[Skip to the chapter](#reading)

Colorado / care notes

State rules chapter · Permission comes first

# Who may treat you in Colorado?

Ask what kind of health professional will see you. Then ask how their licence covers care in Colorado.

Colorado rules below are dated September 26, 2026.

## A licence elsewhere is not the full answer

Controlled drug

A drug the government keeps extra track of because it can be misused.

As of September 26, 2026, health professionals licensed in another state can register to give online care in Colorado if they meet the state’s rules.

This online-care registration alone does not allow them to open an office or see patients in person in Colorado.

Ask whether the person holds a full state licence or an online-care registration. Ask the board to explain any unclear answer.

As of September 26, 2026, a person using this online-care registration cannot prescribe controlled drugs. This restriction is on the registration, rather than a full Colorado licence.

Testosterone is controlled under federal law as of that date.

## Ask who can write the prescription

Nurse practitioner

A nurse with more training in assessing and treating patients. Prescribing means writing medicine orders.

As of September 26, 2026, Colorado nurse practitioners can earn full permission to prescribe by meeting state requirements.

Nurse practitioners may prescribe only for the kinds of patients and care their training covers.

Physician assistants are licensed to provide care and work under a written agreement with a doctor.

As of September 26, 2026, that doctor or doctor group must practise in Colorado.

Ask who will assess you, who will prescribe, and who will answer later questions.

## Ask for the role behind the name

State permission

A licence, certificate or registration that lets the person give care. Ask what care it covers.

As of September 26, 2026, a Colorado care ad that names a health professional must say what kind of state licence, certificate or registration they hold.

At the first visit, they must say what state licence, certificate or registration they hold, or give a job title that state law allows.

An emergency can excuse that step if it makes it impractical.

If you hear only specialist, ask them to name their licence, certificate or registration. Ask the board if you are unsure what their answer means.

Ask it this way

What kind of health professional are you? Which state licence or registration lets you assess me and write a prescription here?

Source information checked: September 26, 2026.

### Check the registration route

Check what the state permission covers. Ask about the medicine’s approval as a separate step.

[Read Colorado’s telehealth guidance](https://dpo.colorado.gov/CustomerService/TelehealthFAQ)

[Read the clinician disclosure law](https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/2025a_152_signed.pdf)

[Return to the introduction](/) [Next: Check a licence](/licence-chapter/)

A little clarity for your next care conversation: these pages offer guidance; we neither operate a clinic nor sell any medicines.

[Official source guide](/source-guide/) [Read this chapter as text](/state-rules-chapter/index.md)