Pathways to Licensure

Navigating professional counselor licensure in Colorado can feel complicated, especially when requirements, terminology, timelines, and responsibilities overlap. Pathways to Licensure provides a practical guide to understanding the Colorado licensure process and making informed decisions at each stage of the journey.

Led by Dr. Ryan Burkhart, Executive Director of the Colorado Counseling Association, this training walks participants through Colorado’s primary routes to licensure, including Licensure by Examination and Licensure by Endorsement. Participants will learn how the pathway from graduate student to LPCC and ultimately LPC works, as well as how licensure differs for counselors who are already licensed in another state.

The course addresses important topics such as degree completion versus conferral and graduation, the LPCC application process, the Colorado jurisprudence examination, the National Counselor Examination (NCE), post-degree clinical experience, supervision requirements, documentation of hours, and the regulatory roles of DORA and the Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners. Participants will also learn how to plan for the transition between graduation and LPCC approval and how to protect their post-degree hours through appropriate supervision and documentation.

Whether you are preparing for your own licensure, supervising an emerging counselor, or helping students understand what comes next after graduate school, this course is designed to give you a clearer roadmap for navigating the process with confidence.

Because licensure requirements can change, participants are encouraged to use this course alongside current DORA rules, policies, applications, and other official resources.