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Alternative Teacher License / Alternative Interim Authorization
Preparing to Apply
This checklist is for ...
Individuals seeking to participate in a Colorado alternative teacher preparation program under an alternative teacher license or an interim authorization specifically for alternative preparation purposes.
Not in the right place? Review the other checklists.
Before you begin:
- Review "Alternative Teacher Candidates: What you Need to Know" to ensure you meet the requirements and understand the alternative licensure pathways and processes.
- Alternative teacher license candidates: You must demonstrate content knowledge for the requested endorsement area. Please ensure that you meet endorsement requirements.
- If you have not yet secured a teaching position and/or enrolled in a program, you still may submit this application to determine whether you meet the requirements to participate in a Colorado-approved program as an alternative teacher
- Once confirmed, your application will reflect an "information needed" status, and you will be notified via the system that you qualify.
- You will have 60 days from the date of first notification that something additional is needed to complete your application to secure a teaching position, enroll in a program and upload a completed statement of assurance (see below) in order to obtain an alternative license.
- You will not be licensed to teach until an alternative license is issued.
- If you have not yet secured a teaching position and/or enrolled in a program, you still may submit this application to determine whether you meet the requirements to participate in a Colorado-approved program as an alternative teacher
- Interim authorization candidates: You must have secured a teaching position and be enrolled in an approved Colorado alternative program to qualify.
- Important Note: Upon issuance, you will receive notification of what you will need to do to demonstrate content competency, which will be required to complete the alternative program and qualify for an initial teacher license.
Plan Ahead
- You will need electronic copies of all documentation.
- Allow ample time to request any third-party transcripts or other documentation.
- Be sure also to review the application process.
Application Fee:
$90
Alternative Teacher License Expires:
1, 2 or 3 years from date of issue, depending on endorsement area and length of program
Interim Authorization Expires:
1 year from date of issue. (May be renewed once for an additional year to complete a 2-year program.)
Gather the Necessary Information/Documentation
Alternative Teacher License Candidates: You will need the following to submit a complete ALTERNATIVE TEACHER application for an alternative teacher license:
- A valid form of government-issued identification.
- A copy of an official transcript for every college/university attended. [Unofficial transcripts are never accepted. Do not include them in your application.]
- Of these transcripts, at least one must be an official, degree-conferred transcript from a regionally accredited college or university that demonstrates a bachelor's or higher degree.
- Transcripts from institutions outside the US must be in English or include an authentic English translation and have been evaluated by a NACES member organization for course-by-course equivalency.
- Demonstration of content competency by way of the following:
- Official college transcripts showing a conferred degree in the endorsement area or completion of 24 semester hours of relevant college-level coursework in your endorsement area and a completed worksheet for the desired endorsement area (alternative endorsement areas and worksheets) or
- A copy of an official score report for the Colorado State Board of Education-approved exam for the desired endorsement area or
- A CDE-provided Multiple Measures of Content Competency approve notice
- All prior work experience.
- A completed Statement of Assurance form:
- Complete the applicant/candidate section of the Statement of Assurance of Employment form;
- Forward the form to your employing school district or BOCES for completion and request that it be returned to you.
- Provide the form to your approved program representative and request that the completed and signed version be returned to you.
- Read, initial and sign and date the bottom portion of this form.
- Include this form in your application OR upload in response to the notification of qualification to participate in an alternative program (see "Before you Begin" above).
- Complete the applicant/candidate section of the Statement of Assurance of Employment form;
- Documentation for any self-disclosures related to the following:
- Prior criminal history
- Disciplinary actions
- Issues related to licensure or employment
Interim Authorization Candidates: You will need the following to submit a complete ALTERNATIVE TEACHER application for an interim authorization:
- A valid form of government-issued identification.
- A copy of an official transcript for every college/university attended. [Unofficial transcripts are never accepted. Do not include them in your application.]
- Of these transcripts, at least one must be an official, degree-conferred transcript from a regionally accredited college or university that demonstrates a bachelor's or higher degree.
- Transcripts from institutions outside the US must be in English or include an authentic English translation and have been evaluated by a NACES member organization for course-by-course equivalency.
- All prior work experience.
- A completed Statement of Assurance form:
- Complete the applicant/candidate section of the Statement of Assurance of Employment form;
- Forward the form to your employing school district or BOCES for completion and request that it be returned to you.
- Provide the form to your approved program representative and request that the completed and signed version be returned to you.
- Read, initial and sign and date the bottom portion of this form.
- Documentation for any self-disclosures related to the following:
- Prior criminal history
- Disciplinary actions
- Issues related to licensure or employment
Then ...
- Log in to COOL to create your licensure account (if you have not already done so.)
- Submit fingerprints (via the dark blue "CDE licensure" icon) to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
- Ensure you have a current background check on file. You have 30 days from the time CDE receives your background check to apply for a license.
- If you have submitted fingerprints for CDE credentialing in the past, but allowed all credentials to lapse, applications to expire or did not submit within the 30-day window, you must submit a new set of fingerprints to CBI for licensure purposes.
- The status of your background checks will be noticed in your COOL account and within your application(s).
Have everything ready to go?
Once you have gathered all required documentation, have submitted fingerprints to CBI for CDE licensure purposes and have reviewed the licensure process, log in to COOL to complete and submit a ALTERNATIVE TEACHER application.
Final Reminders
At the risk of repeating ourselves, we again reiterate these important reminders:
- You have 30 days from the time CDE receives your background checks to submit an application or you will need to submit a new set of fingerprints for licensure purposes at the time of application.
- By submitting an application, you are verifying that you have submitted fingerprints for CDE licensure purposes, provided all requested documentation and answered all questions truthfully.
- Within 45 days of receipt, CDE will evaluate the application.
- Upon determination of qualification, CDE will notify the applicant and the corresponding certificate will be available for view or print in the individual's COOL account.
- Should the application be found incomplete, CDE will notify the applicant to specify the information needed to complete it.
- Notifications will be sent via email and available in your COOL account.
- An applicant has 60 days from the date of this notification to cure the deficiency (i.e., provide the necessary information or submit background checks) or submit to the department a written request for reconsideration stating the basis for the request. Additional time is not granted to those who receive this notification due to background checks. Any additional deficiency noticed also will need to be cured within the original 60-day period.
- CDE will provide a written response within 30 days of any request for reconsideration.
- Requests for reconsideration do not apply to background checks.
- An applicant who fails to cure the deficiency or request reconsideration within these 60 days will be deemed as having withdrawn the application, and such withdrawal shall not be subject to appeal or review.
- State statute prohibits the refunding of any application evaluation fee.
- Once you have submitted an application, it is your responsibility to check your COOL account regularly for notifications on its status and/or to print a copy of your certificate.
For questions, submit a Licensing Support Request form or call 720-739-3304 (7:30 am to 12:30 pm, Monday through Friday).
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