Code of Colorado Regulations
700 - Department of Regulatory Agencies
736 - Division of Professions and Occupations - Board of Marriage and Family Therapist Examiners
4 CCR 736-1 - MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST EXAMINERS RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 4 CCR 736-1.16 - RECORDS REQUIRED TO BE KEPT AND RECORD RETENTION (C.R.S. sections 12-245-204(4), 12-245-224(1)(u))

Universal Citation: 4 CO Code Regs 736-1 § 16

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 5, March 10, 2024

A. General. Except as provided in subsection (D) of this Rule, every licensed marriage and family therapist shall create and shall maintain records on the primary client(s). Every licensed marriage and family therapist shall retain a record as defined in subsection (B) of this Rule, on the primary client(s) for a period of seven years, commencing on the termination of marriage and family therapy/psychotherapy services or on the date of last contact with the client(s), whichever is later. Exception. When the client is a child, the record shall be retained for a period of seven years commencing either upon the last date of treatment or when the child reaches eighteen years of age, whichever is later.

B. Record. Every licensed marriage and family therapist shall create and shall maintain, as applicable to the mental health services rendered, a record for the primary client(s) containing the following information:

1. Name of treating therapist;

2. Client's identifying data to include name, address, telephone number, gender, date of birth, and if applicable the name of the parent or guardian. If the client is an organization, the name of the organization, telephone number and name of the principal authorizing the mental health provider's services or treatment;

3. Reason(s) for the psychotherapy services;

4. Mandatory disclosure statement(s);

5. Dates of service including, but not limited to the date of each contact with client, the date on which services began, and the date of last contact with client;

6. Types of service;

7. Fees;

8. Any release of information;

9. The records must be prepared in a manner that allows any subsequent provider to yield a comprehensive conclusion as to what occurred;

10. Name of any test administered, each date on which the test was administered, and the name(s) of the person(s) administering the test;

11. Information on each referral made to and each consultation with another therapist or other health care provider. This information shall include the date of referral or consultation, the name of the person to whom the client was referred, the name of the person with whom consultation was sought; the outcome (if known) of the referral, and the outcome (if known) of the consultation;

12. Records of counseling, interview notes, correspondence, audio or visual recordings, electronic data storage, and other documents considered professional information for use in counseling; and

13. A final closing statement (if services are over), if applicable.

C. Record storage. Every licensed marriage and family therapist shall keep and store client records in a secure place and in a manner that both assures that only authorized persons have access to the records and protects the confidentiality of the records and of the information contained in the records.

D. Transfer of records. Whenever a Licensee deems it necessary to transfer her/his records to another licensee or other health care provider, the Licensee making the transfer shall obtain the client's consent to transfer (when possible).

E. Disposition of records. If the licensed marriage and family therapist is not available to handle her/his own records, the licensed marriage and family therapist and/or his/her estate shall designate an appropriate person to handle the disposition of records. A plan for the disposition of records shall be in place for all licensed marriage and family therapists for the following conditions:

1. Disability, illness, retirement, or death of the licensed marriage and family therapist;

2. Termination of the licensed marriage and family therapist's practice;

3. Sale or transfer of practice. The licensed marriage and family therapist or the estate designated representative shall make a reasonable effort to notify the primary client(s) of the transfer.

F. Record Destruction. Every licensed marriage and family therapist shall dispose of client records in a manner or by a process that destroys or obliterates all client identifying data. However, records cannot be destroyed until after seven years or as otherwise provided in these Rules or any other applicable statutes.

G. Record keeping in agency/institutional settings. A licensed marriage and family therapist need not create and maintain separate client records if the licensed marriage and family therapist practices in an agency or institutional setting and the licensed marriage and family therapist:

1. Sees the client in the usual course of that practice;

2. Keeps client records as required by the agency or institution; and

3. The agency or institution maintains client records.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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