How to Serve as a Clinical Supervisor in Colorado as a Licensed Psychologist

Serving as a clinical supervisor is a significant professional responsibility for licensed psychologists in Colorado. Supervisors play a critical role in guiding postdoctoral clinicians who are completing their supervised experience toward licensure as Clinical Psychologists—helping them develop the clinical competence, ethics, and confidence required for independent psychotherapy practice.

This guide walks you through the Colorado clinical supervisor requirements, renewal obligations, and common pitfalls to avoid—and shows how the Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) helps you strengthen your supervision skills through accredited, flexible, and relevant training.

✅ Supervisor Eligibility Requirements (Colorado Psychology Board)

As outlined in Rule 1.14(C)(3) – Supervision of the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners, the Board will accept as a supervisor any professional who meets one of the following qualifications:

• (1) “A licensed psychologist who, at the time of supervision, was licensed by the Board in the jurisdiction in which the applicant’s services were performed.”

• (2) “A psychiatrist certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and who was licensed as a physician who, at the time of supervision, was licensed by the Board.”

• (3) “A psychologist may be approved as a supervisor, who, at the time of the supervision, was licensed at the highest possible level in another jurisdiction in which the applicant's services were performed. The Board will consider post-degree supervised experience obtained in another jurisdiction by an individual who is not certified or licensed as a psychologist in the other jurisdiction, if the jurisdiction in which such person was practicing did not provide for such certification, licensure, listing or registration. The applicant’s supervisor shall document to the satisfaction of the Board their competence in the same field of psychology as that in which the applicant is seeking licensure.”

🔗 Source: Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners – Rules and Regulations(Rule 1.14(C)(3) – Supervision)

In summary, Colorado requires that supervisors:

• Hold a valid, active psychology license in good standing in Colorado (or another jurisdiction at the time supervision was provided).

• Be competent in the same field or specialty area as the supervisee.

• Maintain accurate, detailed records of supervision hours and content to verify compliance.

🔄 Ongoing and Renewal CE Requirements for Colorado Psychologists

Colorado does not require supervision-specific CE hours for psychologists to maintain supervisor status. However, supervisors must maintain an active license and comply with Colorado’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements to renew, reinstate, or reactivate a psychologist license.

The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program

Code citation: C.R.S. § 12-245-307

Under C.R.S. § 12-245-307, licensed psychologists must:

• Develop, implement, and document a Learning Plan

• Complete at least 40 Professional Development Hours (PDH) every two years

• Maintain documentation of completed PDH in case of audit

Colorado does not require preapproval of CPD activities, but licensees must ensure activities meet statutory criteria.

Examples of Qualifying Professional Development Activities (PDAs)

Qualifying activities may include, in any combination:

• Attending workshops, seminars, symposia, colloquia, postdoctoral institutes, or scientific/professional programs (including online continuing education that provides CE credit approved by the American Psychological Association (APA), ACCME, or a regionally accredited institution)

• Completing an APA-approved ethics course

• Developing and teaching an academic course in psychology

• Completing graduate-level psychology coursework

• Presenting professional workshops

• Authoring or editing professional publications

• Providing editorial review for professional journals

These examples reflect the activity types described in C.R.S. § 12-245-307(2)(b).

Proration for New or Reactivated Licensees

Licensees must accrue PDH at a prorated rate of 1.67 hours per month (or portion thereof) during the renewal cycle in which they are newly licensed, reinstated, or reactivated.

Active Duty Military Exemption

Colorado provides an exemption from certain continuing professional development requirements for licensees called to federally funded active duty for more than 120 days during a war, emergency, or contingency.

🔗 Source: Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners – Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) Program

⚠️ Pitfalls to Avoid as a Supervisor in Colorado

Even experienced supervisors can lose credit for supervision hours if certain rules aren’t followed. Here are the most frequent issues to watch for:

• Supervisor not licensed at the time of supervision: Colorado requires supervisors to hold an active license during the supervision period. Hours obtained under an unlicensed or inactive supervisor may not count.

• Insufficient or missing supervision documentation: Supervisors must maintain accurate logs detailing total postdoctoral practice hours and supervision hours in compliance with Rule 1.14(C)(3)(b).

• Competence mismatch: Supervisors must demonstrate expertise in the same field of psychology as the supervisee’s focus area.

• Failure to meet CPC renewal requirements: Missing the 40 PDH requirement may affect your ability to renew your license or supervise others.

📘 How the Telehealth Certification Institute Helps You Meet Supervision CE Requirements

While the Colorado Psychology Board does not require any specific CE hours to become or remain an approved supervisor, the Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) offers high-quality, accredited continuing education (CE) courses that help Colorado psychologists strengthen their supervision skills and enhance their professional competence.

All courses are fully online, self-paced, and taught by expert instructors—making it easy to grow your supervision expertise at your own pace.

Recommended Courses:

• Clinical Supervision Certificate Program
  Earn 49 CE hours through a comprehensive CSC program that covers all core supervision competencies—including ethics, documentation, models of supervision, multicultural considerations, and advanced supervisory techniques. This in-depth, structured training helps psychologists enhance their supervisory effectiveness and expand their professional expertise. For Colorado licensees, these hours may be applied toward the 40 Professional Development Hour (PDH) renewal requirement.

• Individual Clinical Supervision CE Courses
  If you prefer focused learning on specific topics, explore TCI’s full catalog of individual supervision courses. Choose from a wide range of specialized training—such as reflective supervision, managing supervisory challenges, and interdisciplinary collaboration—to support your ongoing professional development and strengthen your supervisory practice.

🤝 Free Clinical Supervision Forum

Join our live, bi-monthly forum designed for clinical supervisors—open to all behavioral health professionals!

• ✅ Earn complimentary live CE hours
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• 🌐 Network with supervisors from across the country

🔗 Register now and be part of the conversation

🌟 Why Choose TCI for Your Training?

• ✅ Trusted by thousands of behavioral health professionals nationwide
• ✅ Fully online and self-paced — study anytime, anywhere
• ✅ Accredited CE taught by leading industry experts
• ✅ Modular, flexible courses — pay only for the training you need

⚠️ Disclaimer

“The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Licensing and supervision requirements may change, and interpretations may vary. It is the responsibility of each individual to verify the current rules and qualifications directly with their state licensing authority.”

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