Endorsement Requirements

Agriculture and Natural Resources Education (7-12)  (PDF) - 4.03 (PDF)

5701 (147)

Business/Marketing (7-12) (PDF) - 4.05 (PDF)

5101 (154)  or  5561 (157)

Computer Science (K-12) - 4.08 (PDF)

Drama Theater Arts (K-12) (PDF) - 4.07 (PDF)

5641 (153)

English Language Arts (7-12) - 4.09 (PDF)

5038 (167)

Family and Consumer Sciences (7-12) (PDF) - 4.12 (PDF)

5122 (153)

Health (K-12) (PDF) - 4.11 (PDF)

5551 (155)

Mathematics

     Middle School (6-8) (PDF) - 4.23 (PDF)

     Secondary (7-12) (PDF) - 4.14 (PDF)

 5164 (157)

or

5169 (165) if taken between 09.01.2018 and 08.31.2022; accepted thru 08.31.2027

 5165 (159)

or

5161 (152) if taken between 09.01.2016 and 08.31.2022;
accepted thru 08.31.2027

Music (K-12) (PDF) - 4.15 (PDF)

5113 (161)

Physical Education (K-12) (PDF) - 4.16 (PDF)

5091 (148)

Science (7-12) (PDF) - 4.17 (PDF)

5435 (152)

Social Studies (7-12) (PDF) - 4.18 (PDF)

5081 (150)

Technology Education (7-12) (PDF) - 4.13 (PDF)

5051 (159)

Visual Arts (K-12) (PDF) - 4.04 (PDF)

5135 (158)

World Languages (K-12) (PDF) - 4.10 (PDF) (American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish)

• French 5174 (162)
• German 5183 (163)
• Japanese 5661 (156)
• Latin 5601 (152)
• Mandarin Chinese 5665 (164)
• Russian 5671 (130)
• Spanish 5195 (163)

**PRAXIS exams presently are not available for
ASL or Italian .**

• Added endorsement only: applicant must hold a Colorado initial or professional teacher license with a physical education endorsement
• Completion of an approved graduate-level program in adapted physical education for school-aged children, including a 200-hour practicum across elementary and secondary grade levels.

Early Childhood Education (ages 0-8) - 4.01 (PDF)

• For an initial license:
  • A bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college/university;
  • Completion of an approved program for the preparation of early childhood educators; AND
  • Passing scores on the following exams:
    • PRAXIS 5024 (160) AND
    • PRAXIS 5205 (159) 
• Existing Colorado teacher license-holders may add the endorsement via content exams only.

Elementary Education (K-6) (PDF) - 4.02 (PDF)

• For an initial license:
  • An earned bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college/university;
  • Completion of an approved preparation program in elementary education; AND
  • Passing scores on the following exams:
    • PRAXIS 5901 series (as outlined below) AND 
      • Mathematics 5903 (157) - 5003 also accepted (same exam, different number)
      • Social Studies 5904 (155) - 5004 also accepted (same exam, different number)
      • Science 5905 (159) - 5005 also accepted (same exam, different number)
    • PRAXIS 5205 (159)
• Existing Colorado teacher license-holders may add the endorsement via content exams only.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (K-12) (PDF) - 4.21 (PDF)

• Added endorsement only; applicant must hold or be eligible to hold a Colorado teacher license in another endorsement area
• Completion of a Colorado-approved program OR 24 semester hours of specific coursework completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Bilingual Education Specialist (K-12) (PDF) - 4.22 (PDF)

• Added endorsement only; applicant must hold or be eligible to hold a Colorado teacher license in another endorsement area
• Completion of a Colorado-approved Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Bilingual program OR the coursework for a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse endorsement (see worksheet in previous section) AND fulfillment of competency requirements outlined on the CLD Bilingual worksheet (at left).

Dance (K-12) (PDF) - 4.20 (PDF)

• A bachelor's or higher degree in dance and completion of an approved teacher preparation program in dance OR a bachelor's or higher degree in any content area along with 24 semester hours of specific coursework (identified on the worksheet (at left) and completion of an approved teacher preparation program in dance.

Gifted Education Core (PreK-12) (PDF) - 5.06 (PDF)

• Added endorsement only; applicant must hold a valid Colorado teacher license.
• Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for the preparation of gifted education educators, including prescribed field experience and student teaching requirements, or 24 semester hours of specific coursework requirements outlined in the Gifted Education worksheet at left.
• PRAXIS Gifted Education 5358 exam (min score: 157)

Gifted Education Specialist (PreK-12) - 5.07 (PDF)

• Added endorsement only; must hold a valid Colorado teacher license with a Gifted Education Core endorsement.
• Master’s degree in Gifted Education from an regionally accredited institution including prescribed field experience and student teaching requirements.
  • This cannot be the same degree by which you met Gifted Education Core endorsement requirements.

• Added endorsement only; must hold a valid Colorado professional (7-year) teacher license
• Completion of a CDE-approved mentor teacher training program, including a minimum of one full school year of successful service as a mentor teacher for a teacher candidate participating in clinical practice

Reading Specialist (K-12) - 6.04 (PDF)

• Added endorsement only; must hold a valid Colorado teacher license and have three or more years of licensed teaching experience.
• Completion of a master's degree in reading and an approved graduate program from a regionally accredited institution for reading specialists which includes a supervised practicum or internship as a reading specialist.
• Must be knowledgeable about research-based literacy instruction as outlined in rule 4.02(5)-4.02(13) and the Colorado Academic Standards in reading, writing and communicating.
• Programs completed outside Colorado will be evaluated against Colorado standards; the PRAXIS 5302 may be required to demonstrate content knowledge and competency.

Teacher Librarian (K-12) - 6.02 (PDF)

• Added endorsement only; must hold a valid Colorado teacher license.
• Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution in library science, media science or similar area, including a supervised practicum or internship which includes both elementary and secondary school library experience.

Early Childhood Special Education (ages 0-8) - 5.09 (PDF)

• Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution in early childhood special education that includes student teaching and practicum.
• Passing scores on the following test combination (an exam may be waived based on ECE endorsement already held):
  • PRAXIS 5024 (160), PRAXIS 5691 (159) AND PRAXIS 5205 (159)

Early Childhood Special Education Specialist (ages 0-8) - 5.05 (PDF)

• Completion of an approved graduate-level degree or non-degree early childhood special education specialist program at a Colorado college or university, that includes field-based experience/practicum
• Passing scores on the following exams (an exam may be waived based on ECE endorsements already held):
  • PRAXIS 5024 (160); PRAXIS 5691 (159); AND PRAXIS 5205 (159)

Special Education Generalist (ages 5-21) (PDF) - 5.08 (PDF)

• Completion of an approved program for the preparation of special education generalists from a regionally accredited college or university or 24 semester hours as determined by CDE via a transcript review (worksheet available at left).
• Passing score on three content exams -- Elementary Education, Special Education Generalist and Teaching Reading -- as specified below:
  • Special Education Generalist
    • PRAXIS 5354 (151)
  •  Elementary Education
    • PRAXIS 5901 series (as outlined below) 
      • Mathematics 5903 (157) - 5003 also accepted (same exam, different number)
      • Social Studies 5904 (155) - 5004 also accepted (same exam, different number)
      • Science 5905 (159) - 5005 also accepted (same exam, different number)
  • Teaching Reading
    • PRAXIS 5205 (159)

Special Education Specialist (ages 5-21) - 5.02 (PDF)

• Must hold a Colorado license with a Special Education Generalist endorsement.
• An earned master’s or higher degree in special education from a regionally accredited institution.
  • This cannot be the same degree by which you met Special Education Generalist endorsement requirements.
• Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for the preparation of special education specialists.

Special Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ages 0-21) - 5.04 (PDF)

• A master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution in special education deaf/hard of hearing or its equivalent, as determined by the department.
• Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for special education specialists: deaf/hard of hearing that includes prescribed field experience requirements.

Special Education Specialist: Visually Impaired Ages (ages 0-21) - 5.03 (PDF)

• A master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution in special education visual impairment or its equivalent, as determined by the department.
• Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for special education specialists: visually impaired that includes prescribed field experience requirements.

School Audiologist (ages 0-21) - 7.01 (PDF)

• AuD or PhD in audiology
• Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution in 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 Colorado State Board of Education-approved audiology exam (at right)

PRAXIS 5343 (162)

or

PRAXIS 5342 (170) accepted thru Aug. 31, 2026

School Counselor (PreK-12) - 7.09 (PDF)

• Master's or higher degree in School Counseling as defined by accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling for Related Educational Programs (view information about CACREP Accreditation)
• 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
• Passage of the Colorado State Board of Education-approved content exam

 Information for options for individuals who hold a master's degree in a clinical counseling domain coming soon!

PRAXIS 5421 (156)

School Nurse (ages 0-21) - 7.05 (PDF)

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution* OR three (3) or more years of licensed, practical experience as an RN with school-aged children
• A valid license to practice in Colorado pursuant to the Nurse Practice Act (12-38-101, et. seq., C.R.S.) or a valid mulit-state license and able to practice in Colorado pursuant to the nurse licensure compact (24-60-3802, C.R.S.)
• 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

*CCNE- and ACEN-accredited programs also accepted.

N/A

School Occupational Therapist (ages 0-21) - 7.02 (PDF)

• Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Completion of an American Occupational Therapy Association-accredited college or university program in occupational therapy
• Completion of a practicum or internship as required by the school of occupational therapy attended, which may be held in a variety of settings
• A valid license to practice in Colorado pursuant to the Occupational Therapy Practice Act (12-270-107, C.R.S.) or a valid license issued by another state and able to practice in Colorado pursuant to the occupational therapy compact (24-60-4101, C.R.S.)
• Passage of the occupational therapy national registration examination administered by the national board for certification in occupational therapy

NBCOT

School Orientation and Mobility Specialist (ages 0-21) - 7.03 (PDF)

• Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Completion of an approved preparation program from a regionally accredited institution 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.
• Passage of the ACVREP exam
• A valid ACVREP Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate

ACVREP

School Physical Therapist (ages 0-21) - 7.04 (PDF)

• Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Completion of American Physical Therapy Association’s Commission on the Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapy program
• Completion of practicum or internship, as required by the physical therapy program attended
• A valid license to practice in Colorado pursuant to the Physical Therapy Practice Act (12-285-101, et.seq., C.R.S.) or a valid license issued by another state and able to practice in Colorado pursuant to the physical therapy compact (24-60-3702, C.R.S.)

School Psychologist (ages 0-21) - 7.06 (PDF)

• Successful completion of an approved specialist-level program from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of 60 graduate-level semester hours or an approved doctoral program for the preparation of school psychologists, serving children/students ages birth-21, at an accepted institution of higher education
• 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 1,200 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 or state-approved educational programs or in other appropriate mental health or education-related programs.
• Passage of the national school psychology exam (at right) OR valid NCSP certification

PRAXIS 5402 (147)

OR

National Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) certification

School Social Worker (ages 0-21) - 7.07 (PDF)

• Master’s or higher degree in social work from a regionally accredited institution
• Documented evidence of completion of coursework in the areas of school and special education law, including content covering functional behavior assessment and the development of behavior intervention plans.
  • Out-of-state applicants: Please review this addendum to find out how you complete this coursework if you haven't already done so.
• 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
• Completion of at least one field experience with school age children/students
• Passage of the Colorado-approved content exam (at right); a valid Colorado DORA-issued LSW or LCSW license, or valid Certified National School Social Worker certification.

ASWB

Master's/Clinical/Advanced Generalist only

School Speech-Language Pathologist (ages 0-21) - 7.08 (PDF)

• Master’s or higher degree in communication disorders or speech-language pathology from a regionally accredited institution
• Completion of an approved 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
• Passage of the Colorado-approved content exam (at right) or valid ASHA certification

PRAXIS 5331 (162)

OR

ASHA certification

Principal (K-12) - 3.03 (PDF) a building-level leadership endorsement

• Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Three years of licensed experience in a public elementary or secondary school or three years' experience in a nonpublic elementary or secondary school
• Completion of an approved program at a regionally accredited institution for the preparation of principals, or completion of a Colorado alternative principal preparation program
• Passage of the Colorado-approved content exam for building-level leaders

PRAXIS 5412 (146)

OR

PRAXIS 5411 (145)

if taken before Aug. 31, 2019; accepted thru Aug. 31, 2024

Administrator (K-12) - 3.04 (PDF) a district-level leadership endorsement

• Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Completion of an approved graduate program at a regionally accredited institution for the preparation of district-level administrators
• Passage of the Colorado-approved content exam for district-level leaders

PRAXIS 6991 (162)

Special Education Director (K-12) - 6.05 (PDF) a district-level leadership endorsement

• Master’s or higher degree in special education or school psychology from a regionally accredited institution
• Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for the preparation of special education directors that includes a supervised field-based experience
• Two or more years' full-time experience working with students with disabilities.
• Passage of the Colorado-approved content exam for district-level leaders

PRAXIS 6991 (162)

Gifted Education Director (K-12) - 6.06 (PDF) a district-level leadership endorsement

• Master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution in gifted education
• Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for preparation of gifted education directors that includes a supervised field-based experience
• Two or more years' full-time experience working with gifted students
• Passage of the Colorado-approved content exam for district-level leaders

PRAXIS 6991 (162)

• Discontinued May 30, 2019
• Qualifying first-time candidates and renewing license-holders will receive the business/marketing combined endorsement.

• Discontinued March 30, 2016
• Issued only upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license.
• Please see the gifted education core / gifted education specialist endorsements above for current gifted education endorsement requirements.

• Discontinued Nov. 30, 2022
• Issued only upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license.

Linguistically Diverse Education (K-12) / Linguistically Diverse Bilingual Education (K-12)

• Discontinued Dec. 31, 2012
• Issued only upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license.
• Please see the culturally and linguistically diverse / culturally and linguistically diverse bilingual endorsements above for current endorsement requirements.

• Discontinued May 30, 2019
• Qualifying first-time candidates and renewing license-holders will receive the business/marketing combined endorsement.

• Discontinued Nov. 30, 2022
• Issued only upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license.

School Librarian (K-12)

• Discontinued March 30, 2016
• Issued upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license or if earned by completing a Colorado-approved program that was initiated in fall 2016.
• Please see the teacher librarian endorsement above.

• Discontinued Nov. 30, 2022
• Issued only upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license.

Trade and Industry (7-12)

• Discontinued Nov. 13, 2019
• Issued only upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license.