School Nursing and Health - School Nurse Basics

School Nurse Licensure

Initial Special Service Provider (SSP) License

New school nurses must apply with the Colorado Department of Education for an Initial Special Service Provider License.  Registered Nurses with an active RN license may apply.

• Requirements for Special Service Provider Endorsement as a School Nurse
  • Associate's or higher degree in nursing
  • A valid RN license to practice in Colorado pursuant to the Nurse Practice Act (12-255-101, 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.)
    • Important Note: Registered nurses must maintain an active DORA license to practice nursing in Colorado in addition to the CDE-issued special services license/school nurse. Those holding multi-state licenses issued by another state must apply for a Colorado DORA-issued RN license within 60 days, as per the Nurse License Compact.

Why do I need a Special Service Provider License from CDE if I already hold a Registered Nurse License through DORA?

School nurse services are services provided by a qualified school nurse. Per the Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA) Rules March 2016, 1 CCR 301-8, 2.37(3)(m), all related services personnel providing services to children with disabilities shall hold Colorado special services licenses or certificates with appropriate endorsements.

How do I apply for a Special Service Provider License?

• Application Process for Special Service Provider License
• CDE Licensing Office home page
• For questions about licensure requirements or the application:
  • Submit Licensing Support Requests Form
  • Call 720-739-3304
    Phone hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Advancing from Initial SSP license to Professional SSP license

The Initial SSP license expires in 3 years. Prior to expiration, the school nurse will need to apply for a Professional SSP license. 

• The initially licensed school nurse must participate in an approved induction program.
• To advance from an Initial SSP license to a Professional SSP license, you will need a certificate verifying completion of an induction program specific to the license you wish to advance (ie, Special Service Provider with School Nurse endorsement).  
• Induction programs are provided by your school (public, private or charter), Charter School Institute, or BOCES.  
• Per 1 CCR 301-37 8.2, the induction program must include a process for the selection and training of mentors and for the matching of mentors with inductees, so contact your induction coordinator to be assigned a mentor.  

Resources for Induction Coordinators and Mentors

• SSP Quality Standards Rubrics - including school nurse rubric
• CDE Induction Programs
• SSP Induction Program Rubric (PDF)
• CDE School Nurse Mentor Program Sample Documents - These forms are provided as samples and are not required to be used in a mentor program.​
  • Mentor Program Contact Log (2022 DOC)
  • Mentor Program Goals (2021 DOC)
• Optional Mentor Training Series​