Counseling Licensure in Colorado

The regulations surrounding Counseling licensure in Colorado follows a specific set of steps that you must take to ensure you progress towards your license as you meet each requirement. As laws are fluid and can change with legislative sessions, it is always a good idea to take the time to review the current rule set at the Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners (CSBLPCE) website which you can find here:

The steps to achieve your title as a Licensed Professional Counselor you will need to complete the following requirements in order:

1. Fulfill the required educational component of a Master’s in Counseling from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program.
2. During your advanced degree program, either Master’s or Ph.D., you will need to complete an internship or practicum.
3. Apply to be eligible to complete work experience portion.
4. Complete the necessary supervised work experience.
5. Apply for and pass the National Counselors Exam as well as the Colorado Jurisprudence exam.

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Educational Requirements

Colorado has the following educational requirements:

• Earn you Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, Social Work or Human Services. The more closely related the degree the better your chance of being accepted into a Master’s program.
• Apply for and be accepted into a Master of Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy or School Counseling program at a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited university.

Practicum or Internship

During your Master’s or Ph.D. program you will need to complete an internship or practicum.

• You must complete a practicum or internship that equates to 700 hours of fieldwork in a mental health setting.

Supervised Experience

Once you have your Master or Ph.D. in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy or School Counseling and have completed your practicum or internship. You will need to go on to the supervised experience phase.

• Apply with the Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners (CSBLPCE) to earn your supervised work experience.
• This requires that you complete an online Healthcare Professionals Profile here:
• Sign an affidavit of eligibility verifying that you can legally work in Colorado.
• Complete 2000 hours of supervised work experience in mental health.
• If you have your Ph.D. this is reduced to 1000 hours required.
• You must have 50 hours of supervision per 1000 hours you complete, of which 35 hours must be face-to-face supervision.

Apply for and Take Your Exams

After you have completed your supervised experience portion, you must move on to the examinations.

• Apply with the Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners (CSBLPCE) to sit for your exams.
• Pass the National Counselors Exam with a score acceptable to the CSBLPCE.
• Pass the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam with a score acceptable to the CSBLPCE.

As always it is considered an excellent idea to take the time to familiarize yourself with all aspects of licensure in Colorado by an in depth examination of their website here: