The Colorado Department of Education

Offices | Staff Contacts | Colorado.gov

Educator Licensing

Educator Licensing Applications

ATTENTION:
Beginning the first quarter of 2013, CDE’s Educator Licensing Office will no longer print and mail paper copies of educator licenses, endorsements, credentials or authorizations, unless specifically requested by the credential holder. Credentials, once approved, will be available for printing by the applicant via their eLicensing account.

Effective February 1, 2013, applications that have been successfully submitted to CDE will automatically be issued a number. This number will eventually become the credential number upon approval of the application. Until that time, the number will act as the receipt number for that particular application. The number itself DOES NOT indicate that a particular application has been approved and that the credential is valid. Always check the status of a particular credential for its validity. The status of “Issued” will indicate that a credential has been approved and has been issued.

Effective immediately, incomplete applications expire automatically after 90 days of inactivity, requiring applicants to reapply. Complete applications will be processed within 2-4 weeks.

Licenses and Authorizations offered:

  Initial Educator Licenses

This is for applicants who have completed an approved educator preparation program and are applying for the first time for a Colorado teaching, special services, principal, administrator or director of special education license.

  Renewals

This is for applicants who are renewing a current or expired Colorado educator license.

Initial Educator License - More Information   Initial Educator License - FAQs   Initial Educator License - Application    

Renewal Applicant - More Information   Renewal Applicant - FAQs   Renewal Applicant - Application    

  Substitute Authorizations

This is for applicants who serve as a day-to-day substitute teacher in any Colorado school district.

  Alternative Licenses

This is for applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and want to prepare to be a teacher or principal but have not completed an approved preparation program.

Substitute Authorization - More Information   Substitute Authorization - FAQs   Substitute Authorization - Application    

Alternative License - More Information   Alternative License - FAQs   Alternative License - Application    

  Initial to Professional Licenses

This is for applicants who hold a Colorado Initial license and have completed the requirements for a professional license.

  Added Endorsements

This is for applicants seeking a second or subsequent endorsement to their current Colorado educator license.

Initial to Professional License - More Information   Initial to Professional License - FAQs   Initial to Professional License - Application    

Added Endorsements - More Information   Added Endorsements - FAQs   Added Endorsements - Application    

  Career & Technical Education (CTE) Authorizations

This is for applicants who meet the educational and occupational qualifications to teach in an approved Career and Technical Education program.

  Additional Authorizations

This is for applicants who have not yet met the requirements for a Colorado Initial Educator License but provide specialized academic content or are enrolled in an approved educator preparation program.

Career & Technical Education (CTE) Applicant - More Information   Career & Technical Education (CTE) Applicant - FAQs   Career & Technical Education (CTE) Applicant - Application    

Authorizations - More Information   Authorizations - FAQs   Authorizations - Application    

ENFORCEMENT:
(formerly known as Investigations)

If your application is with the enforcement team and you would like to set up an appointment to discuss your application, please call (303) 866-6628 for available times. Appointments are Tuesdays and Thursdays only in 30 minute increments.


Licensure News

The Colorado Department of Education in partnership with the Colorado Department of Higher Education engaged The New Teacher Project in a study to re-examine the state's educator licensure system. Click here to view the recently released study entitled, "Making Licensure Matter." CDE is reviewing the study recommendations as it considers ways to improve the state's educator licensure system.