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Colorado Professional Counselor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licensed Professional Counselor

Ordinary Colorado professional counseling license; issuance, status and restoration routes are kept separately.

Licensing authority: Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners · Application information

Endorsement through substantially equivalent education and experience
Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Board Review
The Board may deny for lack of substantially equivalent qualifications or conduct constituting grounds for discipline, under the statutory portability process.
Credential Held
A current unrestricted professional counseling credential in good standing in an eligible jurisdiction, or qualifying military occupational specialty, with license verifications and disciplinary disclosures. The occupational portability statute also names another country; the Board checklist states that endorsement applicants must hold a current equivalent license in another state.
Education
Master's or doctoral accredited or Board-equivalent counseling degree.
Experience
Attest to two years post-master's or one year postdoctoral supervised practice with substantially similar requirements, or two years active practice. Active practice averages at least 20 hours per week, with no absence exceeding six months; qualifying teaching counts for no more than one-third.
Jurisprudence Score Currency
Passing report valid for one year; an unexpired passing report may be reused.
Minimum Age
Rule 1.12(C)(4) requires proof of age at least 21.
Prior Competence Examination
Rule 1.12(C)(1)(a)(2) requires attestation to an examination testing competence in professional counseling and psychotherapy, but does not identify a particular currently offered registered examination; it is an applicant condition.
Endorsement through one year of a substantially similar unrestricted license
Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Board Review
The Board may deny for lack of substantially equivalent qualifications or conduct constituting grounds for discipline, under the statutory portability process.
Credential Held
A current unrestricted professional counseling credential in good standing in an eligible jurisdiction, or qualifying military occupational specialty, with license verifications and disciplinary disclosures. The occupational portability statute also names another country; the Board checklist states that endorsement applicants must hold a current equivalent license in another state.
Implementation Checklist
The LPC Examination/Endorsement checklist also asks endorsement applicants to attest to an unspecified competence examination and supervised or active practice. Those unnamed examination and experience demands are recorded as applicant conditions; the rule permits the one-year-license alternative.
Jurisprudence Score Currency
Passing report valid for one year; an unexpired passing report may be reused.
Minimum Age
Rule 1.12(C)(4) requires proof of age at least 21.
Prior License Duration
Rule 1.12(C)(1)(b) permits proof of at least one year holding a current unrestricted good-standing license in a substantially similar scope.
Licensure by examination
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Education
Master's or doctoral professional counseling degree from an accredited or Board-equivalent program, including a practicum or internship. Non-CACREP equivalency is evaluated through the Board-approved credentialing process; foreign-trained education requires an approved evaluation. Military education, training and service may satisfy substantially equivalent qualifications.
Experience
C.R.S. 12-245-604(1)(d) requires two years post-master's or one year postdoctoral supervised practice; 2,000 practice hours including at least 1,500 direct-client-contact hours or practice under section 12-245-603; at least 50 supervision hours per 1,000 practice hours, at least 25 individual, with the balance triadic or groups no larger than 1:10. The 2025 adopted Rule 1.14(C)(4)(b) also states that the 2,000 hours cannot be completed in fewer than 24 months; the current Board page repeats that limit.
Jurisprudence Score Currency
The bulletin makes the passing results report valid for one year, and permits reuse for additional applications within that year.
Legal Compliance
No violation of Article 245 or its rules; provide all screening disclosures and documented supervised practice.
Minimum Age
At least 21 years old.
National Score Currency
Rule 1.14(A)(3) and (D)(4) limit national examination results to five years; a time window is an applicant condition, not removal of the NCE leaf.
Transfer an existing license to inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Existing License
Apply to transfer an existing license to inactive status; refrain from restricted practice while inactive. Continuing competency for renewal is waived while inactive, and Board disciplinary jurisdiction remains.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military spouse, gold star spouse or dependent occupational portability
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Eligibility
Qualifying military spouse, gold star military spouse or dependent relocated to Colorado, with an active good-standing credential in another state or United States territory. Apply under C.R.S. 12-20-202(3)(f), subject to the compact/reciprocity exception and good-standing review.
Implementing Form Demand
The general LPC initial application preview says: "Upload the Colorado Mental Health Professions Jurisprudence Examination results" and "If you have not completed the exam, do not apply." C.R.S. 12-20-202(3)(f)(I) instead entitles qualifying applicants on proof of an active good-standing credential; that special statute controls this route. The Board may require applicants to address its general form instructions.
License Term
The statute makes this license valid for six years and renewable, and waives the application fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after inactivity of more than two years
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Competence Alternative
Pass jurisprudence; demonstrate competence by a written practice statement with other-jurisdiction verification, retaking the NBCC counselor examination (the Board's NCE identified by Rule 1.14 and its checklist), additional ten PDH for each year or part-year inactive, or another Board-approved means. The NCE leaf is an offered route option; other competency evidence may excuse the applicant from that examination.
Continuing Competence
Complete reactivation requirements under Rule 1.18 within the two years preceding application, subject to recognized exemptions.
Duration
Inactive more than two years.
Score Currency
The 08/2025 reactivation checklist asks for NBCC examination results from the last two years when that option is used; jurisprudence results are valid for one year.
Reactivation after inactivity of no more than two years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Duration
Inactive no more than two years under Rule 1.19(E), which imposes examination requirements only after more than two years.
Lower Rank Threshold Conflict
The 08/2025 application Part 4 says "If your license has been inactive for two (2) years or more, you must do the following:" and asks for a jurisprudence passing result and competence option. Rule 1.19(E) says more than two years and governs the exact two-year boundary; applicants should address the form's broader threshold with the Board.
Professional Competence
Submit reactivation application and fee, required good-standing and disclosure statements, learning plan and 40 PDH in the preceding two years, or a permitted military/deemed-status alternative.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after expiration of more than two years
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Competence Alternative
Rule 1.13(E)(1) requires jurisprudence and allows competence to be shown by a detailed practice statement with other-jurisdiction verification, retaking the NBCC counselor examination, ten additional PDH for every year or part-year expired, or another Board-approved means. The NCE is a route leaf because the exam is a named offered choice; this condition explains that practice, PDH or Board approval may excuse the applicant from taking it.
Continuing Competence
Satisfy the continuing-development requirements applicable to the credential.
Duration
Expired for more than two years.
National Exam Identity
Rule 1.13 names the NBCC Examination; Rule 1.14(D)(2) identifies the Board's counseling examination as the NBCC counselor certification examination, and the LPC checklist identifies it as the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
Score Currency
The current reinstatement preview asks for an NBCC passing result within two years when the examination option is selected, and a current jurisprudence report (valid for one year).
Reinstatement after expiration of no more than two years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Continuing Competence
Satisfy Rule 1.18 development requirements within the preceding two years, or an authorized deemed-status or military exemption.
Duration
Credential expired no more than two years; complete reinstatement application and fee, good-standing certifications, disciplinary and malpractice disclosures and any required development documentation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Routine renewal, including statutory grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Professional Competence
Complete the professional practice survey, personal learning plan and documentation of development activities; normally 40 PDH per cycle under Rule 1.18. Accepted deemed-status and active-duty exemptions remain applicant conditions.
Renewal Timing
Renew by the expiration date; the statutory 60-day grace period permits renewal with a delinquency fee. Beyond that period use reinstatement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate

Candidate registration permitting supervised practice toward LPC licensure.

Licensing authority: Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners · Application information

First renewal of candidate registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Candidate Status
If LPC experience and examination requirements remain unmet after the initial registration term, renew the candidate registration under C.R.S. 12-245-604(4)(c)-(d).
Professional Development
The 2025 adopted rule requires 60 PDH at the second and subsequent renewal cycles; that requirement does not apply to the first renewal.
Term Statements
Subsection (4)(d) directs rules allowing four-year renewal. The current Board page says candidates expire December 31 every three years. The applicant should verify the issued term with the Board; neither statement creates an examination requirement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial candidate registration
Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Education
Meet the degree and practicum/internship requirements of C.R.S. 12-245-604(1)(c), with Board-approved equivalency where appropriate; the candidate checklist allows specified certification of master's education when a final transcript is not yet available.
Jurisprudence Score Currency
Pass jurisprudence and submit an unexpired one-year results report. NCE and completed supervised practice are not initial candidate-registration requirements under subsection (4)(a).
Legal Compliance
Meet C.R.S. 12-245-604(1)(b); complete screening, profile and license-verification requirements.
Minimum Age
At least 21 years old.
Second or subsequent renewal of candidate registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Candidate Status
Continue supervised candidate registration while the ordinary LPC requirements remain unmet; confirm the issued renewal term with the Board because the statute's four-year rulemaking direction and current page's three-year expiration statement differ.
Professional Development
Complete 60 PDH before the second and each subsequent candidate-registration renewal under the 2025 adopted Rule 1.18(E), together with applicable continuing-development documentation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor

Provisional license for supervised employment in a qualifying residential child care facility.

Licensing authority: Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners · Application information

Initial provisional license for residential child care employment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Education
Postgraduate degree meeting the educational requirements of C.R.S. 12-245-604. Section 12-245-208 incorporates the educational requirements, not the ordinary LPC examination and post-degree experience requirements.
Employment
Work in a qualifying residential child care facility under a licensee's supervision; provide employment/supervision verification.
Method Label
The specific initial preview states one method and calls it Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor by Temporary Permit. The general current page calls its initial entry Examination or Endorsement; that generic label does not override the defining statute or establish separate provisional applicant routes.
Termination
The statutory license ends 30 days after termination of qualifying employment or supervision unless replacement employment/supervision is documented. Notify supervision changes within 30 days.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of provisional license expired more than two years
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Competence Alternative
Rule 1.13(E)(1) requires jurisprudence and allows competence to be shown by a detailed practice statement with other-jurisdiction verification, retaking the NBCC counselor examination, ten additional PDH for every year or part-year expired, or another Board-approved means. The NCE is a route leaf because the exam is a named offered choice; this condition explains that practice, PDH or Board approval may excuse the applicant from taking it.
Continuing Competence
Satisfy the continuing-development requirements applicable to the credential.
Duration
Expired for more than two years.
Implementation Preview
The LPP-specific reinstatement preview lists practice verification and screening/profile documents and does not list examinations. The higher-ranked Rule 1.13(E)(1) applies to a license expired more than two years and requires jurisprudence plus competence demonstration; its examination options are retained, with the other competency methods as conditions.
National Exam Identity
Rule 1.13 names the NBCC Examination; Rule 1.14(D)(2) identifies the Board's counseling examination as the NBCC counselor certification examination, and the LPC checklist identifies it as the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
Provisional Qualification
Re-establish qualifying residential child care employment and licensed supervision and provide the Verification of Practice Form.
Score Currency
The current reinstatement preview asks for an NBCC passing result within two years when the examination option is selected, and a current jurisprudence report (valid for one year).
Reinstatement of provisional license expired no more than two years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Duration
Credential expired no more than two years; complete reinstatement application and fee, good-standing certifications, disciplinary and malpractice disclosures and any required development documentation.
Practice Verification
Provide the Verification of Practice Form, qualifying residential child care employment and supervision, screening disclosures and Healthcare Professions Profile.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of an existing provisional license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Ongoing Qualification
Maintain qualifying residential child care employment and licensed supervision; comply with application, fee and statutory renewal/grace-period requirements. The defining provisional qualification clause requires education, employment and supervision.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensed Professional Counselor by Telehealth

Out-of-state telehealth provider registration under C.R.S. 12-30-124; the Board application calls its method Licensed Professional Counselor by Telehealth. This registration permits telehealth services only.

Licensing authority: Colorado State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners · Application information

Out of state telehealth registration
Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Financial Responsibility
Maintain the financial responsibility required by the regulator for Colorado services.
Jurisprudence Score Currency
Submit a current jurisprudence passing report valid for one year; the application preview identifies the same Colorado mental health jurisprudence examination.
Location And Practice
Not resident or located in Colorado; provide telehealth only, with no Colorado office or in-person services and no controlled-substance prescribing.
Out Of State Credential
Active unencumbered governmental credential with educational/supervisory standards meeting or exceeding equivalent Colorado/compact standards and the equivalent authorized scope. No limitation, suspension or revocation within the preceding five years, except actions concerning conduct permitted under Colorado law.
Practice Duties
Comply with Colorado professional standards, patient disclosures, written emergency protocol and follow-up/emergency coordination requirements under C.R.S. 12-30-124.
Registered Agent
Designate an agent for service of process located in Colorado.
Routine renewal of out of state telehealth registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate completed application, fee, name-change documentation when applicable, screening disclosures and supporting documents, license verifications when applicable, and the Healthcare Professions Profile.
Ongoing Qualification
Keep the underlying out-of-state credential eligible, maintain required financial responsibility, report credential restrictions/discipline as required by section 12-30-124(4), and complete the statutory registration renewal process. Initial jurisprudence passage is the registration prerequisite in subsection (3)(d); subsection (12) subjects renewals to section 12-20-202 rather than requiring repeated passage.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination

Provider
ISO-Quality Testing (IQT)
Format
Online, open-book, multiple-choice, one-best-answer
Exam questions
45
Time limit
Not timed; 60-day eligibility window
Passing score
500 on a 200–800 scaled-score range
Exam fee
$25 per attempt
Examination outline
  • General Mental Health Statutes (27%)
    • Part 1 Legislative Declaration
    • Part 2 General Provisions
    • Definitions
    • Scope of Practice
    • Mandatory Disclosures
    • Limitation on Authority
    • Minimum Standards for Testing
  • Confidentiality and Privilege (13%)
    • Disclosure of Confidential Communications
    • Duty to Report Violation
    • Who May Not Testify Without Consent
  • Prohibited Activities/Violations (16%)
    • Prohibited Activities
    • Violated/Attempted to Violate Provision or Rule
    • Acting or Failing to Act with Generally Accepted Standards of Care
    • Discipline by Another Jurisdiction
  • Board Rules (19%)
    • Board Powers/Duties
    • Licensee/Registrant/Certificate Holder Responsibilities
    • Information Required to Report
    • Client Records
    • Confidential Agreement to Limit Practice
  • Emergency Procedures (15%)
    • Involuntary Commitment
    • Injunctive Proceedings
    • Duty to Warn
    • Child Duty to Report Abuse/Neglect
    • At-Risk Persons Duty to Report Abuse/Exploitation
  • Disciplinary Provisions/Proceedings (10%)
    • Disciplinary Provisions
    • Proceedings and Actions
    • Unauthorized Practice
    • Referral to Peer Health Assistance Program
Examination sources

National Counselor Examination

Provider
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); administered through the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) and delivered by Pearson VUE at test centers or online through OnVUE
Format
200-question, multiple-choice, non-sectioned examination; scored and unscored items appear in jumbled order; a different form is compiled for each administration
Exam questions
200 multiple-choice questions: 160 scored and 40 unscored field-test items
Time limit
225 minutes to complete the examination within a 255-minute test session (one scheduled 15-minute break after question #100)
Passing score
Criterion passing score set by a modified Angoff method and adjusted for each form by statistical equating; passing scores may vary slightly for each version
Examination outline
  • 1. Professional Practice and Ethics — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities related to maintaining proper administrative and clinical protocols. (12% of items; 19 scored items) (12%)
    • A. Assess your (the counselor) competency to work with a specific client
    • B. Understand statistical concepts and methods in research
    • C. Practice legal and ethical counseling
    • D. Clarify counselor–client roles
    • E. Discuss client’s rights and responsibilities
    • F. Discuss limits of confidentiality
    • G. Explain counselor agency policies
    • H. Review payment, fees, and insurance benefits
    • I. Explain counseling processes, procedures, risks, and benefits
    • J. Explain uses and limits of social media
    • K. Inform clients about the legal aspects of counseling
    • L. Obtain informed consent
    • M. Discuss confidentiality as it applies to electronic communication
    • N. Establish group rules, expectations, and termination criteria
    • O. Assess competency to provide informed consent
    • P. Monitor the therapeutic relationship and build trust as needed
    • Q. Review client records
    • R. Provide adequate accommodations for clients with disabilities
    • S. Provide information to third parties
    • T. Provide referral sources if counseling services are inadequate/ inappropriate
    • U. Advocate for professional and client issues
    • V. Seek supervision/consultation
    • W. Create and maintain documentation appropriate for each aspect of the counseling process
    • X. Awareness and practice of self-care
  • 2. Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively conduct client intake, assessment, and diagnosis. (12% of items; 19 scored items) (12%)
    • A. Conduct a biopsychosocial interview
    • B. Conduct a diagnostic interview
    • C. Conduct cultural formulation interview
    • D. Conduct an initial interview
    • E. Determine diagnosis
    • F. Perform a Mental Status Exam (MSE)
    • G. Consider co-occurring diagnoses
    • H. Determine level of care needed
    • I. Determine the appropriate modality of treatment
    • J. Assess the presenting problem and level of distress
    • K. Evaluate an individual’s level of mental health functioning
    • L. Screen clients for appropriate services
    • M. Select, use, and interpret appropriate assessment instruments
    • N. Use formal and informal observations
    • O. Assess for trauma
    • P. Assess substance use
    • Q. Obtain client self-reports
    • R. Evaluate interactional dynamics
    • S. Conduct ongoing assessment for at-risk behaviors (i.e., suicide, homicide, self/other injury, and relationship violence)
    • T. Use pre-test and post-test measures to assess outcomes
    • U. Evaluate counseling effectiveness
  • 3. Areas of Clinical Focus — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge and skills related to areas of clients’ concern(s). (29% of items; 47 scored items) (29%)
    • A. Adjustment related to physical loss/injury/medical condition
    • B. Aging/geriatric concerns
    • C. Behavioral problems
    • D. Bullying
    • E. Caregiving concerns
    • F. Cultural adjustments
    • G. End-of-life issues
    • H. Fear and panic
    • I. Financial issues
    • J. Gender identity development
    • K. Grief/loss
    • L. Hopelessness/depression
    • M. Loneliness/attachment
    • N. Hyper/hypo mental focus
    • O. Intellectual functioning issues
    • P. Insomnia/sleep issues
    • Q. Maladaptive eating behaviors
    • R. Remarriage/recommitment
    • S. Developmental processes/tasks/issues
    • T. Obsessive thoughts/behaviors
    • U. Occupation and career development
    • V. Physical issues related to anxiety
    • W. Physical issues related to depression
    • X. Physical/emotional issues related to trauma
    • Y. Process addictions (pornography, gambling)
    • Z. Racism/discrimination/oppression
    • AA. Religious values conflict
    • AB. Retirement concerns
    • AC. Ruminating and/or intrusive thoughts
    • AD. Separation from primary care givers
    • AE. Sexual functioning concerns
    • AF. Sleeping habits
    • AG. Spiritual/existential concerns
    • AH. Stress management
    • AI. Substance use/addiction issues
    • AJ. Suicidal thoughts/behaviors
    • AK. Terminal illness issues
    • AL. Visual/auditory hallucinations
    • AM. Worry and anxiety
    • AN. Adoption issues
    • AO. Blended family issues
    • AP. Child abuse-related concerns
    • AQ. Child development issues
    • AR. Dating/relationship problems
    • AS. Divorce
    • AT. Family abuse/violence (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional)
    • AU. Interpersonal partner violence concerns
    • AV. Marital/partner communication problems
    • AW. Parenting/co-parenting conflicts
    • AX. Emotional dysregulation
  • 4. Treatment Planning — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop an effective course of treatment. (9% of items; 14 scored items) (9%)
    • A. Collaborate with client to establish treatment goals and objectives
    • B. Establish short- and long-term counseling goals consistent with clients’ diagnoses
    • C. Identify barriers affecting client goal attainment
    • D. Identify strengths that improve the likelihood of goal attainment
    • E. Refer to different levels of treatment (e.g., outpatient, inpatient, residential, etc.)
    • F. Refer to others for concurrent treatment
    • G. Guide treatment planning
    • H. Discuss termination process and issues
    • I. Discuss transitions in group membership
    • J. Follow-up after discharge
    • K. Use assessment instrument results to facilitate client decision making
    • L. Review and revise the treatment plan
    • M. Engage clients in review of progress toward treatment goals
    • N. Collaborate with other providers and client support systems (documentation and report writing)
    • O. Discuss with clients the integration and maintenance of therapeutic progress
    • P. Educate client to the value of treatment plan compliance
  • 5. Counseling Skills and Interventions — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct effective counseling. (30% of items; 48 scored items) (30%)
    • A. Align intervention with client’s developmental level
    • B. Align intervention with counseling modality (individual, couple, family, or group)
    • C. Align intervention with client population (e.g., veterans, minorities, disenfranchised, disabled)
    • D. Implement individual counseling in relation to a plan of treatment
    • E. Establish therapeutic alliance
    • F. Apply theory-based counseling intervention(s)
    • G. Address addiction issues
    • H. Address cultural considerations
    • I. Address family composition and cultural considerations
    • J. Evaluate and explain systemic patterns of interaction
    • K. Explore family member interaction
    • L. Explore religious and spiritual values
    • M. Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems
    • N. Help clients develop support systems
    • O. Help facilitate clients’ motivation to make the changes they desire
    • P. Improve interactional patterns
    • Q. Provide crisis intervention
    • R. Educate client about transference and defense mechanisms
    • S. Facilitate trust and safety
    • T. Build communication skills
    • U. Develop conflict resolution strategies
    • V. Develop safety plans
    • W. Facilitate systemic change
    • X. Provide distance counseling or telemental health
    • Y. Provide education resources (e.g., stress management, assertiveness training, divorce adjustment)
    • Z. Provide psychoeducation for client
    • AA. Summarize
    • AB. Reframe/redirect
    • AC. Facilitate empathic responses
    • AD. Use self-disclosure
    • AE. Use constructive confrontation
    • AF. Facilitate awareness of here-and-now interactions
    • AG. Facilitate resolution of interpersonal conflict
    • AH. Use linking and blocking in a group context
    • AI. Management of leader–member dynamics
    • AJ. Model giving and receiving of feedback
    • AK. Address impact of extended families
    • AL. Contain and manage intense feelings
    • AM. Explore the influence of family of origin patterns and themes
    • AN. Address the impact of social support network
    • AO. Use “structured” activities
    • AP. Promote and encourage interactions among group members
    • AQ. Promote and encourage interactions with the group leader
    • AR. Use psychoeducation as a part of the group process
    • AS. Explain phases in the group process
    • AT. Identify and discuss group themes and patterns
    • AU. Create intervention based on the stage of group development
    • AV. Challenge harmful group member behaviors
    • AW. Address the potential interaction of members outside of the group
  • 6. Core Counseling Attributes — This section encompasses behaviors, traits, and dispositions of effective counselors. (8% of items; 13 scored items) (8%)
    • A. Awareness of self and impact on clients
    • B. Genuineness
    • C. Congruence
    • D. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to gender orientation and gender issues
    • E. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to multicultural issues
    • F. Demonstrate conflict tolerance and resolution
    • G. Empathic attunement
    • H. Empathic responding
    • I. Foster the emergence of group therapeutic factors
    • J. Non-judgmental stance
    • K. Positive regard
    • L. Respect and acceptance for diversity
    • M. Use foundational listening, attending, and reflecting skills
Examination sources