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SWC (credential), LSW, & LCSW Licensure

IMPORTANT CHANGES to licensure have occurred as of July 14, 2020 with Governor Polis' signing of the (revised) Mental Health Practice Act: final signed bill and summer 2020 DORA Rule-making . The many improvements to social work licensing in this update were made possible by NASW-CO's strategic planning, collaborations, and successful lobbying efforts, which are entirely supported through NASW Member Dues. Please join, rejoin or renew NASW to support critical workforce and social justice advocacy.

NASW-CO's finalized document reviewing step-by-step instructions for the initial licensure process can be found here: NASW-CO Licensure Process Guide

We have offered a number of free webinars on these changes, e.g. here is an October 2020 recorded NASW-CO webinar and a July 2020 recorded MH Coalition webinar ). DORA links summarizing changes are here: Updates for all MH Professionals & Updates for Social Workers .

The SWC (Clinical Social Worker Candidate) registration ($72 fee) application is available online here, and the checklist for completing this application can be found here. DORA currently requires the SWC (Clinical Social Worker Candidate) application to be completed and paid for online. Email DORA for application questions or completed applications, or contact DORA with general questions about licensure applications.

Detailed information about requirements for applying for the SWC (Clinical Social Worker Candidate) credential and earning the LSW (Licensed Social Worker) and LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) licenses, including supervision requirements are here and in the Mental Health Practice Act and the DORA Social Work Rules & Regulations (links in side-bar, choose most recent versions of documents on DORA website and Secretary of State website) . The School Social Work license is provided through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) (not DORA). For more information see CDE info.

Licensees are required to comply with Colorado's Continuing Professional Competency (CPC)/Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program requirements for LSWs and LCSWs. Additionally, for SWCs (Clinical Social Worker Candidates), LSWs and LCSWs, there are HPPP/Skolnik Act requirements.

Colorado's MH Practice Act Statute, section 12-245-217 allows those who are clinically licensed in other states to practice for up to 20 days per year in Colorado without having to become licensed in CO (see side bar for Statute link and scroll to 12-245-217; must be in good standing with other licensure boards and practice within scope). With the passage of CO HB20-1326 in June 2020, additional changes will be made during Summer 2020 DORA Rule-making . Check with DORA, and we'll update here as we learn more.

Although NASW continues its longtime advocacy on this front, there is (generally) no automatic reciprocity for licensure with another state; licensees must check directly with the state in which they reside and the state in which their client resides/will be physically present in at the time that psychotherapy services are provided (via telehealth or in-person) and follow all laws and regulations. Some states' Emergency Orders, such as during the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, may allow reciprocity so check NASW resource pages during such emergencies. For information about current practice of telehealth in Colorado during the Covid-19 Pandemic: click here .

For information about what to do if you forgot to renew your license, see the license renewal information.

Licensees who are not currently practicing in the state but who want to keep a license may put their license on "Inactive Status" ( see details here ).