Endorsement Requirements

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

40

5701 / Passing Score: 147

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

34 or 35

5101 / Passing Score: 154  or  5561 / Passing Score: 157

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

30

5641 / Passing Score: 153

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

02

5024 / Passing Score: 160

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

07

5038 / Passing Score: 167

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

36

5122 / Passing Score: 153

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

31

5551 / Passing Score: 155

Instructional Technology (K-12) (PDF) - 4.08 (PDF)

51

5652 / Passing Score: 149
or  5651 / Passing Score: 166 (if taken prior to Aug. 31, 2018)

Mathematics

     Middle School (6-8) (PDF) - 4.24 (PDF)

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

n/a

04

5169 / Passing Score: 165

5161 / Passing Score: 152

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

29

5113 / Passing Score: 161

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

32

5091 / Passing Score: 148

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

05

5435 / Passing Score: 152

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

06

5081 / Passing Score:150

Speech (7-12) (PDF) - 4.19 (PDF)

19

5221 / Passing Score: 146

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

37

5051 / Passing Score: 159

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

28

5135 / Passing Score: 158

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

• French 08
• German 10
• Italian 11
• Japanese 15
• Latin 12
• Mandarin Chinese: NES
• Russian 14
• Spanish 09

**There is no PLACE exam for American Sign Language.**

• French 5174  / Passing Score:162
• German 5183  / Passing Score: 163
• Latin 5601 / Passing Score: 152
• Mandarin Chinese 5665 / Passing Score: 164
• Spanish 5195 / Passing Score: 163

**Praxis exams presently are not available for ASL, Japanese, Italian or Russian. These endorsements may be added to an valid Colorado license via approved program or 24 semester hours of specific coursework as outlined in the worksheet to the left.**

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

• Colorado-approved content exam always required.
  • PLACE 01 / Passing Score: 220 OR
  • Praxis 5018 / Passing Score: 163 (if taken between Sept. 1, 2014 and Aug. 31, 2016) OR
  • Praxis 5001 / Passing Scores for each sub-test:
    • Reading (5002) 157
    • Math (5003) 157
    • Social Studies (5004) 155
    • Science (5005) 159
• Initial license requires an earned bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college/university, approved preparation program and exam.
• May be added to an existing Colorado teacher license via content exam only.

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

• No content exam available; added endorsement only.
• Applicant must hold or be eligible to hold a Colorado teacher license in another endorsement area.
• May be earned through completion of a Colorado-approved program or via  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) - 4.23 (PDF)

• No content exam available; added endorsement only.
• Applicant must hold or be eligible to hold a Colorado teacher license in another endorsement area.
• May be earned through completion of Colorado-approved program OR by meeting the coursework requirements for a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse endorsement (see worksheet in previous section, above) AND by meeting the competency requirements as outlined on the CLD Bilingual worksheet (at left).

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

• No content exam available.
• May be added through 24 semester hours, bachelor's or higher degree or an approved program from a regionally accredited institution only.

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

• Added endorsement only; must hold a valid Colorado teacher license.
• May be earned through the 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 by meeting the 24 credit hours of specific coursework requirements outlined in the Gifted Education worksheet at left.
• Passing score of 157 or higher on the Praxis Gifted Education 5358 exam also required.

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.
• Applicant must also hold a 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 already have three or more years of licensed teaching experience.
• May be earned through 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.

Reading Teacher (K-12) - 6.03 (PDF)

• Added endorsement only; must hold a valid Colorado teacher license and have two or more years of licensed teaching experience.
• May be earned through completion of an approved graduate program from a regionally accredited institution that shall include 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.
• May be earned through completion of an approved graduate program from a regionally accredited institution for reading specialists that shall include 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.
• May be earned through completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution in library science, media science or similar area, that shall include a supervised practicum or internship which includes both elementary and secondary school library experience.

Trade and Industry (7-12) (PDF) - 4.21 (PDF)

• No content exam available.
• May be added through 24 semester hours or an approved program from a regionally accredited institution only.

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

• Must have completed an approved program from a regionally accredited institution in early childhood special education that includes student teaching and practicum.

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

• Must have completed an approved graduate-level degree or non-degree program from a regionally accredited institution in early childhood special education that includes field-based experience or practicum.

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

• Requires both Elementary Education and Special Education Generalist content exams.
  • Special Education Generalist PLACE 20 (taken after Sept. 1, 2008) / Passing Score: 220 OR
    Praxis #5354 / Passing Score: 151.
  •  Elementary Education PLACE 01  / Passing Score: 220 OR Praxis 5018 / Passing Score: 163 (if taken between Sept. 1, 2014 and Aug, 31, 2016 ) OR Praxis 5001 / Passing Score for each sub-test:
    • Reading (5002) 157
    • Math (5003) 157
    • Social Studies (5004) 155
    • Science (5005) 159
• Also requires 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 the CDE (worksheet available at left).

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

• Must already hold a Colorado license with a Special Education Generalist endorsement.
• Must also hold an earned master’s or higher degree in special education from a regionally accredited institution.
• Must have completed 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)

• Must hold 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.
• Must have completed 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)

• Must hold a master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution in special education visual impairment or its equivalent, as determined by the department.
• Must have completed 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 PRAXIS 5342 audiology exam

Praxis 5342 / Passing Score: 170

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 approved content exam

effective Sept. 1, 2018: Pathway 2 (interim authorization/school counselor) :

• Master's or higher degree in a clinical counseling domain (e.g., mental health, etc.) or social work
• Must hold a valid counseling (LPC) or social work  (LSW, LCSW) license issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
• Must have three or more years' experience as a licensed clinical counselor or licensed social worker

When issued, this interim authorization will be valid for one calendar year and may not be renewed. During that time, the authorized school counselor must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an approved induction program for SSPs/school counselors
• Pass the PRAXIS 5421 exam

Upon expiration of the interim license and fulfillment of the exam and induction requirements, the authorization-holder may apply for a professional SSP license with a school counselor endorsement.

PLACE 41 / Passing Score: 220

OR

Praxis 5421 / Passing Score: 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
• Must hold a valid RN issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies or an RN in another 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.

None

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

• Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
• 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
• 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
• Hold a current and 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
• 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 physical therapy license issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies

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 OR hold a valid NCSP credential, issued by the national school psychology certification board

Praxis 5402 / Passing Score: 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.
• 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
• Passage of a Colorado-approved content exam

PLACE 47 / Passing Score: 220

OR

ASWB

(Clinical only; Adv. Generalist only if taken prior to Nov. 1, 2017)

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
• Successful 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 a state-approved exam

ASHA certification

OR

Praxis 5331 /  Passing Score: 162

Principal (This is a building-level leadership endorsement) - 3.03 (PDF)

• Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Three years of licensed experience in a public or 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

PLACE 80 / Passing Score: 220

OR

Praxis 5411/ Passing Score:145

if taken before Aug. 31, 2019

OR

PRAXIS 5412 / Passing Score: 146

effective Sept. 1, 2019

Administrator (This is a district-level leadership endorsement) - 6.08 (PDF)

• 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

PLACE 81 / Passing Score: 220

OR

PRAXIS 5411 / Passing Score: 145

through Aug. 31, 2019 only

OR

PRAXIS 6991 / Passing Score: 162

effective  Sept. 1, 2019

Special Education Director - 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
• Minimum of two years of experience working with students with disabilities.
• Passage of the Colorado-approved content exam for district-level leaders

PRAXIS 6991 / Passing Score: 162

effective Sept. 1, 2019

Gifted Education Director - 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
• Passage of the Colorado-approved content exam for district-level leaders

PRAXIS 6991 / Passing Score: 162

effective Sept. 1, 2019

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

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

• These endorsements were discontinued on Dec. 31, 2012, and will only be issued upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license.

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

School Librarian (K-12)

• This endorsement was discontinued on March 30, 2016, and only will be 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.

Gifted & Talented Specialist (P-12)

• This endorsement was discontinued on March 30, 2016, and was available for educators to add to an existing, valid license through March 30, 2017 only. It only will be issued upon renewal of an existing, valid Colorado teacher license. Please see the "gifted education core" and "gifted education specialist" endorsements above for current requirements for gifted education endorsements.