Alternative Teaching Certification in Colorado
Alternative teaching certification in Colorado lets candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree start teaching full-time while finishing the coursework and testing their license requires. Candidates apply for a Statement of Eligibility, demonstrate content knowledge in their endorsement area, and complete an approved preparation program alongside a background check. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) oversees the entire alternative licensure process.
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If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, Colorado’s alternative licensure pathway lets you start working as a teacher of record while you complete the requirements for a full license. Alternative candidates work full-time in an approved school while finishing coursework and testing through a CDE-approved preparation program, and some programs lead to a master’s degree along the way. You can review the endorsement areas open to alternative candidates and search CDE-approved alternative preparation programs before you apply. If a traditional, campus-based route fits your situation better, Colorado’s standard teacher certification programs are also worth comparing before you commit to the alternative path.
Use the links below to jump to Colorado’s alternative certification requirements, application steps, and background check process.
- Alternative certification requirements
- Application and experience requirements
- Background check and fingerprinting
Alternative Certification Requirements
Education Requirements
To enter a Colorado alternative teacher licensure program, you must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Beyond that baseline, you’ll need to demonstrate content competency in your chosen endorsement area, either through coursework or testing depending on the endorsement area, before CDE will approve your application.
Content Competency: Exams and Coursework
You can meet the content competency requirement by completing at least 24 credit hours in your endorsement subject with a minimum 2.6 GPA, or by passing a state-approved content exam. Requirements vary by endorsement area: some subjects still use Praxis Subject Assessments, while CDE has moved several elementary and special education pathways to its own CDE-approved content exams. Confirm which exam applies to your specific endorsement directly with CDE before you register for a test. CDE also accepts CLEP and DSST testing toward some coursework requirements, and evaluation worksheets are available to check your existing credits against a specific program’s requirements.
| Option | What It Involves |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 24 credit hours in your endorsement subject with a minimum 2.6 GPA |
| Content exam | A passing score on the state-approved exam for your endorsement area (Praxis Subject Assessments or a CDE-approved exam, depending on subject) |
| Credit-by-exam | CLEP or DSST testing applied toward eligible coursework requirements |
Statement of Eligibility
If you haven’t yet secured a teaching job or enrolled in an alternative program, you can apply to CDE for a Statement of Eligibility, which confirms whether you meet the base requirements before you start your job search. Once you’re hired and enrolled in a CDE-approved alternative program, you move on to the full alternative teacher license application. If you’re hired before fully meeting the content competency requirement, CDE may issue an Interim Authorization for a limited period while you finish testing, after which you convert to a full Alternative Teacher License.
Application and Experience Requirements
You must secure a teaching position before CDE will accept you into an alternative licensure program. Check with Colorado school districts directly to find open teaching positions in your endorsement area, then apply online for your Alternative License once you’ve met the program prerequisites.
Depending on the approved alternative preparation program, you’ll serve either one year as a teacher of record or two years, working under a mentor teacher for the first year and as a teacher of record for the second. You must work full-time and teach at least 51 percent of your schedule in your endorsement area throughout the program. When you’ve completed every alternative program requirement, you apply online for your Initial Teacher License.
Background Check and Fingerprinting
Applicants must complete the required fingerprint-based criminal history background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as part of the alternative licensure process. CDE requires completed fingerprinting before it will accept your application, and current forms, submission instructions, and fees are listed directly on the CBI’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a teaching degree to get an alternative teaching license in Colorado?
No. Alternative certification is built for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree in any field. You’ll need to demonstrate content competency in your endorsement area through coursework or a content exam, but the degree itself doesn’t have to be in education.
How long does Colorado’s alternative teacher certification program take?
Most programs run one to two years. In a one-year program, you serve as a teacher of record from the start. In a two-year program, you work under a mentor teacher during year one before becoming a teacher of record in year two.
What exams do I need to pass for alternative certification in Colorado?
It depends on your endorsement area. Some subjects use Praxis Subject Assessments, while others use a CDE-approved content exam. Check the specific requirement for your endorsement with CDE before you register, since Colorado has shifted several endorsement areas away from a single statewide test.
Can I apply for alternative certification before I have a teaching job in Colorado?
Yes. You can apply for a Statement of Eligibility to confirm you meet the base requirements before you start your job search. You’ll still need to secure a teaching position and enroll in a CDE-approved program before you can apply for the full Alternative Teacher License.
Does an alternative teaching license in Colorado lead to a full teaching license?
Yes. Alternative and traditional candidates end up with the same Initial Teacher License issued by CDE. Once you complete your alternative program’s coursework, testing, and supervised teaching requirements, you apply for that license through CDE. If you’re already licensed to teach in another state, Colorado’s teacher reciprocity process may get you to a Colorado license faster than starting an alternative program from scratch.
- A bachelor’s degree in any field can qualify you — you don’t need an education degree to start Colorado’s alternative certification pathway.
- You can check eligibility before you have a job — a Statement of Eligibility confirms you meet the base requirements before you start your search.
- Content competency has more than one path — coursework, a content exam, or credit-by-exam testing can all satisfy the requirement, depending on your endorsement area.
- Alternative and traditional routes lead to the same license — the difference is sequencing, not the credential you end up with.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Colorado, including application requirements and licensing timelines for your certification path.
