Endorsement Requirements

Colorado Endorsements

Please note: The information on this page pertains to endorsement requirements for candidates only. Applicants also must meet all other requirements for the license sought.

Worksheets provide general guidelines for coursework requirements for adding endorsements to valid Colorado teacher licenses
Worksheets are not for use for program development
Please refer to general licensure requirements for more details about what is needed for a Colorado educator license.

Colorado endorsements are issued based on the competency requirements set forth by the Colorado Educator Licensing Act of 1991 and the Rules and Regulations associated with those statutes.

For Grades 7-12 and Some K-12 Endorsements:

You may meet competency requirements by:

completing an approved program at a regionally accredited institution of higher education (and being eligible to hold a license or endorsement in the state in which the program is approved) OR
completing at least 24 semester hours of specific coursework from a regionally accredited college/university (as determined by transcript review via the worksheets hyperlinked below) OR
passing the appropriate Colorado State Board of Education-approved content exam(s).
- Rule 3.03(4) of 1 CCR 301-101 states that applicants have a maximum of five years from the discontinuation date of a content assessment - if taken during the time the exam was approved - to use the successful assessment score to fulfill endorsement criteria (discontinued endorsements excepted). A chart of all previous content exams is listed at the link above.

For All Other Endorsements:

Please refer to the charts below for specific requirements.
If you do not see the endorsement(s) on your out-of-state license listed below, visit our Out-of-State Endorsement FAQ page.
To view a searchable database of programs by endorsement area, region served, grade level or program type, visit the Educator Preparation Searchable Database
If you are seeking a Career and Technical Education Authorization endorsement, visit our CTE page.
If you are seeking an alternative teacher license, refer to the available endorsement areas on our Alternative Licensing page.

To apply, click the button at the bottom of the page.

Jump to a Section

Endorsements Earned Through Degree
Endorsements With Additional Requirements

Special Education Teacher Endorsements
Special Service Provider Endorsements

Leadership Licenses
Discontinued Endorsements

Endorsements Earned Via Degree, Approved Program, Specific Coursework or Content Exam

The following endorsements may be earned in one of four ways:

1. an earned bachelor's or higher degree in the content area from a regionally accredited college/university (or the equivalent as determined by a NACES member organization)

2. completion of an approved preparation program in the content area (and eligibility for licensure or endorsement in the state in which the program is approved)

3. 24 semester hours of specific coursework as outlined on the worksheet provided

4. a passing score on a Colorado-approved content exam.

Effective June 9, 2016, the Colorado State Board of Education approved the adoption of PRAXIS exams for most Colorado endorsement areas.
View the list of all previous versions of Colorado approved content assessments and discontinuance dates.

Please note*: The worksheets linked below are for use by candidates seeking to add an endorsement to an existing Colorado teaching license and who HAVE NOT completed an approved program in the endorsement area sought. The corresponding rule for each endorsement is listed and linked next to each endorsement name.

Endorsement Worksheet - Rules for endorsement		Accepted PRAXIS Exam (Required Minimum Score)
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)
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)
Instructional Technology (K-12) (PDF) - 4.08 (PDF)		5652 (149) or 5651 (166) if taken prior to Aug. 31, 2018; accepted thru Aug. 31, 2023 only
Mathematics Middle School (6-8) (PDF) - 4.23 (PDF) Secondary (7-12) (PDF) - 4.14 (PDF)		5169 (165) or 5164 (157) available Sept. 1, 2022 5161 (152) or 5165 (159) available Sept. 1, 2022
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)
Speech (7-12) (PDF) - 4.19 (PDF )		5221 (146)
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) available Sept. 1, 2022 Spanish 5195 (163) PRAXIS exams presently are not available for ASL or Italian. These endorsements may be obtained via a bachelor's or higher degree in the content area, completion of an approved program in the content area or 24 semester hours of specific coursework as outlined on the worksheet (at left).

Endorsements with Additional Requirements

Endorsement	Requirements
Early Childhood Education (ages 0-8) (PDF) - 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 Passing scores on the following test combination: 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 test combination: PRAXIS 5901 series (as outlined below) AND PRAXIS 5205 (159) Mathematics 5903 (157) - 5003 also accepted Social Studies 5904 (155) - 5004 also accepted Science 5905 (159) - 5005 also accepted 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 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) (PDF) - 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.
Instructional Technology Specialist (K-12) - 6.07 (PDF)	Added endorsement only; must hold a valid Colorado teacher license and have three or more years of full-time, fully licensed teaching experience. Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for instructional technology specialists that shall include a supervised practicum or internship as an instructional technology specialist.
Mentor Teacher (K-12) - 4.24 (PDF)	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 Teacher (K-12) - 6.03 (PDF)	Added endorsement only; must hold a valid Colorado teacher license and have two or more years of full-time, fully licensed teaching experience. Completion of an approved graduate program from a regionally accredited institution including a supervised practicum or internship as a reading teacher. Please note: Most out-of-state reading specialist programs fulfill the requirements for this endorsement. Determination of qualification for either the "reading teacher" or "reading specialist" endorsement will by made upon evaluation of application.
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 an approved graduate program from a regionally accredited institution for reading specialists including a supervised practicum or internship as a reading specialist. Please note: Most out-of-state reading specialist programs do not fulfill the requirements for this endorsement. Determination of qualification for either the "reading teacher" or "reading specialist" endorsement will by made upon evaluation of application.
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.

Special Education Teacher Endorsements

Endorsement	Requirements
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 endorsements 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 test combination (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 Social Studies 5904 (155) - 5004 also accepted Science 5905 (159) - 5005 also accepted 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. 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.

Special Service Provider Endorsements

Endorsement	Requirements	Content Exam (Min. Score)
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 Educcation-approved audiology exam (at right)	PRAXIS 5343 (162) PRAXIS 5342 (170) thru Aug. 31, 2026 only
School Counselor (ages 0-21) - 7.09 (PDF)	Pathway 1 (initial or professional SSP license/school counselor): 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 Pathway 2 (Temporary Educator Eligibility authorization/school counselor) : Master's or higher degree in a clinical counseling domain (e.g., mental health, etc.) or social work A valid counseling (LPC) or social work (LSW, LCSW) license issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Three or more years' full-time, fully licensed experience as a LPC-, LSW- or LCSW-licensed clinical counselor or social worker Enrollment in a school counselor program or coursework (you will need your district's approval for this authorization; together you can work with CDE to determine what coursework will be needed)	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 RN issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies or an RN in a state that is participating in the nurse licensing compact agreement 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 occupational therapy license issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies 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 orientation and mobility 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 physical therapy license issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies	N/A
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) or a valid Colorado DORA-issued LSW or LCSW license.	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

Leadership Licenses

License	Requirements	Content Exam (Min. Score)
Principal (This is a building-level leadership endorsement) - 3.03 (PDF)	Principal 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 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 only
Administrator (This is a district-level leadership endorsement) - 3.04 (PDF)	School Administrator ("superintendent") 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 NOTE: The PLACE 81 and the PRAXIS 5411 may not serve in lieu of the PRAXIS 6991, as the quality standards have been revised and the prior tests do not align to the updated standards.	PRAXIS 6991 (162)
	Special Education Director endorsement 6.05 (PDF) Master’s or higher degree in special education from a regionally accredited institution or demonstrate knowledge and application of standards for the specialist (as determined by the department) Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for the preparation of special education directors that includes a supervised field-based experience OR an approved program for district-level administrators and an approved master’s degree in special education 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 endorsement 6.06 (PDF) Master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution in gifted education or demonstrate knowledge and application of standards for the specialist (as determined by the department) Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for preparation of gifted education directors that includes a supervised field-based experience OR an approved program for district-level administrators and an approved master’s degree in gifted education 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 Endorsements

Endorsement	Additional Information
Business (7-12)	Discontinued May 30, 2019. Qualifying first-time candidates and renewing license-holders will receive the business/marketing combined endorsement.
Gifted & Talented Specialist (P-12)	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.
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.
Marketing (7-12)	Discontinued May 30, 2019. Qualifying first-time candidates and renewing license-holders will receive the business/marketing combined endorsement.
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.
Trade and Industry (7-12)	Discontinued Nov. 13, 2019. Issued only upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license. Please see the business/marketing endorsement above or our CTE credential page.