HB 19-1019 Summary

• Establishes continuing professional competency requirements for registered psychotherapists in Colorado, mirroring existing requirements for social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, and addiction counselors.

• Requires the state board of registered psychotherapists to adopt rules by March 1, 2020 establishing a minimum standard of professional competency including a high school diploma or passing General Educational Development (GED) examination score for entry into the profession.

• Mandates the board establish a continuing professional competency program requiring registered psychotherapists to complete self-assessments of knowledge and skills, develop and execute a learning plan, and periodically demonstrate knowledge and skills through documentation of activities.

• Allows the board to deny licensure, registration, or reinstatement to applicants unable to demonstrate continued professional competence as required under the new standards.

• Takes effect upon passage, with conditional provisions for sections 3 and 4 that take effect October 1, 2019 only if House Bill 19-1172 becomes law.