Educator Authorization Requirements

Colorado issues 14 authorizations.

General requirements for each are listed below; select the credential type for the application checklist for detailed requirements:

district-specific; and
bachelor's or higher degree* or five or more year's full-time experience in the content area
not for Special Education or Special Services areas

40+ content areas (each has specific content requirements); and
2,000 hours occupational experience in the content area
initial (3-year) CTE may not be renewed; must be advanced to a 5-year professional authorization

associate’s or higher degree in educational interpreting;*
certificate of completion on the EIPA written exam;and
successful performance on the appropriate performance exam (EIPA, Cued Language Transliterator or Oral Transliterator) - individuals who are awaiting exam results or who need to retake the exam may qualify temporarily; see application checklist for more information

not for Special Education or Special Services areas (see TEE);
district-specific;
bachelor’s or higher degree;* and
enrollment in an approved program (SLPA included), necessary coursework or required exam in the content area requested
may be renewed only once

district-specific;
participation in a district-recognized exchange educator program; and
holds/is eligible to hold a license as a teacher, special service provider, principal or administrator in another country
may be renewed only once

• JROTC certification

district-specific;
qualify for an adjunct authorization; and
demonstrate expertise in a Native American language of a federally recognized tribe
to renew, simply complete the application again

bachelor’s or higher degree in communication disorders or SLP* OR a bachelor’s degree* in any area and 24 semester hours in SLP coursework; and
completion of a SLP assistant program, including a 100-contact hour school-based practicum

district-specific; and
active enrollment in a special services provider program which requires completion of an internship
may not be renewed

5-Year: a valid or expired Colorado or other-state-issued teacher license
3-Year: bachelor’s or higher degree*
1-Year: attestation to successful work with children and high school diploma (minimum)
to renew, simply complete the application again

for Special Education and Special Services areas only;
district-specific;
bachelor’s or higher degree* (in any area); and
enrollment in a traditional preparation program for ECSE, special education generalists, gifted education, director of special education or of gifted education OR a special services area
may be renewed up to twice with ongoing progress toward meeting full licensure requirements

individuals from outside Colorado who hold/qualify to hold a teacher, principal or administrator license in another state, but who first need to satisfy Colorado’s endorsement requirements (determined upon evaluation of a complete application)
- refer to the Out-of-State page to apply for the appropriate license
- may be renewed once: Renew Interim Teacher / Renew Interim Principal / Renew Interim Administrator
individuals participating in a Colorado alternative teacher preparation program who do not demonstrate content knowledge at the time of enrollment and application
- refer to the alternative teacher application checklist and Teacher webpage
- may be renewed once to complete a 2-year program via the alternative teacher application checklist
- review the "Alternative Teacher Candidates: What You Need to Know" webpage for additional information