Professional FAQs

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In 2009 the Colorado State Legislature passed HB09-1086 entitled “Concerning Continuing Professional Competency of Certain Mental Health Professionals”. This bill was introduced by four mental health professions (Addiction Counselors, Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists and Social Workers) and supported by DORA (DORA supports continuing professional development as a whole). Prior to the introduction of the bill, the mental health professional associations met to discuss support for this bill.

Certified Addiction Counselors II and III
Licensed Addiction Counselors
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
Licensed Professional Counselors
Licensed Social Workers
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
 

The Colorado Legislature mandated that the Continuing Professional Development program begin on January 1, 2011. This means participation will be required for the renewal cycle ending on August 31, 2011. Because the program starts during the current renewal cycle, the Board will allow licensees to complete the program requirements in two parts. The Self Assessment, Practice Survey and drafting of the Learning Plan (Steps 1 – 2) must be completed before August 31, 2011. The implementation of the Learning Plan and all Professional Development Activities as well as their required documentation must be completed during September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2013. During a normal renewal cycle, Steps 1 - 5 would all be completed during the term of the cycle. For example, licensees/certificants will be required to complete Steps 1 – 5 during the renewal cycle that runs from September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2015. 

You will need to attest upon each renewal that you have complied with the Continuing Professional Development program requirements. The Continuing Professional Development cycle coincides with the existing license cycle. You have the full timeframe between two renewal cycles to complete your Professional Practice Survey, Self-Assessment, Learning Plan, Professional Development Activities, Documentation, and Self-Evaluation. Typically the two-year timeframe begins and ends on odd numbered years.

The purpose of the Continuing Professional Development program is consumer protection achieved by promoting high standards and quality assurance with respect to the Addiction Counseling profession. The intent of the program is one of enrichment rather than remediation. The Board's objective is not to police the profession to discover the "bad apples."

The CPD program is based upon the assumption that both internal factors (interest, job promotions, etc.) and external factors (new technology, law, etc.) offer the opportunity to further develop knowledge and skill. Professional Development Activities develop your professional skill and must be directly relevant to your competence in the Addiction Counseling field. PDAs should develop your professional skill and must be directly relevant to your competence in the behavioral health field. Professional Development Hours cannot be accrued for activities that fulfill duties for your primary role or job description. Within these guidelines, you should be the judge of your learning goals and achievement. The Board will verify that you have completed the requirements of the CPD program by ensuring you have finished the Professional Practice Survey, Learning Plan, and the 40 PDH required each renewal cycle. In the event of an audit, the Director will also require you to submit documentation of the PDAs on your Learning Plan.
 

By statute, all the records of assessments or other documentation developed or submitted in connection with the CPD program are intended to be confidential and not subject to inspection by the public or discoverable in connection with a civil action against an Addiction Counselor unless specifically ordered by a Court. However, the records of assessments or other documentation developed or submitted in connection with the CPD program may be used by the Board for the purposes of determining whether an Addiction Counselor is maintaining continuing professional competency to engage in the profession.

Addiction Counselors should be aware however there may be circumstances where information regarding your failure to participate in the program and any subsequent disciplinary action may be reported to the public or other inquiring parties. For the full statute text, please refer to §12-43-805, C.R.S.
 

You may find it beneficial to use the CPD program as the basis of employee reviews and performance planning. You may choose to print, share or otherwise disclose this information at your will and discretion. Employers may not require you to disclose any CPD materials or make such disclosure a condition of employment. By statute, all the records of assessments or other documentation developed or submitted in connection with the CPD program are intended to be confidential and not subject to inspection by the public or discoverable in connection with a civil action against an Addiction Counselor unless specifically ordered by a Court. For the full text refer to §12-43-805(2)(a), C.R.S..

Continuing competency is an ongoing process. By completing the Professional Practice Survey and Self-Assessment you will be able to assess your strengths and identify the areas that you can enhance. This will enable you to develop a Learning Plan based on your personal learning needs. By developing your own Learning Plan, you have a greater chance of attaining the goals you have set for yourself.

The Board recommends you draft your Learning Plan immediately after taking the Survey and Self Assessment. The reason for this is that you are probably already focused on professional development and actively thinking about your interests. Planning early is important to help you accomplish your goals. By starting early, you will also assure there is ample time to change your Plan if something comes up.

Yes! Your Learning Plan is open to changes or updates during the licensure cycle. Your Learning Plan may not always be open to changes though. There are two events that may cause your Learning Plan to close after which you may not make changes or updates.

1. Once you renew your license/certificate, your Learning Plan will be locked. You will not be able to make changes to your previous Learning Plan. Because Continuing Professional Development is a requirement to renew your license/certificate, you must complete the Survey, Learning Plan and Documentation prior to renewing your license/certificate. When you renew your license/certificate, your Learning Plan will become subject to an audit for compliance.

2. All open Learning Plans will be closed to further changes or updates the day after the grace period ends for licensure/certification renewal. That day falls on November 1 of odd numbered years.

The last day to change your Learning Plan for the current cycle is November 1, 2013 or the day you renew your license/certificate, whichever comes first.
 

Board rule requires you keep your Documentation materials which may include certificates, programs, letters, presentations or copies for at least 5 years after the expiration of your license/certificate. For example, if your license expired on August 31, 2013, you should retain your documentation demonstrating your CPD compliance until August 31, 2018. Because audits are rolling, this documentation may be required of you either before or after your renewal period. An audit of your participation in the CPD program occurring before your renewal date for which you are accruing credit will take into account the possibility that all PDH may not be completed at the time of the audit.

Yes, Continuing Education coursework can be counted toward your PDH. In fact, you can use several types of coursework to accrue PDH. This includes academic coursework, attending conferences, lectures, and seminars. For a full list of eligible coursework activities, please refer to the PDA guidelines on page 5 of the Portfolio.

No. It is only necessary to complete one section of the Survey. If you occupy more than one role, you do not need to take all respective sections of the Survey. Choose one of your roles to focus on for this CPD cycle. The choice of which role you will assess is based upon your sole discretion. You may choose a role that you do not currently occupy but which you would like to develop and achieve for promotion or professional development reasons.

For example:
Sally works as a Professor as well as a Direct Service Provider at the clinic at the University. She does not need to take both the Educator/Trainer and Direct Service Provider sections of the Survey. Sally decides to assess herself on the Direct Service Provider role as this is the area that most interests her.
 

No. Stipulations and Final Agency Orders utilize continuing education to remediate sub-standard practice or other practice act violations. This type of discipline is strictly separate from the requirement to demonstrate continuing professional development through the accrual of PDH. If you are under Stipulation or a Final Agency Order which requires you to complete continuing education coursework, you must do so in addition to the CPD program requirements.

Not all CPD materials need to be submitted to DORA. Many are supplemental tools and for your private records. Use the list below to help navigate the program requirements:

1. Professional Practice Survey: Complete online through your user account on https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/cproweb/cpro.logon. DORA will track your completion of the Survey. Results will be compiled aggregately by license type. For this reason, you will not be able to access your results after you have completed the Survey. If you have not completed the Survey, you will not be able to renew your license.
    
2. Self-Assessment: Complete the Self-Assessment Worksheet provided for you in the CPD Workbook (page 7). Do not send your Self-Assessment to DORA or the Director. Retain your results for your personal records. The Self-Assessment is not subject to an audit of CPD compliance.
    
3. SMART Goals: Complete the SMART Goals Worksheet provided for you in the CPD Workbook (page 9). Do not send your SMART Goals Worksheet to DORA or the Director. Retain your results for your personal records. The SMART Goals Worksheet is not subject to an audit of CPD compliance.
    
4. Learning Plan: Complete the Learning Plan online through you user account. Your Learning Plan is subject to an audit to verify your participation in the CPD program. Completion of the Learning Plan is required in order to renew your license/certificate. If you have not completed your Learning Plan, you will not be able to renew your license/certificate.
    
5. Documentation: Retain the proper documentation of your PDAs according to the guidelines found on pages 10-12 of the CPD Portfolio. It is suggested you complete the corresponding documentation after completing each PDA on your Learning Plan and save them in a file. Should you be selected for an audit, you will be notified at which point this documentation will be required for submission to DORA. Your documentation should match the details on your Learning Plan by the time you renew your license/certificate.
    
6. Self-Evaluation: Complete the Self-Evaluation Worksheet provided for you in the CPD Workbook (page 13). Do not send your Self-Evaluation Worksheet to DORA or the Director. Retain your answers for your personal records. The Self-Evaluation Worksheet is not subject to an audit of CPD compliance.

Addiction Counselors should be aware however there may be circumstances where information regarding your failure to participate in the program and any subsequent disciplinary action may be reported to the public or other inquiring parties.

By statute, all the records of assessments or other documentation developed or submitted in connection with the CPD program are intended to be confidential and not subject to inspection by the public or discoverable in connection with a civil action against an Addiction Counselor unless specifically ordered by a Court. However, the records of assessments or other documentation developed or submitted in connection with the CPD may be used by the Board for the purposes of determining whether an Addiction Counselor is maintaining continuing professional competency to engage in the profession. For the full statute text, refer to §12-43-805(2)(a), C.R.S.