How many hours do I need for an LPC in Colorado?

at least two thousand hours of practice in counseling ... cannot be completed in fewer than twenty-four months (post-doctoral: one year)

How much supervision does an LPC in Colorado require?

50 hours per 1,000 practice hours (100 for 2,000); ≥25 of each 50 individual; 50 supervision hours for each 1,000 hours of supervised practice

Is there a time limit for completing the hours in Colorado?

Experience/supervision predating the application by more than 5 years not accepted absent good cause

Which exams are required for an LPC in Colorado?

NBCC counselor certification examination (NCE) + Colorado jurisprudence exam

Can I be supervised by video in Colorado?

Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum. Statute and rule both say supervised practice and the 25 individual hours per 1,000 may be in person or by telesupervision, defined as audio/video technology such as videoconferencing or telephone. No in-person share is set. The remaining 25 hours may be triadic or group (up to 1:10).

Colorado requirements

LPC requirements in Colorado

What it takes to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado: 2,000 supervised hours over at least 24 months post-master's (12 months post-doctoral), plus supervision, time limits, exams and whether you can be supervised by video. Every figure is sourced to the state board and dated.

Sourced to Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations)Checked September 25, 2026Not individually reviewed by a clinicianAbout this site

Licensed Professional Counselor (professional counselor) · Colorado · regulated by Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations) · high confidence

Pre-license credential	Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC)
Supervised experience	at least two thousand hours of practice in counseling ... cannot be completed in fewer than twenty-four months (post-doctoral: one year)
Direct client contact	1,500 hours face-to-face direct client contact
Supervision	50 hours per 1,000 practice hours (100 for 2,000); ≥25 of each 50 individual
Minimum time	24 months post-master's (12 months post-doctoral)
Time limit	Experience/supervision predating the application by more than 5 years not accepted absent good cause
Exams	NBCC counselor certification examination (NCE) + Colorado jurisprudence exam

Supervision

How much: 50 hours per 1,000 practice hours (100 for 2,000); ≥25 of each 50 individual
How often: 50 supervision hours for each 1,000 hours of supervised practice
Group supervision: Up to 25 of each 50 hours may be triadic or group (max 1 supervisor : 10 supervisees); no other modes accepted
Who may supervise: LPC, LCSW, LMFT, psychologist or LAC licensed where services performed; counselor-supervisors need 3 yrs/3,000 hrs post-grad experience + 2-credit course, 6-hr training, ACS, or CES doctorate

When hours count and what to keep

Before your degree: Not counted: experience after the date all degree requirements were completed
Paperwork: Verified statement on Board form signed by approved supervisor(s) attesting completion of supervised practice

Can you be supervised remotely in Colorado?

Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.

Video supervision: Statute and rule both say supervised practice and the 25 individual hours per 1,000 may be in person or by telesupervision, defined as audio/video technology such as videoconferencing or telephone. No in-person share is set. The remaining 25 hours may be triadic or group (up to 1:10).
Phone only: allowed
Supervisor licensed in Colorado? other: licensed in the jurisdiction where the applicant's services were performed (Colorado for Colorado practice). May be an LPC, LCSW, MFT, psychologist or LAC.
Supervisor credential: No registration. LPC supervisors need 3 years or 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical experience plus supervision training (2-credit graduate course, 6-hour training, CCE ACS, or a CES doctorate).
Supervisee cap: Group supervision capped at a ratio of 1 supervisor to 10 supervisees. No per-supervisor total cap found.
Board approval first: No supervision plan or approval. The associate may register as an LPC candidate (after the jurisprudence exam). The supervisor attests completion at licensure.
If you live outside Colorado: No rule on the associate's own location. Because the supervisor must be licensed in the jurisdiction where services are performed, work in Colorado needs a Colorado-licensed supervisor.

The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.

Recent and pending changes

SB 24-115 (eff. Aug 7, 2024) amended candidate registration (jurisprudence exam; 3-year renewal/CE rules). HB 24-1045 lets qualified LACs supervise. 4 CCR 737-1 current version effective Sept 14, 2025.

In the board’s own words

“Has at least two thousand hours of practice in counseling, including at least one thousand five hundred hours of face-to-face direct client contact” — C.R.S. § 12-245-604(1)(d)(II)✓ matched in the source

“For each one thousand hours of supervised practice in professional counseling, has received a minimum of fifty hours of supervision.” — C.R.S. § 12-245-604(1)(d)(III)✓ matched in the source

“cannot be completed in fewer than twenty-four months” — 4 CCR 737-1 Rule 1.14✓ matched in the source

“Experience and supervision requirements that predate the application by more than five (5) years will not be accepted by the Board absent a showing of good cause” — 4 CCR 737-1 Rule 1.14✓ matched in the source

““Supervision” means personal direction and responsible direction provided by a supervisor approved by the Board, which may be in-person or telesupervision.” — 4 CCR 737-1 Rules 1.7(D) and 1.14(C) (eff. 09/14/2025)✓ matched in the source

““Telesupervision” means clinical supervision conducted through audio/video technology such as videoconferencing or telephone.” — 4 CCR 737-1 Rules 1.7(D) and 1.14(C) (eff. 09/14/2025)✓ matched in the source

“A minimum of twenty-five of the fifty hours must be individual supervision, which may be in person or through telesupervision.” — C.R.S. § 12-245-604(1)(d), (4) and § 12-245-607 (CRS 2024)✓ matched in the source

“was licensed by the Board in the jurisdiction in which the applicant's services were performed.” — 4 CCR 737-1 Rules 1.7(D) and 1.14(C) (eff. 09/14/2025)✓ matched in the source

“Three years or 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical experience as a counselor:” — 4 CCR 737-1 Rules 1.7(D) and 1.14(C) (eff. 09/14/2025)✓ matched in the source

“group supervision with a maximum ratio of one supervisor to ten supervisees.” — C.R.S. § 12-245-604(1)(d), (4) and § 12-245-607 (CRS 2024)✓ matched in the source

“The board shall register as a licensed professional counselor candidate a person who:” — C.R.S. § 12-245-604(1)(d), (4) and § 12-245-607 (CRS 2024)✓ matched in the source

“"Compact" means the interstate licensed professional counselors compact authorized in part 43 of article 60 of title 24.” — C.R.S. § 12-245-604(1)(d), (4) and § 12-245-607 (CRS 2024)✓ matched in the source

Other licenses in Colorado

Sources

Checked against Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.

Track your hours as you earn them

Practice Harbor is free while you are pre-licensed. It counts your clinical hours from the sessions you mark as attended, and you can add outside hours by hand.

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General information, not legal advice. Requirements are summarized from each state’s licensing board, statutes and regulations on the date shown; the board decides, and rules change. Becoming Licensed is not affiliated with any licensing board.