Updated for 2026

Colorado LPC Continuing Education Requirements

Colorado counselors must complete 40 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LPC license.

40hours every 2 years

Next deadline: August 31, 2027The renewal cycle is biennial, and CE is due by August 31 of odd years.

What the board saysColorado board rule
Licensees shall complete forty PDH each renewal cycle1 in order to renew their license … A maximum of five PDH2 may be carried from the last renewal cycle to the next renewal cycle if the PDH were earned within six months of license expiration and are in excess of the forty PDH required for the current renewal cycle.
What it means
  1. 40 hours each renewal cycle
  2. Up to 5 extra hours earned within 6 months of expiration carry into the next cycle
4 CCR 737-1, Rule 1.18Last verified July 2026Ruleset 2026.4How we verify
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Requirements

Colorado LPC requirements

Total

40 hoursYou need 40 hours every 2 years. The renewal cycle is biennial, and CE is due by August 31 of odd years.

Limits on how the hours are earned

Single activity
max 20 hrs per activity
Carryover
max 5 hrs

Up to 5 unused hours can carry into the next cycle.

Cycle and record rules

Renewal
The renewal cycle is biennial, and CE is due by August 31 of odd years.
New licensees
The first renewal is different. New licensees have adjusted first-cycle requirements, such as prorated hours or first-cycle-only rules, and we apply them automatically.
Recordkeeping
Keep CE documentation for 5 years after the end of each cycle.
Board audit
The board may audit licensees to verify CE compliance.
Late renewal
The board allows a 60-day grace period after expiration. A late renewal adds a late fee.

To keep your proof in order, see what to keep for a CE audit, which covers every state’s retention period and what the audit notice asks for.

Your hours

Check where you stand

Enter the hours you have completed this cycle to see what is left before August 31, 2027.

Your result appears here as you enter hours.

Open the full LPC CE hours calculator

Also hold a Colorado LMFT or LCSW license? Each board runs its own CE cycle. See the Colorado LMFT and Colorado LCSW requirements.

Full board policy details
  • No more than 20 PDH from any single Professional Development Activity may be credited each cycle. The limit applies to each activity, not to an aggregate activity category or delivery format. Approved LPC PDA categories include volunteer service, mentoring/supervision, presenting, coursework, independent learning, and group learning. 1 PDH = 1 clock hour. No live/in-person minimum; no per-day cap.
  • Up to 5 excess PDH earned in the last 6 months of the renewal cycle may be carried forward to the next cycle (LPC rule 4 CCR 737-1.18).
  • Colorado does not pre-approve CE providers. Any course or activity that fits one of the Board-allowed Professional Development Activity categories and enhances the licensee's professional competence may be claimed. Documentation is self-maintained; no provider accreditation is required.
  • Course repeat restrictions: The rule does not explicitly prohibit repeating the same course or claiming credit for teaching identical content multiple times in one cycle. However, each claimed activity must genuinely enhance competence or contribute new learning. The Board may deny credit for activities that do not meet CPC criteria upon audit. Best practice is to claim a given presentation or course only once per cycle unless substantively updated.
  • License status rules: Licensees on inactive status are exempt from CPC requirements while inactive (4 CCR 737-1.19). To reactivate, the licensee must complete the full 40 PDH within the 2 years immediately preceding the reactivation application. If the license has been inactive for more than 2 years, the licensee must also pass the Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Exam AND demonstrate competency via one of: (a) written account of relevant work experience plus verification of any out-of-state license in good standing, (b) retake the national licensing exam (NCE), (c) complete 10 additional PDH for each year (or part of year) inactive beyond the initial 2 years, or (d) another Board-approved method. Military licensees on federally funded active duty for more than 120 days are exempt from CPC and renewal fees for that cycle per C.R.S. 12-20-302.
  • Dual-license exemption: An LPC who also holds another Colorado mental health license (e.g., LMFT, LCSW, psychologist) and has met that license's CPD requirements may be exempted from duplicate CPC under 4 CCR 737-1.18; one set of 40 hours can satisfy both licenses (Deem Status).
  • First-cycle PDH accrue at 1.66 hours for each month or portion of a month licensed. The displayed total approximates this as 40 hours multiplied by licensed calendar months divided by 24, rounded to the nearest whole hour. The partial issuance month counts because this cycle ends September 1. Whole-hour rounding can understate the Board formula: eight months displays 13 hours versus 13.28 PDH. Complete at least 1.66 times the number of months or partial months licensed, even when the displayed total is lower.

Colorado LPC CE: frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do Colorado LPC licensees need?

Colorado requires 40 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LPC license. The renewal cycle is biennial, and CE is due by August 31 of odd years.

How often do Colorado LPC licensees renew?

The renewal cycle is biennial, and CE is due by August 31 of odd years.

Is the first renewal different for new Colorado LPC licensees?

The first renewal is different. New licensees have adjusted first-cycle requirements, such as prorated hours or first-cycle-only rules, and we apply them automatically.

Sources and verification

State source
Colorado board rule
Profession source
NBCC continuing education guidance
Last verified
July 2026
Ruleset version
2026.4

We reviewed this page against the Colorado board source, and we refresh it from the compiled ruleset above. Methodology and disclaimer. Compliance data is for guidance only, not legal or board advice. Always confirm requirements with your licensing board before renewing. See something wrong? Report it

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Colorado guides & data

What to keep for a CE audit →Learn what boards ask for in a CE audit, how long each state says to keep certificates, and what the notice looks like, then use the printable checklist.Colorado mental health workforce data →36,559 active providers, or 608 per 100,000 residents, ranked 11 of 51. The page includes a county density map and free CSV downloads.

Other Colorado CE requirement pages

Colorado LMFTColorado LCSWColorado PsychologistColorado Addiction CounselorColorado PMHNP

LPC CE requirements in other states