Code of Colorado Regulations
700 - Department of Regulatory Agencies
755 - Professions and Occupations - Office of Natural Medicine Licensure
4 CCR 755-1 - NATURAL MEDICINE LICENSURE RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 2 - LICENSURE

1. Be over the age of 21;

2. Provide proof of Basic Life Support or equivalent certification;

3. Submit a complete application, in a manner approved by the Director; and

4. Pay the application fee.

1. The Director will review all applications and may request additional information, including verifications, if necessary. Upon review of a complete application, the Director may:

2. If the Director authorizes licensure subject to conditions, and an applicant rejects the conditional terms, the offer for conditional licensure shall be deemed a denial of application.

3. The Director may deny an application if the applicant:

4. If the Director denies an application, the applicant has 60 days to request a hearing on the denial. If requested, the Director will file a notice of denial with the office of administrative courts to adjudicate the merits of the denial, in accordance with section 24-4-105, C.R.S.

5. The Director may authorize an applicant to withdraw their application and waive the applicant's right to a hearing, if requested by the applicant.

1. Basis: The authority for promulgation of these rules and regulations by the Director is set forth in sections 12-20-202, 12-20-204, 12-170-105(1)(a)(IV), and 24-4-201 et seq., C.R.S.

2. Purpose: The following rules and regulations have been adopted by the Director to implement the requirements set forth in section 12-20-202(4), C.R.S., and to otherwise streamline licensure for applicants with relevant military education, training, or experience, pursuant to section 24-4-201, et seq., C.R.S.

3. Credit for Military Education, Training, or Experience

4. Military Experience as Demonstration of Continued Competency for Licensees

5. Healing Center Affiliation

1. An individual holding a Facilitator license is authorized independently to provide natural medicine services to those participants for whom a safety screen demonstrating generally accepted standards of practice does not identify risk factors suggesting a need for involvement of a medical or behavioral health provider.

2. Individuals holding licensure or authorization to practice a profession that does not diagnose and treat medical or behavioral health conditions may become licensed as a Facilitator licensee. If an individual holds licensure or authorization to practice a profession which is otherwise inconsistent with the practice limitations of facilitation, may not practice both professions simultaneously, and therefore may become licensed as a Facilitator licensee. Inconsistencies could arise regarding, for example, limitations on supportive touch which would prohibit certain simultaneous secondary practice. Indigenous and religious practitioners who choose to engage in the regulated practice of facilitation and who do not otherwise qualify for licensure as a Clinical Facilitator, may apply for a Facilitator license.

3. Applicants need not hold any secondary licensure. Individuals who have successfully completed an Approved Training Program and hold such certification, and who meet the general requirements for applicants in Rule 2.1, are eligible to apply for a Facilitator license.

4. A Facilitator licensee may not independently engage in the "practice of medicine," as defined by section 12-240-107, C.R.S., in conjunction with the administration of natural medicine.

5. A Facilitator licensee may not independently practice "psychotherapy," as defined by section 12-245-202(14), C.R.S., in conjunction with the administration of natural medicine.

6. A Facilitator shall utilize a safety screen meeting generally accepted standards of practice. Without further action as outlined in this Section 2.2, a facilitator may not independently provide natural medicine services to participants if the safety screen identifies risk factors that suggest the need for involvement of a medical or behavioral health provider. This limitation does not apply to participants whose conditions are in remission.

7. Facilitator licensees may not provide natural medicine services to participants who are taking lithium or antipsychotic medications.

8. A Facilitator licensee may provide natural medicine services to participants with risk factors as referred to in paragraphs 2.2(A)(6) or the medications identified in paragraph 2.2(A)(7), if the participant has received a referral for natural medicine services, has been provided medical clearance by the participant's medical or behavioral health provider, or has engaged in consultation and risk review with a medical or behavioral health provider. The provider may be licensed in Colorado or in the participant's state of residence, but must be licensed to diagnose and treat the participant's physical or behavioral health condition(s) identified as a risk factor(s) by the safety screening. If applicable, the Facilitator must document and maintain reasonable evidence of such consultation and risk review, and if the consultation and risk review identifies heightened risk associated with a specific condition, the participant must work with the Facilitator to develop a safety plan, informed by the consultation and risk review, and provide written informed consent to work with the Facilitator. A Facilitator may decline to provide Natural Medicine Services to a participant for any health or safety reason.

9. A Facilitator licensee must recommend in writing that any prospective participant who is taking a psychotropic medication identified as a risk factor on the safety screen should obtain applicable medical and behavioral health clearance from a physician (MD) or (DO), an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (APN), a Physician Assistant (PA), or a Clinical Facilitator with prescribing authority prior to administering natural medicine services. If the consultation and risk review identify heightened risk associated with a specific medication, the participant must work with the Facilitator to develop a safety plan, informed by the medical consultation and review, and provide written informed consent to work with the Facilitator. A Facilitator may decline to provide Natural Medicine Services to a participant for any health and safety reasons.

1. In addition to the general requirements for licensure identified in paragraph 2.1, to obtain a Facilitator license, an applicant must successfully complete:

2. In the alternative, an applicant may demonstrate to the Director that they are eligible for licensure through completion of accelerated training pursuant to Rule 2.4.

3. Applicants must apply to renew their license prior to expiration.

1. Education, experience, or credentials that are substantially equivalent to those required by Article 170 of Title 12, C.R.S.; or

2. Has held for at least one year a current and valid license as a Facilitator in a jurisdiction with a scope of practice that is substantially similar to the scope of practice for Facilitator licensees as specified in Article 170 of Title 12, C.R.S., and these rules.

1. The applicant has substantially equivalent education, experience, or credentials that are required by Article 170 of Title 12, C.R.S., which experience includes facilitation for at least 40 participants; with at least 200 hours of experience conducting administration sessions; and occurring over a period of at least two years;

2. The applicant has not committed an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under Article 170 of Title 12, C.R.S.;

3. The applicant has submitted an application on the current Director approved form and has paid the application fee.

4. The applicant has demonstrated completion of Basic Life Support certification or equivalent.

5. The applicant has demonstrated successful completion of the 25-hour module/educational coursework on Ethics and Colorado Natural Medicine Rules and Regulations, set forth in Rule 2.6 (D)(5).

6. In their discretion, the Director will consider all supporting information in their determination of applications.

1. Clinical Facilitator licensees may provide natural medicine services to participants for the purpose of treating physical or behavioral/mental health conditions. A Clinical Facilitator licensee must hold current and active Colorado licensure in a profession that authorizes them to diagnose and treat physical or behavioral/mental health conditions.

2. A Clinical Facilitator licensee shall utilize a safety screen meeting generally accepted standards of practice. A Clinical Facilitator may only treat medical or behavioral health conditions that are appropriately treated within the scope of their secondary (non-facilitation) license. No licensee is authorized to practice outside of or beyond their area of training, experience, competence, or secondary (non-facilitation) licensure. A Clinical Facilitator who does not manage or treat a participant's physical or mental condition (including conditions such as cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, diseases of the liver, seizure disorders, severe chronic medical illness, or terminal illness) must contact the participant's treating provider prior to providing natural medicine services unless good cause exists. For example, good cause exists if there is no treating provider or if the participant's treating provider is employed by or contracted with a government or private entity that prohibits the treating provider from providing clearance. Clinical Facilitator Licensees who do not prescribe lithium or antipsychotic medications within the scope of their secondary license may not independently provide natural medicine services to participants who are taking such medications, without clearance from, or a consultation and risk review with a medical or behavioral health provider practicing within their scope of practice.

3. Nothing in this rule prevents a Clinical Facilitator from providing natural medicine services to a participant with risk factors identified in the safety screen required by Rule 2.2(A)(6) that fall outside of the Clinical Facilitator's scope of practice for their secondary license, provided the participant has received a referral for natural medicine services by the participant's treating medical or behavioral health provider, or has engaged in consultation and risk review with a medical or behavioral health provider. The participant's provider may be licensed in Colorado or in the participant's state of residence, but must be licensed to diagnose and treat the participant's physical or behavioral health condition(s) identified as risk factor(s) by a safety screen. If applicable, the Clinical Facilitator must document and maintain reasonable evidence of such consultation and risk review, and if the consultation and risk review identifies heightened risk associated with a specific condition, the participant must work with the Clinical Facilitator to develop a safety plan, informed by the consultation and risk review, and provide written informed consent to work with the Clinical Facilitator. A Clinical Facilitator may decline to provide Natural Medicine Services to a participant for any health or safety reason.

4. When clinically appropriate, Clinical Facilitator licensees may advise and collaborate with Facilitator Licensees to provide natural medicine services for participants with physical or behavioral health risk factors.

5. To the extent that a Clinical Facilitator licensee provides facilitation services to participants that also include services within the scope of practice of their secondary license, the Director recommends that any evaluation of the licensee's performance of services be assessed first within the context of generally accepted standards of practice for facilitation of natural medicine services.

1. If an individual holds a Clinical Facilitator license and a license issued by the Colorado Medical Board, the State Board of Nursing, or Mental Health Boards (secondary license), and the individual allows their secondary license to expire, or if the secondary license is inactivated, the Clinical Facilitator licensee may no longer practice as a Clinical Facilitator and may not endorse themselves as such.

2. Any Clinical Facilitator licensee whose secondary license is restricted, revoked, suspended, or otherwise limited must report the disciplinary action to the Director within 30 days.

1. To obtain a Clinical Facilitator license, an applicant must demonstrate:

1. The Director may consider submission of successful completion of alternative educational programs or coursework in lieu of completion of the requirements set forth in the rules setting forth the required components for an Approved Facilitator Training Program. An applicant may petition the Director to consider such alternate educational coursework at the time of application, with submission of transcripts and any other descriptive course details as requested by the Director.

1. All of the general requirements set out in Rule 2.1;

2. Either successful completion of the didactic coursework from an Approved Facilitator Training Program or submission of successful completion of alternative coursework that is substantially equivalent;

3. 40 hours of supervised practicum training in the facilitation of natural medicine;

4. 50 hours of consultation; and

5. A 25 hour module on Ethics and Colorado Natural Medicine, including education on:

1. The applicant has been invited by a natural medicine education program in this state to serve as a member of its academic faculty for the period of their appointment;

2. The applicant's natural medicine practice is limited to that required by their academic position, the limitation is so designated on the license in accordance with the Director's procedure, and the natural medicine practice is also limited to healing centers or any other physical locations affiliated with the education program on which the applicant will serve as a faculty member;

1. The applicant holds a current facilitator license in good standing in their home jurisdiction or in any other country.

2. The applicant's facilitator education and training meets or exceeds the minimum educational requirements for Facilitator licensure in Colorado.

3. The applicant holds a national or professional certification conferred by a national professional organization in the field of psychedelic medicine OR holds certification outside of the United States.

4. The applicant has undergone extensive clinical post-graduate training in facilitation.

5. The applicant has demonstrated recent clinical experience by being actively and continuously involved in the practice of facilitation for at least a two year period immediately preceding the filing of the application and has demonstrated expertise that meets or exceeds the clinical skills required by the faculty position.

6. The applicant has demonstrated teaching ability to include prior experience in an academic position, including other visiting professorships or professorships.

7. The applicant has published peer-reviewed articles or noteworthy research in respected medical or scientific publications.

8. The applicant's training, skills, talents or demonstrated experience as a teacher or mentor in natural medicines or in traditional or spiritual practices related to natural medicine facilitation will contribute uniquely to facilitator education in Colorado.

9. The applicant demonstrates that they will continue to contribute uniquely to facilitator education in Colorado during the ensuing period of licensure.

10. The applicant's other facilitator licenses and privileges are unrestricted and have not been subject to discipline by any licensing body or health care entity and the applicant is not under investigation by any licensing body or health care entity.

11. The applicant is free from prior malpractice judgments, settlements, or their equivalent.

12. The applicant should not have been convicted of any felony offenses against persons or property, or those involving fraud, dishonesty, moral turpitude, domestic violence, child/elder abuse, or drug diversion. Examples of such felony crimes include, but are not limited to, those felonies identified in Articles 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, and 7 of Title 18 of the Colorado Revised Statutes and section 18-18-405, C.R.S. An applicant should not have been convicted of any corresponding felony offense in another state or jurisdiction. In considering applications from individuals with any of the identified felony convictions, the Director will apply rehabilitation principles identified in sections 12-20-205 and 24-5-101, C.R.S.

1. A description of the applicant's experience in their practice of facilitation, which may take the form of a CV but need not.

2. A letter from the Director of a DORA Approved Facilitation Training Program on which the applicant will serve, identifying:

3. A biographical statement from the applicant, summarizing their qualifications to teach within their assigned subject matter. This statement should note the experience or qualifications of the instructor to provide educational instruction and/or student supervision. (Up to 500 words)

4. Attestation of additional materials collected by the training program to verify the experience and skill of the instructor (including, but not limited to, personal narratives, client references, community references, or professional references).

1. An updated description of their experience;

2. An updated list of publications and teaching experience;

3. Continued education; and

4. Copies of the applicant's teaching evaluations or other program evaluations since the last renewal application.

5. Renewal applicants are encouraged to seek full licensure as a Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator. Renewal applicants will be encouraged to provide detailed information for the applicant's plans to obtain Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator licensure, pursuant to Rules 2.4 or 2.5, respectively.

1. A Distinguished Educator licensee may only perform facilitation in the context of training programs.

2. A Distinguished Educator licensee may not accept payment or remuneration, other than their compensation from the educational institution, for facilitation services.

3. A Distinguished Educator licensee is not authorized to provide facilitation services at a healing center that is not affiliated with an Approved Facilitator Training Program unless the Distinguished Educator works directly with another Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator.

1. The applicant has completed all didactic education requirements of an Approved Facilitation Training Program;

2. The applicant has successfully completed Basic Life Support or equivalent training; and

3. The person is not otherwise eligible for or licensed to practice as a Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator licensee.

1. Following completion of didactic educational requirements, Training licensees must complete 40 hours of supervised practicum.

2. Training licensees must operate under the supervision of a facilitator licensed within the state in which the training is provided and associated with a DORA Approved Training Program of who is willing to supervise their work as a training licensee.

3. Training licensees must participate in and document regular meetings (virtual or in person) with their supervising facilitator.

1. Following successful completion of all didactic and practicum requirements, Training licensees must engage in consultation with an individual experienced in the provision of natural medicine services for a minimum of 50 hours, over a six (6) month period.

2. Consultation may be provided virtually.

3. Consultation may be provided in groups of up to 10 Training licensees.

4. Consultants must maintain documentation contemporaneously within the consultation period to reflect expectations of the period. Training licensees must maintain documentation of supervision hours. Consultants must verify documentation of hours associated with consultation activities.

5. Consultation must include 10 hours of ethical discussion focused on ethical issues that arise in the licensee's work as facilitators.

6. Training licensees may charge for services they provide to participants during this 6-month consultation period.

7. Consultants should undertake case review of the training licensee's provision of natural medicine services.

8. Consultants must provide a structured evaluation addressing the following competencies assessed during the consultation period:

1. Facilitator and Clinical Facilitator Licensees:

2. Distinguished Educator Licensees:

3. Training License

1. Basis and Purpose and Authority.

The purpose of this Rule is to establish the qualifications and procedures for reinstatement of an expired license pursuant to sections 12-20-202, 12-20-404(3), 12-170-105(1)(a)(II), and 12-170-(105)(1)(a)(IV), C.R.S.

1. Any licensee whose Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator license is in good standing, and who does not have a pending investigation or disciplinary action, may inactivate their license by submitting a request to the Director.

1. Upon application, a licensee with an inactive Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator license may seek to reactivate their license.

2. An applicant seeking to reactivate an inactive license must complete a reactivation application and pay a fee.

3. If the license was inactivated for more than two (2) years, an applicant must demonstrate "competency to practice" under section 12-20-202(2)(c)(II), C.R.S., as follows: