Emergency and Permanent Rulemaking Hearing – October 21, 2022
The State Board of Unlicensed Psychotherapists will hold an Emergency and Permanent Rulemaking Hearing to allow stakeholders a final opportunity to provide testimony before the Board considers adopting multiple proposed new rules to implement Colorado House Bill 22-1284 (Concerning updates to state surprise billing laws to facilitate the implementation of surprise billing protections, and aligning state law with the federal “No Surprises Act”); Executive Order D 2022-032 (Directing State Agencies to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care in Colorado); and Executive Order D 2022-034 (Protecting Colorado’s Workforce and Expanding Licensing Opportunities). The Board will consider adopting Rules 1.17, 1.18, 1.19, and Appendix B on a permanent basis, and in addition, will consider an emergency adoption of Rules 1.18 and 1.19, to comply with the reporting requirements of the Executive Orders.
Permanent Rulemaking Hearing – October 15, 2021
The State Board of Unlicensed Psychotherapists held a virtual Permanent Rulemaking Hearing on October 15, 2021, that allowed stakeholders a final opportunity to provide feedback before the Board considered adopting revisions to the Rule 1.8(B), to implement Colorado Senate Bill 21-077 (Concerning the elimination of verification of an individual’s lawful presence in the United States as a requirement for individual credentialing)
Joint Stakeholder Meeting – July 26, 2021
The Division of Professions and Occupations held a VIRTUAL Joint Stakeholder Meeting to receive feedback on the implementation of Colorado Senate Bill 21-077 (Concerning the elimination of verification of an individual’s lawful presence in the United States as a requirement for individual credentialing), and subsequent proposed draft rules for each Board/Program.
Permanent Rulemaking Hearing – April 16, 2021
The State Board of Unlicensed Psychotherapists will hold a VIRTUAL Permanent Rulemaking Hearing to allow stakeholders a final opportunity to provide feedback before the Board considers adopting revisions to Rule 1.6 to implement Colorado House Bill 19-1129 (Prohibiting mental health care providers from engaging in conversion therapy with a patient under eighteen years of age); and Rule 1.16 and Appendix A to correct language that conflicts with portions of the statutes in Colorado Senate Bill 20-102 (Concerning required disclosures to patients regarding formal actions based on sexual misconduct).
What Is An Unlicensed Psychotherapist?
An Unlicensed Psychotherapist (UP) is a mental health professional registered with the State of Colorado for the practice of psychotherapy. Registration is one of five types of regulation for mental health professionals under Colorado law. Applicants for Registration must prove their identity, file their professional contact information, degrees earned, therapeutic orientation, and years of experience. Additionally, applicants must pass a Jurisprudence test on Colorado Mental Health Law and are screened for any prior disciplinary actions, arrests, or criminal convictions in any state. Unlicensed Psychotherapists are required to follow the state’s mandatory disclosure guidelines with clients and follow HIPAA privacy requirements with client records. Unlicensed Psychotherapists are prohibited from the activities listed in CO Rev Stat § 12-43-222 (2016). Like the other five mental health disciplines, Unlicensed Psychotherapists have a regulatory board to make rules about clinical practice, process complaints, and administer discipline if appropriate.
Additional information about Unlicensed Psychotherapists in the state of Colorado can be found at here.
The Board of Unlicensed Psychotherapists Rules are found in CRR734-1.
New Law Affects Unlicensed Psychotherapists
Recent legislative changes will affect the registered psychotherapist profession. HB20-1206 Sunset Mental Health Professionals includes a provision that changes the title “registered psychotherapist” to “unlicensed psychotherapist” for all current psychotherapists on the registry, and discontinues the registration of any new psychotherapists. In addition, the new law states that any person practicing psychotherapy must be registered before the effective date of this new provision. The new law will go into effect immediately upon Governor Polis’ signature.
Please be advised the Division of Professions and Occupations will no longer accept any new applications for registered psychotherapists after the bill goes into effect, and only those already on the registry can lawfully practice psychotherapy in Colorado.
If you have questions, please send them to [email protected].
Forms: All Unlicensed Psychotherapist applications and forms are available below:
Communication from the Division: The Division of Professions and Occupations’ primary communication is via email. Please be sure to include your current email address on your application to receive important information about your application status and process.
License Expiration Bump Period for New Applicants: All new applicants who are issued a license within 120 days of the upcoming renewal expiration date will be issued a license with the next expiration date.
License Renewal Information: All Unlicensed Psychotherapist registrations expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years. View your expiration date on your online account. Please note that renewals open approximately six weeks prior to the expiration date.
About CPA
The Colorado Psychological Association (CPA) advances the profession of psychology through advocacy and education for the promotion of psychological health and well-being.
Founded on October 23, 1946, CPA aims to represent all sectors and specialty areas within the field of psychology. Membership and participation in CPA is one way Colorado psychologists demonstrate their commitment to psychology as a vital profession of the highest standards.
CPA has hundreds of active members throughout Colorado. Thanks to the diversity of our members, CPA is able to respond to the mental health needs of Colorado’s citizens. When you join CPA, you become a part of statewide and national efforts to increase public knowledge of the unique qualifications and expertise of psychologists, and to advocate for psychology and mental health.
Many people need the support of a psychologist at some point in their life. Psychologists help individuals, couples, families, and organizations confront a variety of problems such as stress, chronic illnesses, trauma, learning difficulties, child and elder abuse, brain injuries, mental illness, unhealthy workplaces, family discord and divorce, and forensic evaluations.
The Colorado Psychological Association verifies our members’ credentials and good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs. CPA members are trained in treating a variety of different populations.
The Board of Directors of CPA would like to be clear that we welcome people of all faiths and religious backgrounds inclusive of race, ethnicity, national origin, and immigration status. Additionally, we remain committed to upholding the APA Ethical Guidelines which make clear we must advocate for and protect the civil rights of others. We are steadfast in our commitment to standing with and as people; people of all races, ethnicities, immigration statuses, religions, genders, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, ages, education levels, abilities, and sizes. You are welcome here.
Mission
The Colorado Psychological Association advances the profession of psychology through advocacy and education for the promotion of psychological health and well-being.
Vision
To be the voice of psychology in the State of Colorado.
Our Values
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Protecting the public through the ethical practice of psychology
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Creating strong professional and social networks among psychologists
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Building and maintaining alliances with other professional organizations
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Diversity in the field of psychology
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Fostering Professional Development
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Promoting innovative healthcare and scientifically-supported practices
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Educating the public on the benefits of psychological services
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Service to the community
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Advocating for the profession of psychology and mental health in legislation and regulatory action
View Membership Information
Background on Colorado Mental Health Professions
Psychotherapy can be a helpful tool for many people. Yet, making the decision to engage in psychotherapy can be complicated for a number of reasons. CPA would like to help to make the process a little easier for those wondering about the different qualifications of professionals offering psychotherapy.
As a psychotherapy client, you have a right to be informed of the qualifications and credentials of the therapists with whom you work. This includes where the therapist studied, any degrees they earned and whether any supervised clinical training was completed. You also are entitled to know what license or registration the therapist has, and the qualifications that were required in order to obtain that license or registration.
In Colorado, the following list outlines the regulatory requirements applicable to mental health professionals:
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A Licensed Psychologist (PsyD or PhD) must hold a doctorate degree in psychology (typically 4 or more years of study) and have at least one year of post-doctoral supervision (oversight by a licensing board-approved professional).
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A Licensed Psychiatrist (MD) must hold a medical doctorate degree (typically 4 years of study) and complete 4 years of supervised postgraduate education (often referred to as a residency). Psychiatrists may prescribe medications.
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A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) must hold a masters degree in their profession (typically 2 years of study) and have two years of post-masters supervision.
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A Licensed Social Worker (LSW) must hold a masters degree in social work.
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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.
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A Certified Addiction Counselor I (CAC I) must be a high school graduate, and complete required training hours and 1000 hours of supervised experience. A CAC II must complete additional required training hours and 2,000 hours of supervised experience. A CAC III must have a bachelors degree in behavioral health, and complete additional required training hours and 2,000 hours of supervised experience.
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A Licensed Addiction Counselor must have a clinical masters degree and meet the CAC III requirements.
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A Registered Psychotherapist is registered with the State Board of Registered Psychotherapists, is not licensed or certified, and no degree, training or experience is required.
Additionally, you are entitled to receive information from your therapist about the methods of therapy, the techniques used, the expected duration of therapy, and the fee structure. You may stop your involvement in therapy at any time. You can seek a second opinion from another therapist at any time at your own expense.
It is also important to know that in a professional relationship (like a psychotherapy relationship), sexual intimacy is never appropriate and should be reported to the board that licenses, registers, or certifies the licensee, registrant or certificate holder.
In Colorado, the practice of psychotherapy is regulated by the CO State Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Any questions, concerns or complaints may be directed to the Mental Health Licensing Section of the Division of Registrations 303-894-7800.
Please feel free to talk with your psychotherapist at any time should you have any questions about any of the information outlined above. For more licensure information click here.
