Code of Colorado Regulations
700 - Department of Regulatory Agencies
744 - Division of Professions and Occupations - Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners
4 CCR 744-1 - BOARD OF ADDICTION COUNSELOR EXAMINERS RULES
Section 4 CCR 744-1.19 - CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (C.R.S. section 12-245-806)

1. Continuing Professional Competence.

Continuing Professional Competence (CPC) means the ongoing ability of licensed and certified addiction counselors to learn, integrate and apply the knowledge, skill, and judgment to practice according to generally accepted industry standards and professional ethical standards in a designated role and setting.

2. Continuing Professional Development.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the program through which a licensed or certified addiction counselor satisfies the Continuing Professional Competence requirements set forth in section 12-245-806, C.R.S., to renew, reinstate or reactivate a certificate or license.

3. Continuing Professional Development Portfolio.

The Continuing Professional Development Portfolio (CPD Portfolio) is an instructional guide and workbook for the CPD program.

4. Professional Development Hours.

Professional Development Hours (PDH) are the units of measurement of active learning used to accrue credit in the CPD program. PDH are equivalent to clock hours.

5. Professional Development Activities.

Professional Development Activities (PDA) are Board approved learning activities undertaken for the purpose of continuing professional development.

6. Professional Practice Survey.

The Professional Practice Survey ("Survey") is a reflective practice tool that identifies the foundational knowledge areas of the profession by one's professional role.

7. Personal Learning Plan.

The Personal Learning Plan ("Learning Plan") is a document used to plan and record learning for each cycle in the CPD program.

1. Licensed and certified addiction counselors shall demonstrate continuing professional competence through participation and compliance with the Continuing Professional Development program in order to renew, reinstate or reactivate a license or certificate to practice addiction counseling in the State of Colorado.

2. Licensed and certified addiction counselors must complete the following requirements in accordance with the current CPD Portfolio:

1. Certified and licensed addiction counselors shall document their completion of their PDA

and PDH according to the guidelines set forth in the current CPD Portfolio. Certified and licensed addiction counselors should be prepared to submit documentation of their CPD compliance upon request by the Board.

2. No more than twenty PDH in a single Professional Development Activity shall be credited and recognized each renewal cycle.

3. Certified and licensed addiction counselors receiving an original, reinstated or reactivated certificate or license during the renewal cycle must accrue one point sixty-six (1.66) PDH for each month or portion thereof they are certified or licensed during the current renewal cycle.

4. A maximum of five PDH may be carried from the last renewal cycle to the next renewal cycle if the PDH were earned within six months of license expiration, and are in excess of the forty PDH required for the current renewal cycle.

5. Certified and licensed addiction counselors shall retain documentation of their CPD compliance for a minimum of five years from the certificate or license expiration date for the renewal cycle during which PDH were accrued.

1. The Board allows the following PDA:

2. Professional Development Activities develop your professional skill and must be directly relevant to the certified or licensed addiction counselor's competence in the Behavioral Health field. Professional Development Hours cannot be accrued for activities that fulfill duties for one's primary role or job description.

3. It is within the discretion of the Board to deny credit for any PDH that does not meet the criteria set forth in the current CPD Portfolio or the definition of Continuing Professional Competence contained in section 12-245-806(3), C.R.S.

4. Unacceptable Professional Development Activities.

The following types of activities are ineligible for credit: Serving on a federal, state or municipal board or commission.

1. To be eligible for Deem Status pursuant to section 12-245-806(1)(c), C.R.S., a State Department CPC program must satisfy the definition of Continuing Professional Competence pursuant to section 12-245-806(3), C.R.S. Employees and contractors of qualifying programs in State Departments shall be deemed to have met the CPC requirements.

2. Certified and licensed addiction counselors deemed to have met the CPC requirements are subject to an audit. The audit shall review the program for which the certified or licensed addiction counselor has justified their Deem Status to ensure that it meets the definition of CPC outlined in section 12-245-806(3), C.R.S., and shall verify the certified or licensed addiction counselor's successful completion of the program.

3. Certified or licensed addiction counselors found to have falsified their Deem Status or who attested their fulfillment of CPC requirements for an unqualified State Department program, are subject to discipline by the Board.

1. Military Service.

The Board may grant exemptions from the CPD program requirements pursuant to section 12-20-302, C.R.S., including but not limited to, military personnel who have been called to federally funded active duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency, or contingency from the payment of any professional or occupational license, certification or registration fees, including renewal fees, and from continuing professional competency requirements for a renewal cycle that falls within the period of service or within the six months following the completion of service in the war, emergency or contingency.

2. Dual Licensure.

The Board may grant an exemption from the CPD requirement if the addiction counselor has fulfilled the CPD requirements set forth in sections 12-245-410, 12-245-506, or 12-245-606, C.R.S.