Colorado Facilitator Training: Becoming an Approved Facilitator in Colorado with The Synthesis Institute

Updated August 28, 2024

We are excited to announce our ongoing efforts to meet Colorado's rigorous requirements for becoming an approved Facilitator Training Program under the state's Natural Medicine Program by the end of 2024.

The Synthesis Institute closely follows developments in Colorado’s Natural Medicine Program as new regulatory requirements are nearing completion. 

We expect our Psychedelic Practitioner Training to fully comply with the anticipated facilitator training requirements, which have recently been adopted into law.

Our training program will offer all the stipulated requirements for our students to be eligible to apply for Facilitator* and Clinical Facilitator** licenses (see definitions below) in Colorado, including:

• To obtain a Training License, participants must complete 150+ hours of didactic education and basic life support training through the Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training.

Once participants have obtained a Training License, they must then, under supervision, complete the following training components to obtain a Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator license:

• 40+ hours of supervised practice training through the Synthesis Immersion Apprenticeship program

• 50+ hours of consultation through the Synthesis Practicum program 

Facilitator** licenses are for individuals who provide natural medicine services to participants whose safety screening, based on generally accepted standards of practice, does not identify risk factors that would suggest the need for the involvement of a medical or behavioral health provider.

Clinical Facilitator* licenses are for professionals who 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. They must hold an active and valid license in Colorado to practice any of the following:

1. (PSY) Psychologist, (LSW) Licensed Social Worker, (LCSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, (MFT) Marriage and Family Therapist, (LPC) Licensed Professional Counselor, or (LAC) Licensed Addiction Counselor; or

2. Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), advanced practice nurse (APN), including Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Physician Assistant (PA). 

For Synthesis Alumni, Current, and New Students

Existing students and alumni of the Synthesis Psychedelic Practitioner Training and new students enrolling in our Core Training before the Colorado track becomes available may be able to apply for a Colorado facilitator license once your training is complete. Additional curriculum requirements may be needed, which The Synthesis Institute will provide to ensure your experience matches the application requirements.

We will make more information available here as our application advances.

How is the legislature changing in Colorado?

Colorado's SB 23-290, which was signed into law on May 23, 2023, decriminalizes the personal use of certain psychedelics for adults 21 and older. This law allows individuals to grow, process, store, use, transport, obtain, share, or ingest psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote) without facing criminal penalties. However, selling these substances or using them for commercial promotion is prohibited, as is advertising related to sharing psychedelics or offering services used in conjunction with psychedelic consumption. Payments are allowed for specific services like harm reduction, therapy, and support, and educational materials and websites related to natural medicine are permitted.

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Colorado Department of Revenue will regulate the manufacture, cultivation, testing, storage, and sale of natural medicines. Initially, this applys to psilocybin and psilocin, with the potential addition of DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline in 2026.

Licensed healing centers can provide natural medicine services, including preparation, administration, and integration sessions facilitated by authorized professionals. Governor Polis has established the Natural Medicine Health Board to develop policy recommendations, and localities can regulate but not prohibit the operation of healing centers within their boundaries. 

Discover more about the Natural Medicine Licensure Rules and Regulation and other draft rules here.