Licensure & Credentialing
Alumnx of the Graduate School of Counseling (GSC) have successfully obtained licensure throughout the United States and internationally.
See below to learn more, have your questions answered by one of Naropa’s experts on licensure at an info-session, and reach out to your Admissions Counselor for additional assistance.
Licensure in Colorado
In order to practice Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Colorado, individuals must have a master’s level education and register through the State Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
To be licensed in Colorado, counselors must:
- Submit the Colorado Education Equivalency Review to the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE);
- Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE);
- Pass the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam;
- Complete 2,000 hours of postgraduate supervised clinical practice, including 1,500 hours of direct client contact;
- Receive 100 hours of supervision by a qualified supervisor over a minimum of twenty-four months.
There is a time limit of four years to complete all requirements from the date of application for licensure. Full details on Colorado licensure are available at the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
Licensure in States Outside of Colorado
Licensure requirements of state boards and licensing agencies vary from state to state in the United States, as well as internationally. Additionally, licensure requirements change over time. Consequently, successful completion of degree requirements is necessary for, but does not guarantee that a state or overseas board or licensing agency will accept a graduate’s application for licensure.
To obtain licensure some states and countries will require additional course work and clinical placement hours not included in the Naropa curriculum. Students are responsible for researching the educational requirements for the intended licensure or certification in the state(s), or countries, where they will seek licensure or certification.
States Naropa Does Not Lead to Licensure
Naropa’s counseling programs do not at this time lead to licensure in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, and North Carolina because those states require a degree from a CACREP–accredited university. Naropa is CACREP equivalent but not CACREP accredited. Therefore, a degree from Naropa will not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in those states. Our programs also do not lead to licensure in New Hampshire, as it has requirements our programs do not meet.
In addition, the low-residency version of the Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling program cannot lead to licensure in Missouri and New York. As such, Naropa does not accept low-residency applicants residing in or intending to practice in either state.
For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions or your Admissions Counselor.
Additional Resources and Guidelines
Support in forming an individualized path towards licensure and navigating licensure requirements is available for students by Naropa’s Credentialing Coordinator in the Office of Career and Life Development.
It is highly recommended that students and alumnx maintain an archive of syllabi and clinical placement records often required to complete state licensure applications. Syllabi are available from the GSC Course Syllabi Archive, and course descriptions can be obtained from the relevant course catalog.
State Authorization Federal Regulations
A Naropa University education combines rigorous academic learning with contemplative practice. Naropa’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is not CACREP–accredited. Naropa graduates have successfully licensed in Colorado and numerous other states through a process of educational equivalency. Naropa is actively pursuing CACREP accreditation.
As a graduating student, you need to complete a degree verification process. Naropa University has a dedicated team member that offers Credentialing and Licensure support during and after your Naropa education.
