The eLicensing system is back online. The launch of the new and improved system has been postponed to spring 2021. Learn more.
STAY INFORMED: Visit CDE’s COVID-19 Resources for Schools page
You are here
Standard Requirements for all Colorado Initial Special Services Licenses
An Initial Special Services License may be issued in the endorsement areas listed below to an applicant who:
- Holds a bachelor's or higher degree from an accepted, regionally accredited institution of higher education.
- Has completed an approved special services preparation program at an accepted, regionally accredited institution of higher education, including required supervised internship, practicum, and/or field experience.
- Has provided an approved program verification form.
- Has submitted a complete application for licensure, including official transcripts, associated fees, and other supporting documentation.
Additional requirements per special services license:
School Audiologist (Ages 0-21)
- AuD or PhD in School Audiology
- Completion of an approved program in School Audiology
- Practicum or internship in a school setting, equivalent to a minimum of 8 weeks full time (320 hours) under the supervision of a professionally-licensed or master's level licensed audiologist
- Passage of the national audiology exam (Praxis II Audiology): Praxis II 0342 or 5342. Passing Score: 170
School Counselor (Ages 0-21)
- Master's Degree or higher in School Counseling as defined by accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs
- Minimum of 100 clock hour practicum
- Minimum of 600 clock hour internship, with multiple grade levels of students under the supervision of a licensed school counselor
- Passing of the Colorado state approved content exam: PLACE #41 (min. score: 220) or PRAXIS 5421 (min. score: 156)
School Nurse (Ages 0-21)
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing from an accepted institution of higher education
- Must hold a license to practice professional nursing in Colorado pursuant to the provisions of the Colorado Nurse Practice Act or hold a license in another state and is practicing in Colorado pursuant to the nurse licensing compact
- Successful completion of field experiences and a supervised practicum as prescribed by the preparing institution, including experiences with school-age children in a community health/public health or school setting.
School Occupational Therapist
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accepted institution of higher education
- Successful completion of an American Occupational Therapy Association-accredited college or university program in occupational therapy
- Successful completion of a practicum or internship as required by the school of occupational therapy attended, which may be held in a variety of settings
- Must hold a valid occupational therapy license issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
- Passing of the occupational therapy national registration examination administered by the national board for certification in occupational therapy. NBCOT
School Orientation & Mobility Specialist
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accepted institution of higher education
- Completion of approved preparation program for school orientation and mobility specialists
- Completion of practicum or internship, which must be in a school setting and equivalent to a minimum of 320 hours, full-time, under the supervision of an Academy of Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) licensed orientation and mobility specialist.
- Passing of the ACVREP exam: ACVREP
- Hold a current and valid ACVREP orientation and mobility certificate.
School Physical Therapist
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accepted institution of higher education
- Successful completion of American Physical Therapy Association’s Commission on the Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education- accredited physical therapy program
- Successful completion of practicum or internship, as required by the physical therapy program attended
- Must hold a valid Colorado Physical Therapist License issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
School Psychologist
- Successful completion of an approved specialist-level program with a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours or a doctoral program for the preparation of school psychologists, serving children/students ages birth-21 at an accepted institution of higher education
- Passing of the national school psychology exam: National Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) certification or Praxis II 5402. Passing Score: 147.
- Successful completion of practicum consisting of a sequence of closely supervised on-campus or field-based activities, designed to develop and evaluate a candidate’s mastery of distinct professional skills, consistent with program and/or course goals
- Successful completion of internship consisting of a full-time experience over one year, or half-time over two years with a minimum of 1200 clock hours, of which 600 must be in a school setting
- The internship may include, beyond the 600 hours in the school setting, other acceptable internship experiences, including in private, state- approved educational programs or in other appropriate mental health or education-related programs.
- May hold a valid NCSP credential, issued by the national school psychology certification board.
School Social Worker
- Master’s degree or higher in social work from an accepted institution of higher education
- Documented evidence of completion of coursework in the areas of school and special education law, including content covering Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and the development of behavior intervention plans
- Successful completion of Colorado-approved content exam: Colorado Assessment for Licensed Clinical Social Workers or PLACE 47. Passing Score: 220.
- Successful completion of a supervised 900 clock-hour practicum in the field of social work which shall have been completed in a school, social service agency, mental health clinic or facility and/or hospital setting
- Successful completion of at least one field experience with school age children/students
School Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master’s degree or higher in communication disorders or speech-language pathology from an accepted institution of higher education
- Successful completion of a speech-language pathology program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in audiology and speech-language pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Practicum or internship, with children and students ages birth-21 in a school setting, equivalent to 8 weeks full-time (320 hours) under the supervision of a professionally licensed SLP
- Successfully passed a state approved SLP specialty area test: ASHA certification or Praxis II 5331. Passing Score: 162.
For technical problems with this page please contact the Web Content Coordinator.
Connect With Us
