First Time Applicant (Initial)

Initial License Application - In-State

An initial license may be issued to applicants who have completed an approved educator preparation program in Colorado and can provide evidence of a passing score for their required content areaassessment. Applicants that have completed their program in a special services area must provide a copy of their valid professional license, certificate, or registration.

Colorado issues four types of licenses: Teacher, Special Services Provider, Principal, and Administrator (Superintendent or Director of Special Education).

Initial License Application - Out-Of-State

Applicants who hold a standard license or certificate in another state or country or have completed the requirements for a license or certificate in another state or country but have not yet been issued a license or certificate in that state, may apply for an Initial or First Time License.

Convert Initial License to a Professional License

A professional license may be issued to an applicant who holds a Colorado initial license and has completed a Colorado State Board of Education approved induction program. Contact the school principal or the district's Personnel/Human Resources office for information about an approved induction program. The only requirement to move from an initial license to a professional license is completion of an induction program. It is not necessary to complete renewal credit.

5-Year and 3-Year Substitute Authorization Requirements

A substitute authorization allows you to work in a Colorado public school as a substitute teacher. The substitute authorizations are issued without grade level or subject endorsement area designations.

1-Year Substitute Authorization Requirements

A one-year substitute authorization requires a high school diploma or equivalent.  Not all school districts in Colorado will hire an applicant who holds a one-year substitute authorization.The substitute authorizations are issued without grade level or subject endorsement area designations.

Added Endorsement

There are two routes available for adding an endorsement to a valid Colorado license:

Additional Endorsement Based on an Approved Program

Educators seeking to add a second or subsequent endorsement area to their valid Colorado licenses may do so through the completion of a state-approved program offered by an institution of higher education. The college or university provides advisement concerning specific requirements for the new endorsement. The Educator Licensing Office can provide the names of colleges in Colorado approved to offer teaching, special services, and administrative endorsements. The applicant must successfully complete thecontent area assessment in the endorsement being sought. Upon completion of the program, the institution provides a recommendation to the Department of Education for the added endorsement.

Additional Endorsement Based on Credit and Assessment

Teachers seeking to add a second or subsequent endorsement to their Colorado licenses may do so through a combination of academic preparation and assessment only in thefollowing endorsement areas.