Colorado Teaching Certification
Colorado teacher certification typically requires a bachelor’s degree and an approved educator preparation program, though alternative, interim authorization, apprenticeship, out-of-state, substitute, CTE, and emergency pathways each follow route-specific rules. Candidates demonstrate content competency for each endorsement through an approved exam, coursework route, or CDE-approved Multiple Measures submission, then complete Colorado’s fingerprint-based background check before applying.
Sponsored School(s)
Most Colorado teacher licensure pathways require a bachelor’s degree and approved educator preparation, but the specifics depend on your situation. Alternative teacher, interim authorization, teacher apprenticeship, out-of-state, substitute, career and technical education, and emergency pathways each carry their own rules. This guide covers Colorado’s initial certification requirements in detail, then points you to the specific path that matches where you’re starting.
Choose the description of certification you are most interested in or the situation that best describes you:
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
Colorado’s Education Funding Landscape
Teacher pay and school funding in Colorado are affected by state funding formulas, district budgets, local bargaining agreements, enrollment, property tax revenue, and state appropriations. For a broader look at how Colorado’s education spending compares to other states, see State Education Spending vs. Overall State Revenue.
Initial Colorado Teaching Certification
Find schools offering teacher certification programs in Colorado.
Education Requirements
The Colorado Department of Education generally requires teacher license applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education and to meet preparation, endorsement, and content-competency requirements for the requested license. Colorado offers multiple teacher endorsements, including:
- Elementary
- Early Childhood Education
- Secondary (in special content areas)
- K-12 (special content areas)
- Varying levels of Special Education
Endorsement titles and grade ranges change over time. Check CDE’s current endorsement list before choosing a preparation program area.
Some endorsements, including Early Childhood Education, Secondary, K-12, and Special Education Generalist, allow you to demonstrate content competency through an approved exam, degree, coursework, endorsement worksheet, or Multiple Measures submission rather than a single fixed credit-hour rule. See the examination section below, and confirm current requirements for your specific endorsement with CDE.
Colorado has identified teacher shortage areas in recent reports, often including fields such as early childhood education, special education, world languages, and STEM subjects, though shortage fields shift by year and district. Candidates in shortage areas may see stronger demand in some districts, but openings and any hiring incentives vary by year, funding, and local need. Check CDE’s current shortage-area report for the latest list.
Approved Colorado educator preparation programs offer different degrees based on the college or university’s requirements and policies. Some may offer bachelor’s degrees upon completion of the program, while others confer graduate degrees. A listing of schools, the degrees they offer, and the levels of Colorado teacher licensure to which each degree corresponds may be found here under “Helpful Resources”.
If you graduated from, or are currently enrolled in, a university or college in a state other than Colorado, you may still be eligible for a teacher’s license in Colorado. Make sure your degree and coursework come from an institution CDE recognizes as an “accepted institution of higher education” for licensure purposes. Under current Colorado Department of Education licensing rules, this generally means the school offers at least a bachelor’s degree and is recognized by a regional accreditation association such as the Northwest Accreditation Commission, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditor names and coverage can change, so confirm your school’s current status against CDE’s accepted-accreditation-organization list.
CDE reviews out-of-state preparation programs under Colorado’s licensing rules. In general, applicants who complete a program outside Colorado need to hold or qualify to hold the associated teaching license in the state where they trained for Colorado to recognize that program.
If you attended school outside the United States, you’ll need an English course-by-course equivalency report from a NACES member organization, following CDE’s current transcript rules. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) lists its current member agencies.
Examinations
An overview of Colorado’s teacher licensing examination requirements may be found here.
Basic skills testing: Colorado doesn’t generally require a basic skills test for teacher licensure. You’ll still need to demonstrate content competency for each endorsement and meet any route-specific requirements.
Content-area assessment testing: Colorado directs applicants toward State Board-approved Praxis assessments, in some cases other approved exams, or an approved Multiple Measures of Content Competency submission, depending on the endorsement. Some older resources also reference the PLACE (Program for Licensing Assessments for Colorado Educators) exam. We couldn’t confirm that PLACE is still accepted for every endorsement, so check CDE’s current content-exam page before registering for a test.
Praxis Subject Assessments: Test names, codes, and passing scores change over time. Use CDE’s current content-exam page and the ETS Praxis Colorado requirements page to confirm the exact assessment and score you need for your endorsement.
Exemptions: Some out-of-state license holders with qualifying full-time teaching experience may be exempt from Colorado’s content exams, but the exact experience period, consecutive-year requirement, and endorsement alignment depend on current CDE rules and recent legislative changes. Confirm your eligibility directly with CDE before assuming an exemption applies.
Additional information: Endorsement-specific rules vary. For most endorsements, CDE allows one or more routes, including an approved exam, degree, coursework, endorsement worksheet, or Multiple Measures submission. Check CDE’s current endorsement and Multiple Measures pages for the route that applies to you.
Experience
Approved Colorado educator preparation programs include supervised student teaching or clinical practice. Length, placement model, and specific responsibilities vary by program and endorsement. Still, you can generally expect a structured experience with a mentor teacher guiding you through lesson planning, classroom instruction, and observation, with your responsibilities increasing over time. Your preparation program documents your progress throughout the experience.
Document and Application Requirements
Once you’ve completed your educational, examination, and student teaching requirements, you may apply for initial teacher licensure in Colorado. This is done online through the Colorado Department of Education eLicense Program. Upload legible electronic copies of the required documents, including your full name and date of birth, on any letters or emails you send. This includes:
- Official transcript(s) for every college or university you attended
- An institutional recommendation signed by the university or college’s certification officer or dean of education
CDE says unofficial transcripts aren’t accepted, and documents generally shouldn’t be mailed unless CDE specifically requests another submission method.
Verify that CDE receives any required score reports, and keep copies of your official test results. If you’re using a non-exam route, you may need an endorsement worksheet or a CDE Multiple Measures approval notice instead. Application fees are paid online at the time of your application.
Criminal History Background Check
Colorado requires a fingerprint-based background check through CDE before licensure. CDE says applicants may apply after scheduling their fingerprinting appointment, but must meet CDE’s current timing and submission rules, generally within 30 days of CDE receiving their fingerprint results, or a new set of fingerprints is required. Follow CDE’s current fingerprint instructions and use an approved vendor or card-conversion option. Don’t mail fingerprint cards directly to CDE or the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), since CDE says cards sent to them will be destroyed. Fingerprinting fees vary by vendor, so confirm the current fee before you begin. If you have questions, contact the CBI or visit their website.
Contact Information
For more on Colorado teacher preparation programs, contact the colleges and universities that offer them.
For current information on Colorado teacher licensure, contact the Colorado Department of Education Educator Licensing division directly, since licensing support contact details can change.
Colorado Teacher Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Colorado elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $63,410 (SOC 25-2021) as of May 2025, while high school teachers earned $72,900 (SOC 25-2031) and middle school teachers earned $63,760 (SOC 25-2022).
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $62,870 | 12.8% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $63,410 | 12.8% |
| Middle School Teachers | $63,760 | 12.8% |
| High School Teachers | $72,900 | 12.9% |
Colorado’s teacher job growth is projected at roughly 12.8% to 12.9% between 2024 and 2034, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s labor market projections, a stronger outlook than the national trend the BLS projects for these occupations over the same period. The state’s average annual openings figures, about 2,080 for elementary teachers, 1,140 for middle school teachers, and 1,440 for high school teachers, include openings from growth, retirements, and other labor-force exits and transfers. For a closer look at pay ranges and lifestyle factors, see Colorado Teaching Salaries and Benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a certified teacher in Colorado?
Most pathways require at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, along with completion of an approved teacher preparation program that includes supervised student teaching or clinical practice. Alternatively, out-of-state and other non-traditional pathways follow their own route-specific rules.
Does Colorado require a basic skills test for teacher licensure?
No, Colorado doesn’t generally require a basic skills test. You’ll still demonstrate content competency for each endorsement, whether through an approved exam like Praxis, a coursework route, an endorsement worksheet, or a Multiple Measures submission.
Can I transfer my out-of-state teaching license to Colorado?
Colorado has pathways for teachers licensed in other states, but licensure isn’t automatic. CDE reviews your out-of-state license, preparation program, teaching experience, endorsements, content competency, and background check before approving a Colorado license.
How long does Colorado teacher certification take?
Timing depends on your path, including program length, document processing, and background check timing. Out-of-state applicants with a valid comparable license and qualifying experience may have a more direct path, but final timing depends on CDE’s review.
What’s the difference between an Initial and Professional teaching license in Colorado?
A Colorado Initial Teacher License is a three-year license commonly issued to eligible new teachers and some out-of-state applicants. Moving to a Professional License generally requires completing a CDE-approved induction program and submitting the required documentation, though specifics vary by district, BOCES, charter school, or approved provider.
- Most pathways require a bachelor’s degree and an approved prep program. Most Colorado teacher licensure pathways require a bachelor’s degree and approved educator preparation, though alternative, interim, and out-of-state routes follow different rules.
- Content competency requirements are route-specific. Depending on your endorsement, you may demonstrate competency through an approved exam, coursework, or a CDE Multiple Measures submission.
- A fingerprint-based background check is required. Plan and follow CDE’s current fingerprint process, since vendor fees and timing can change.
- Out-of-state experience may reduce exam requirements. Qualifying experience can affect content-competency rules, but confirm current CDE requirements for your license type.
- Colorado’s teacher job market outpaces the national trend. State projections show stronger growth than national projections for these occupations, though demand varies by district and endorsement.
Find accredited teacher certification programs, application requirements, and licensing timelines for your jurisdiction.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district—data accessed July 2026.
