Educator Authorization Requirements

Colorado issues 14 authorizations.

General requirements for each are listed below; select the credential type for the application checklist for detailed requirements:

district-specific; and
bachelor's or higher degree* or five or more year's full-time experience in the content area
not for Special Education or Special Services areas

38 content areas (each has specific content requirements); and
2,000 hours occupational experience in the content area
initial (3-year) CTE may not be renewed; must be advanced to a 5-year professional authorization

associate’s or higher degree in educational interpreting;*
certificate of completion on the EIPA written exam;and
successful performance on the appropriate performance exam (EIPA, Cued Language Transliterator or Oral Transliterator) - individuals who are awaiting exam results or who need to retake the exam may qualify temporarily; see application checklist for more information

not for Special Education or Special Services areas (see TEE);
district-specific;
bachelor’s or higher degree;* and
enrollment in an approved program (SLPA included), necessary coursework or required exam in the content area requested
may be renewed only once

district-specific;
participation in a district-recognized exchange educator program; and
holds/is eligible to hold a license as a teacher, special service provider, principal or administrator in another country
may be renewed only once

• JROTC certification

district-specific;
qualify for an adjunct authorization; and
demonstrate expertise in a Native American language of a federally recognized tribe
to renew, simply complete the application again

bachelor’s or higher degree in communication disorders or SLP* OR a bachelor’s degree* in any area and 24 semester hours in SLP coursework; and
completion of a SLP assistant program, including a 100-contact hour school-based practicum

district-specific; and
active enrollment in a special services provider program which requires completion of an internship
may not be renewed

5-Year: a valid or expired Colorado or other-state-issued teacher license
3-Year: bachelor’s or higher degree*
1-Year: attestation to successful work with children and high school diploma (minimum)
to renew, simply complete the application again (go the the expired credentials tab in your COOL account, select the "information" link and then the "re-apply" butu)

for Special Education and Special Services areas only;
district-specific;
bachelor’s or higher degree* (in any area); and
enrollment in a traditional preparation program for ECSE, special education generalists, gifted education, director of special education or of gifted education OR a special services area
may be renewed up to twice with ongoing progress toward meeting full licensure requirements

individuals from outside Colorado who hold/qualify to hold a teacher, principal or administrator license in another state, but who first need to satisfy Colorado’s endorsement requirements (determined upon evaluation of a complete application)
- refer to the Out-of-State page to apply for the appropriate license
- may be renewed once: Renew Interim Teacher / Renew Interim Principal / Renew Interim Administrator
individuals participating in a Colorado alternative teacher preparation program who do not demonstrate content knowledge at the time of enrollment and application
- refer to the alternative teacher application checklist and Teacher webpage
- may be renewed once to complete a 2-year program via the alternative teacher application checklist
- review the "Alternative Teacher Candidates: What You Need to Know" webpage for additional information

*degrees must be earned at a regionally accredited college or university.