How to become an LPC in Colorado

Most candidates follow this order, starting in their final semester of graduate school.

1. Finish a qualifying degree. A CACREP program qualifies, and if you enrolled after August 31, 2014, it must be at least 60 semester credits. Graduates of other programs have to establish equivalency.
2. Pass the jurisprudence exam and register as an LPCC through DORA’s Professional Counselor applications page. Since August 7, 2024, the exam comes before registration.
3. Choose a qualified supervisor and agree on how you’ll track your hours.
4. Build your practice and supervision hours over at least two years.
5. Pass the National Board for Certified Counselors exam. Students in their last semester can apply to sit for it directly.
6. Apply for your license. Your supervisor signs a verified statement of your completed practice under penalty of law.

LPCCs need 100 supervision hours at the 2,000-hour practice minimum. At least 50 must be individual, and up to 50 can be group or triadic. Group supervision can include no more than 10 supervisees per supervisor.

You may still see older numbers online. A previous version of the board rule required 35 individual hours per 1,000 practice hours, which is where “70 individual hours” comes from. The statute as amended in 2024 sets the minimum at 25 per 1,000.

The requirement is written per 1,000 practice hours. If you’ll log well past 2,000 hours, talk with your supervisor about the supervision total your application needs.

Consultation doesn’t count. The board’s rule says time under a consultation contract won’t be credited toward supervision requirements.

The board may accept a supervisor licensed in the jurisdiction where you practice as one of the following:

• Licensed professional counselor
• Licensed clinical social worker
• Marriage and family therapist
• Psychologist
• Licensed addiction counselor who has met the LPC education requirements or the equivalent

Professional counselors who supervise have extra requirements under 4 CCR 737-1.7, in effect since September 1, 2021:

• Three years or 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical experience as a counselor
• One qualifying credential: a two-credit graduate course in clinical supervision, six clock-hours of supervision training covering the required topics, Approved Clinical Supervisor certification, or a qualifying counseling doctorate
• Three professional development hours in clinical supervision each renewal period

Ask any supervisor you’re considering to show you how they meet the rule. Our supervisors are working therapists at one of the largest therapy practices in Colorado, and they’ll walk you through it.

At Colorado LPC Supervision, 100 supervision hours cost between $10,000 and $15,000, depending on how many are group hours. Our rates are $50 per group supervision hour and $150 per individual supervision hour, with no packages or required combos.

One online supervision group a month logs 24 group supervision hours a year, so two years gets you to 48 of the 50 group hours. Spread over 24 months, the $10,000 plan comes to a little over $410 a month.

If your employer provides some of your supervision, you may need far fewer paid hours. The board’s rule allows supervised practice under more than one supervisor.

Can LPC supervision be online in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado statute allows clinical supervision in person or by telesupervision. The board defines telesupervision as clinical supervision conducted through audio or video technology, such as videoconferencing or telephone.

Can I have more than one supervisor?

Yes. The board’s rule says supervised practice may involve more than one supervisor. Each supervisor needs to qualify and keep records of the exact hours they supervised.

Can a Licensed Addiction Counselor supervise my LPC hours?

Yes, if the LAC holds a valid license and has met the education requirements for an LPC or the equivalent. That provision took effect on August 7, 2024.

What happens if I don’t finish within three years of registering as an LPCC?

Your registration becomes subject to the state’s renewal, reinstatement and delinquency provisions. Before a second or later renewal, you’ll need to complete continuing professional competency hours.

Do old supervision hours expire?

Experience and supervision completed more than five years before your application won’t be accepted without a showing of good cause. Exam results also need to be less than five years old when you apply. Some exceptions apply to registered candidates, so check with DORA if your hours are older.