Colorado Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

In Colorado, individuals pursuing independent clinical practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) must first register as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC), complete required post-master’s supervised practice, and pass both a national examination and a state jurisprudence examination.

Colorado requires 2,000 hours of post-master’s supervised practice, including at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face direct client contact, completed over a minimum of 24 months. Both an NBCC examination and a Board-developed jurisprudence exam are required.

Colorado Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Details
Official Licensing Board	State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Initial/Associate License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC)
Total Supervised Hours Required	2,000 post-master’s hours
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	1,500 face-to-face direct client contact hours
Required National Exam(s)	National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) counselor certification examination
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	Yes — Board-developed jurisprudence examination required

The Path to Licensure in Colorado

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Applicants must earn:

• A master’s or doctoral degree in professional counseling or equivalent
  
• 60 semester credit hours (for individuals enrolled after August 31, 2014)
  

CACREP Accreditation: Applicants must graduate from a CACREP-accredited program or qualify through an educational equivalency pathway as defined in Board rule. Prospective applicants can explore Colorado counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited counseling programs.

Practicum / Field Experience Requirement: The degree program must include a minimum of 700 hours of supervised professional practice as part of the graduate program.

Step 2: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass:

• An NBCC counselor certification examination (NCE counseling exam)
  
• A Board-developed jurisprudence examination
  

Both examinations are required prior to LPC licensure.

Step 3: Register as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC)

Colorado requires individuals to practice under the designation of Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) while completing supervised experience.

• Supervised practice must occur under an approved supervisor
  
• Candidate practice is supervised practice and is not independent practice
  
• Supervision must be documented prior to licensure

Step 4: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

Applicants must complete:

• 2,000 hours of post-master’s supervised practice
  
• Including at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face direct client contact
  
• Over a minimum of 24 months
  

Supervision must be conducted by a qualified supervisor and documented in accordance with Board rules.

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Supervision & Ethics in Colorado

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Colorado?

Supervisors must:

• Be licensed as an LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or Psychologist in the jurisdiction where supervision occurred
  
• Have at least three years or 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical experience
  
• Meet supervision training requirements specified in Board rules
  

Are 1099 / Independent Contractor Roles Allowed for Candidates?

LPCC practice is supervised practice and not independent practice.

Telehealth Supervision Rules

Telesupervision is explicitly permitted under Board rules. Supervision may occur via electronic means as outlined in the applicable rule sections.

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Colorado

Pro Tip

Ensure that supervision meets the required 1,500 face-to-face direct client contact hours threshold within the 2,000 total hours. Not all supervised activities qualify as direct client contact.

Confirm that your supervisor meets the three-year or 3,000-hour post-graduate experience requirement and supervision training standards.

Warning

• The 2,000 post-master’s hours cannot be completed in fewer than 24 months.
  
• Only 1,500 hours may count as face-to-face direct client contact toward the required minimum.
  
• Independent practice is not permitted while registered as an LPCC.
  
• Failure to pass both the NBCC examination and the jurisprudence examination will prevent licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Colorado

Can I Start a Private Practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) in Colorado?

No. LPCC status permits only supervised practice. Independent practice is not permitted until full LPC licensure is granted.

How Long Does It Take to Become Fully Licensed in Colorado?

Colorado requires completion of 2,000 post-master’s supervised hours over a minimum of 24 months. The supervised experience cannot be completed in less than 24 months.

Does Colorado Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

Colorado requires graduation from a CACREP-accredited program or qualification through an educational equivalency pathway as defined in Board rules.

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