The Colorado Department of Education

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Alternative Licensing Programs

There are four basic steps in the alternative process of preparation for initial licensure:

STEP 1: Application

  1. BACKGROUND CHECK: Submit fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
    1. The applicant will be contacted if additional information is required related to the criminal background check.
  2. APPLICATION: Complete the Application for the Alternative Teacher License or Alternative Principal Authorization
    1. The applicant will be notified if additional documents are required or if the applicant does not meet requirements.

STEP 2: Application Approval, Employment, and Program Participation

  1. STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY: Following CDE approval of the application, a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) is issued. The SOE verifies that the background experience and/or content requirements have been met and that the criminal background check has been cleared. The SOE is required prior to employment and participation in an alternative program.
  2. EMPLOYMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM: With the SOE the candidate may now:
    1. seek employment in a school district or accredited nonpublic school and
    2. enroll in an alternative program provided by an approved Designated Agency.

The candidate must be employed full-time as an Alternatively licensed Teacher.  For purposes of these Rules, full-time shall mean a 100% contract by which the alternative teacher is assigned to teach a minimum of 51% in the approved endorsement area.

STEP 3: Issuance of Alternative Teacher License or Alternative Principal Authorization

  1. ALTERNATIVE LICENSE/AUTHORIZATION: Once employment in the approved endorsement area and participation in an alternative preparation program is verified, CDE issues an Alternative Teaching License or Alternative Principal Authorization. The Designated Agency will assist in completing the required documentation.

STEP 4: Program Completion and Application for Initial License

  1. INITIAL LICENSE: Upon successful completion of all program requirements the applicant may apply for initial licensure.

The Statement of Eligibility does NOT guarantee employment. You must compete with other Alternative Program candidates as well as fully-licensed educators for employment.

The Statement of Eligibility is NOT a license. It is the first step to participate in an alternative program.

Employment as an alternative teacher or principal and/or participation in an alternative preparation program prior to issuance of a Statement of Eligibility will NOT be accepted for purposes of program completion and preparation for initial licensure.

> > To apply for the Alternative Principal Program click here to REGISTER your lifetime account< <

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