Colorado Residents: Notice to Clients

The practice of licensed or registered persons in the field of psychotherapy is regulated by the Mental Health Licensing Section of the Division of Professions and Occupations. The Board of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies can be reached at:

Click here if you wish to file a complaint online.

The following information involves requirements for licensure, registration, and certification of mental health professionals in the state of Colorado:

A Registered Psychotherapist is a psychotherapist listed in the State's database and is authorized by law to practice psychotherapy in Colorado, but is not licensed by the state and is not required to satisfy any standardized educational or testing requirements to obtain a registration from the state.

A Certified Addiction Counselor I (CAC I) must be a high school graduate or equivalent, complete required training hours and 1,000 hours of supervised experience.

A Certified Addiction Counselor II (CAC II) must be a high school graduate or equivalent, complete the CAC I requirements, and obtain additional required training hours, 2,000 additional hours of supervised experience, and pass a national exam.

A Certified Addiction Counselor III (CAC III) must have a bachelor's degree in behavioral health, complete CAC II requirements, and complete additional required training hours, 2,000 additional hours of supervised experience, and pass a national exam.

A Licensed Addiction Counselor must have a clinical master's degree, meet the CAC III requirements, and pass a national exam.

A Licensed Social Worker must hold a master's degree from a graduate school of social work and pass an examination in social work.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker must hold a master's or doctorate degree from a graduate school of social work, practiced as a social worker for at least two years, and pass an examination in social work.

A Psychologist Candidate, a Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate, and a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate must hold the necessary licensing degree and be in the process of completing the required supervision for licensure.

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist must hold a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family counseling, have at least two years post-master's or one year post-doctoral practice, and pass an exam in marriage and family therapy.

A Licensed Professional Counselor must hold a master's or doctoral degree in professional counseling, have at least two years post-master's or one year postdoctoral practice, and pass an exam in in professional counseling.

A Licensed Psychologist must hold a doctorate degree in psychology, have one year of post-doctoral supervision, and pass an examination in psychology.

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