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Colorado licenses Mental Health Counselors/Therapists as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Applicants generally complete a qualifying graduate degree, accrue post-degree supervised clinical experience, and pass a national examination. Verify current education, supervised-experience, examination, renewal, and continuing education requirements directly with the Colorado Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners.
A master's or doctoral degree in professional counseling or a related field from a regionally accredited institution; Colorado uses the Center for Credentialing & Education for education-equivalency evaluations. Verify the specific graduate-hour and coursework requirements with the Colorado Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners.
Applicants must pass the Colorado Jurisprudence Examination and a national counseling examination administered through NBCC (Board summaries reference the National Counselor Examination, NCE). Verify the current exam requirement with the Colorado Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners.
After the qualifying degree, applicants complete a period of post-master's supervised practice, which counts toward licensure only while registered as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC). Verify the exact required hours, direct-client-contact minimum, and supervision hours with the Colorado Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners.
Colorado participates in the Counseling Compact. It was enacted via SB22-077 (2022); confirm whether the privilege to practice is operational. License portability is also available by endorsement. Verify current requirements with the Colorado Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Colorado Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Colorado. Each links to its own full state guide — always verify current requirements with the relevant official board.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and should not be treated as legal, licensing, or employment advice. Counselor licensing laws, board rules, education and supervised-experience requirements, examinations, and renewal requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements directly with the official state counseling licensing board or applicable regulatory agency.