To become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, candidates must follow a structured pathway that involves education, supervision, and examination. Below we will review the requirements:

1. Educational Requirements

Prospective LPCs in Colorado must complete a graduate-level degree in counseling or a closely related field. The program must be accredited by a recognized body, such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and should include a minimum of 60 semester hours.

Core coursework typically includes:

• Human growth and development
• Counseling theories and techniques
• Group counseling
• Ethics and professional orientation
• Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders

2. Registering as a Provisional Licensee

Before accumulating clinical hours, candidates must apply for and obtain a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) credential. This designation allows individuals to practice under supervision while working toward full licensure.

As an applicant, you must:

• Submit an application to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
• Provide proof of educational credentials
• Pay the required application fee
• Complete the Jurisprudence Exam

3. Clinical Supervision Requirements

Supervised clinical experience is a cornerstone of the licensure process. Colorado mandates that LPC candidates complete at least 2,000 hours of post-degree, supervised professional practice. Here’s a breakdown of the key supervision requirements:

Supervised Hours

• A minimum of 2,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience is required.
• Of these, at least 1,500 hours must involve direct client contact providing psychotherapy or counseling services.

Supervision Specifications

• Candidates must receive at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision.
• Supervision must be provided by a qualified clinical supervisor, who is typically a licensed LPC, psychologist, clinical social worker, or other approved mental health professional.
• Group supervision is permissible but cannot exceed 50 hours of the total required supervision.

Documentation

• Supervised experience must be documented and verified by the clinical supervisor.
• Candidates must maintain detailed records of supervision sessions, including dates, duration, and content discussed.

4. Examination

After completing the supervision and experience requirements, candidates must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or an equivalent exam approved by DORA. The exam assesses the candidate’s knowledge and readiness to practice as a professional counselor.

5. Applying for Full Licensure

Once all requirements are met, candidates can apply for full LPC licensure by submitting:

• Proof of completed supervised experience
• Passing examination scores
• A completed licensure application with the appropriate fee