Preparing to Apply
Am I in the Right Place?
This checklist is for applicants who hold an interim administrator (not principal) authorization, have already completed a Colorado State Board of Education-approved content exam, and are seeking a Colorado initial administrator license. If you hold a different type of interim authorization, please review the other checklists and make the appropriate selection.
Plan Ahead
- You will need electronic copies of all documentation.
( Get Help with Document Scanning ) - Allow ample time to request any third party transcripts or other documentation.
Application Fee:
$90.00 in-state
$110.00 out-of-state
License Expires:
3 years from date of issue
Checklist
Identification
- In most cases, additional fingerprinting is not required for this type of application.
- If you already hold a valid, CDE-issued educational credential and have consistently maintained an active credential (authorization or license) since you submitted your fingerprints, you can skip this step. We reserve the right to evaluate your application for adherence to the fingerprint requirements and will notify you by email should any follow-up be needed.
- If you have submitted fingerprints for CDE credentialing in the past, but allowed all credentials to lapse and have held no active credential for a period exceeding 1 year, you must submit a new set of fingerprints.
( View Fingerprinting Instructions )
- Confirm you have a valid form of government-issued identification.
( View List of Valid IDs )
Education
- Obtain a copy of your official test score report.
Employment
- Within the application you must include employment history for at least the past 5 years.
- Include employer/business name, dates of employment, reason for leaving, work addresses, supervisor names, and contact information.
- Include teaching experience from more than 5 years ago, if you have it.
Self-Disclosure
- If applicable, obtain supporting documentation on the following:
- Past criminal history
- Disciplinary actions
- Any issues related to licensure or employment
Register and Apply
Once you have gathered all of the information listed above, you are ready to begin the online application process! Just register for the eLicensing system or, if you are already registered, log in.
Then, select the application titled "Administrator" to get started.
Register or, if already registered, Log In
For questions, email CDELicensing@cde.state.co.us or call 303-866-6628.
