. Each question has one correct answer. It is "open book" to encourage the development of personal resources to address practice questions.

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Marriage and Family Therapists

Q. Why apply for an LMFT license versus the other mental health licensures offered in Colorado?
A. LMFT is a specialized licensure in marriage and family therapy and requires training and experience specifically in/with families, couples, etc.

Q. How many hours of post-degree supervised experience do applicants need?
A. The minimum requirements are:
The two years of post-master's practice in individual and marriage and family therapy under supervision must include at least 2,000 hours of practice, including at least 1, 500 hours of face-to-face direct client contact, 1,000 of which shall be with couples and families for the purpose of diagnosis, assessment and intervention obtained in such a manner that they are reasonably uniformly distributed over a minimum of 24 months.

The one year of post-doctoral practice in individual and marriage and family therapy under supervision must include at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face direct client contact, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face direct client contact with couples and families for the purpose of diagnosis, assessment and intervention obtained in such a manner that they are reasonably uniformly distributed over a minimum of 12 months.

For each 1,000 hours of supervised practice in individual and marriage and family therapy, applicants must receive a minimum of 50 hours of supervision. A minimum of the 25 of the 50 hours must be face-to-face individual supervision. The remaining hours up to the 50 hours may be by group supervision. No other modes of supervision will be accepted.

Q. Which exam does the State Board require for licensure and how often is the examination given?
A. The Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) developed and owns the exam which Colorado requires for licensure. The State has contracted with Professional Examination Services (PES) to administer the exam electronically three times a year.

Q. Are there examination study materials, or workshops available?
A. There is a workshop available - call (720) 859-0464 for information.  The Board does not endorse any preparatory manuals or programs.

Q. Who can supervise applicants for licensure?
A. An approved AAMFT supervisor and other supervisors as approved by the Board.

Q. What does the Board look for when approving supervisors who are not LMFTs?
A. A supervisor should be licensed under the Mental Health Act at the highest level and have specific training in the marriage and family area, with at least 5 of the last 10 years experience working with couples and families.  All requests for approval of supervisors are considered on a case-by-case basis.  Approval must be requested and received before starting supervision.

Q. How long do applicants have to complete all requirements for licensure?
A. Five years from the date of application to the Board.

Q. Does Colorado have reciprocity with any state?
A. No. Colorado has "licensure by endorsement" which requires a verification of licensure form be sent, by the applicant, to the state they are currently licensed in. That Board in turn, would complete the form, verifying what requirements were met for licensure in that state. Upon receipt of the verification form, if the requirements are equivalent, the Board would accept them as such, and upon receipt of an application, fee, and proof of completion of a Board developed mail-in jurisprudence examination, issue a license.

Q. When do applicants/therapists need to be listed in the Grievance Board Database?
A. Pursuant to 12-43-702.5, applicants not currently licensed or certified as a mental health provider in Colorado must list themselves as unlicensed psychotherapists in the Grievance Board Database. This includes applicants/therapists who are completing their two year experience and supervision.
Psychologists

Q. Do applicants need to complete the education equivalency worksheet?
A. If the applicant's doctoral degree was obtained from an APA (American Psychological Association) approved program, no.  If the applicant's degree is from a non-APA approved program, the applicant must complete the educational worksheet and attach any supporting documentation (i.e., description/syllabi).

Q. What does the Board consider psychology/psychotherapy (or, what can applicants include as supervised experience hours for licensure)?
A. Pursuant to C.R.S. 12-43-303 (1), the "practice of psychology" is defined as the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, treatment, or modification of behavior, cognitions, or emotions by the application of psychological, behavioral, and physical principles, methods, or procedures, for the purpose of preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior, cognitions, or emotions and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health. For more information see C.R.S. 12-43-303 and Rule 17 (c) of the Colorado Psychologist Board Rules.

Q. Who would be considered an appropriate supervisor for my post-degree supervised experience?
A. A psychologist licensed in the state where the supervision was provided would be considered an acceptable supervisor. A licensed psychiatrist who is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry, in addition to being licensed in the state where the supervision was provided, is acceptable for a up to 25% of your post-doctoral supervised experience. Refer to the Colorado Psychologist Board Rules.

Q. How many hours of post-degree experience and supervision do applicants need, and when can they start accumulating it?
A. . The total minimum amount spread out over a minimum of 12 months is 1,500 hours of experience and 75 hours of supervision, 50 hours of which must be individual (face-to-face) supervision; the remaining supervision hours may be group. Post-doctoral supervised experience may not begin until the doctoral degree is conferred and applicants have obtained a counseling position with appropriate supervision. If all requirements for the doctoral degree were completed prior to the conferral date on the transcript, the Board will accept a letter from the department head (or someone of similar status) attesting to that fact, whereupon the applicant could begin counting post-doctoral supervised experience from the earlier date.

Q. Is it appropriate to apply for licensure by examination or endorsement?
A. If the applicant is licensed in another jurisdiction/state that did not require passage of the EPPP national examination, the applicant would need to apply for licensure by examination. Refer to the Colorado Psychologist Board Rules.

Q. When do applicants/therapists need to be listed in the Grievance Board Database Directory?
A. Psychologist applicants who are completing their one-year post degree experience and supervision must either register as a psychologist candidate pursuant to 12-43-304(7) OR become listed as an unlicensed psychotherapist in the Grievance Board Database pursuant to 12-43-702.5.

Q. When can I expect to receive my EPPP results?
A. Within 4-6 weeks of the administration of the examination.

Q. How can I find out if my program is APA accredited?
A. Inquire with the college or university to determine if the psychology program is APA accredited.

Q. Does the Psychology Board have a list of non-APA accredited programs approved for Licensure in Colorado?
A. No. All non-APA programs must meet the Board Rules on Regional Accreditation and the equivalency program and course requirements. Please read Rule 17 of the Psychology Board Rules in its entirety before submitting an application for equivalency of a non-APA approved program.

Q. Are supervised work experience hours completed in another state acceptable for licensure in Colorado?
A. Yes, provided they are obtained under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or the equivalent as defined in Board Rule 17.

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Social Workers

Q. What are the requirements for social work licensure?
A. The requirements for each type of social work license are listed below.

Licensed Social Worker (LSW): Requires a Master's degree in social work from a CSWE approved school and passage of the Masters, Advanced Generalist, or Clinical level ASWB exam.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): requires a Master's degree in social work from a CSWE approved program, passage of the Advanced Generalist or Clinical level ASWB exam, completion of two (2) years, 3360 hours post degree supervised experience with at least 96 hours of supervision (48 hours of which must be individual supervision).

All candidates for social work licensure must also submit a completed, signed application, submit the appropriate fee, and take and pass a Board-developed jurisprudence examination.

Q. Do I have to submit a Soial Work application to Colorado prior to taking the exam?
A. Yes, you must submit an application, fee, and an official transcript in a sealed envelope for approval to take the exam. Passage of the exam is required to obtain licensure.

Q. Does Colorado have reciprocity?
A. Colorado does not have reciprocity with any state, however, licensure may be obtained through licensure by endorsement. Licensure by endorsement requires the applicant to send a verification of licensure form to the state where the applicant is currently licensed.  That State Board, in turn, would complete the form, verifying what requirements were met for licensure in that state.  Upon receipt of the verification form, if the requirements are equivalent for the level of licensure requested, the Colorado Board would accept them as such, and upon receipt of an application, fee, and proof of completion of an approved jurisprudence workshop, issue a license.  If the state the applicant is licensed in does not verify requirements met, and/or requirements are not equivalent,  the applicant must provide documentation proving such. Read Rule 14 in the Colorado Social Work Examiners Rules for more information.

Q. Can applicants transfer post-degree supervised experience and post-degree supervised hours from another state?
A. Post-degree supervised experience and post-degree supervised hours may be accepted from another state if:

1. Experience and supervision were done concurrently.
2. After July 1, 1998 the hours were provided by and LCSW, LISW, or equivalent.
3. All hours are documented on a Colorado State Social Work Post-Degree Experience and Supervision Form.

Q. Can post-degree work experience and supervision hours completed in another state be used for licensing purposes in Colorado?
A. Yes. Work experience obtained under the supervision of an LCSW or equivalent is acceptable.

Q. Must post-degree work experience requirements be completed before taking the Advanced or Clinical Social Work Examinations?
A. No.

Q. What is considered a passing examination score in Colorado?
A. A passing score of 70 is required for all levels of licensure examinations.

Q. Can I take the Advanced or Clinical Examination and receive the Licensed Social Worker License?
A. Yes. A passing score of 70 on either the Advanced Generalist or Clinical examination can be submitted to fulfill the examination requirement for licensure as a Clinical Social Worker.

Q. How often may a social work license applicant take the Advanced or Clinical Examinations?
A. The Advanced or Clinical Examination may be retaken no sooner than 90 days from the most recent administration of such examination to the failing candidate.

Q. How many hours of post-degree experience and supervision do applicants need?
A. The minimum requirements to be completed over a 24-month period are 3,360 hours of work experience and 96 hours of supervision, of which 48 hours must be face-to-face contact.

Q. Are post-degree supervision forms required from each supervisor?
A. Yes. If multiple supervisors are used to account for post-degree supervision experience, each supervisor must complete a supervision form.

Q. When do social work applicants/therapists need to be listed in the Grievance Board Database Directory?
A. Social Work applicants who are completing their two-year post degree experience and supervision must either be licensed as a social worker (LSW) OR become listed as an unlicensed psychotherapist in the Grievance Board Database pursuant to 12-43-702.5.

Q. How can I get licensed as a school social worker?
A. Information regarding school social workers must be obtained from the Department of Education. Their phone number is (303) 866-6600.

Q. What is the Board-developed mail-in jurisprudence examination?
A. The jurisprudence examination educates applicants on the Mental Health Statute for the practice of psychotherapy specifically in Colorado.

Q. How often may a social work license applicant take the mail-in Jurisprudence Examination?
A. The mail-in Jurisprudence Examination may be taken as often as the applicant needs to take it to Pass. There are no restrictions on the number of times it may be taken.

Q. When are results of the mail-in Jurisprudence Examination reported to the applicant?
A. The Office of Licensing within the Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Registrations, sends notice to applicants who fail the Jurisprudence Examination with information from the website on downloading and retaking the examination. Notice is not provided to applicants who pass the examination as they are licensed if eligible.

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Consumer Protection