Pathways to Licensure

Colorado has five licensed designations for mental health professionals: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Licensed Psychologist (PSY). Often, these five occupations are collectively referred to as mental health professionals in Colorado legislation.

Each of these licensed designations have a particular pathway to licensure that reflects that designations training and the profession in which they are held accountable to:

The Licensed Professional Candidate (LPCC) designation is intended for those seeking their LPC.
The Licensed Social Worker (LSW) designation is intended for those seeking their LCSW.
The Certifed Addictions Counseling (CAC), levels I, II, and III, are intended for those seeking their LAC.
The Marriage and Family therapist Candidate (MFTC) is intended for those seeking their LMFT.
The Psychologist Candidate (PSYC) is intended for those seeking to practice Psychology.