Provisional License
Demonstration of proficiencies.
Entitles the holder to perform services in any public school in Colorado offering an approved induction program and is the standard entry-level license in Colorado.
To move to a Professional License, the following requirements must have been met:
The Provisional license may be renewed once if the above requirements are not met within the three year time frame of the first Provisional license.
Professional License
To renew a Professional license including endorsements the following requirements must be met:
Master Certificate
Voluntary certification.
Issued to educators who demonstrate advanced competencies and achievement.
Held in conjunction with a Professional License. Issuance of a Master Certificate extends the validity of a Professional License to seven years.
Alternative Teacher License
Issued to an applicant who has earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and possesses subject matter knowledge appropriate for teaching in the public schools; passed all portions of the assessments except the professional knowledge; agrees to participate in an on-the-job, one-year, alternative teacher preparation program; has received a contract as an alternative teacher from an authorized school or school district for one full academic year.
General Requirements
for a Colorado Educator License or Authorization
The packet that contains all of the materials necessary to apply for the following can be obtained by contacting the Colorado Department of Education:
1. Provisional License
B. Provisional Special Services License (valid for three years): Completion of an approved special services program, passing scores on the required PLACE assessments (or other appropriate assessment, registration, license, or certificate), and evidence of oral English proficiency.
C. Provisional Principal License (valid for three years): Completion of an approved graduate program for the principalship, passing scores on the required PLACE assessments, and evidence of oral English proficiency.
D. Provisional Administrator License (valid for three years): Completion of an approved graduate program for school administration, passing scores on the required PLACE assessments, and evidence of oral English proficiency.
Temporary Authorization
* A Type VI Authorization-Temporary may be issued to an applicant who holds a standard certificate or license as a teacher, special services provider, principal or administrator in the preparing state and has not had opportunity to complete required PLACE assessments. This authorization is valid for two years and may not be renewed. Applicants prepared in a state other than Colorado should complete the application for a Provisional License even though the PLACE assessments have not been completed. Applicants prepared in Colorado should submit the completed application for a Provisional License after all assessments have been passed.
2. A Substitute Authorization (Type V).
B. A three-year authorization may be issued to an applicant who:
b. Provide evidence of passing scores on the PLACE assessments including: basic skills, liberal arts and science, content area, and demonstrate oral proficiency.
c. Meet the subject matter requirements necessary for teaching in the appropriate endorsement area(s) through transcript review, or portfolio review.
d. Agree to participate in a one-year alternative teacher training program in an authorized school or school district.
B. Have work experience beyond the leamer (apprenticeship) level in the occupation in which the applicant is to give instruction.
C. Hold a vocational credential issued by the State Board for the Community College and Occupational Education System.
D. Agree to participate in a one-year alternative vocational teacher program.
Regional Accreditation refers to an institution of higher education
which is accredited by one of the following regional associations:
1. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
2. The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NASC)
3. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
4. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
5. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
6. The Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (MSA/CHE)
A Colorado educator license or authorization is required for employment as a teacher, principal, administrator, special services provider, or substitute teacher in any Colorado public school (22-63-201, C.R.S.).
This document contains information for initial Colorado licenses, alternative teacher licenses, and substitute authorizations. For the application packet or for the Renewal of a Colorado teacher, administrator, or special services certificate, either current or expired and/or Added endorsement(s)
Please call 303/866-6628 and request the application and packet.
Colorado Required Assessments
The PLACE Assessments are required to obtain licensure in Colorado. The Registration Bulletin is included with this packet. The Bulletin provides information concerning the assessments required. Please read the Bulletin carefully before calling for information. .
All applicants must pass the Basic Skills Assessments. All applicants must also demonstrate Oral English Proficiency by:
All Teachers must pass, including the Basic Skills Assessment, the Liberal Arts and Sciences Assessment, the Content Area Assessment in the specific field in which they seek a license, and the Professional Knowledge Assessment. For any added endorsement, the Content Area Assessment in that endorsement area must be passed.
All Administrators must pass, including the Basic Skills Assessment, the Principal Assessment in order to function as a Principal in a Colorado school and/or the Administrator Assessment in order to function as a Superintendent in a Colorado school district.
All Special Services Providers must pass, including the Basic Skills Assessment, the appropriate Content Area/Specialty Assessment. Please note that some vocational areas require licensure in the content area. If in doubt, please call 303/866-6628 and request specific information.
Colorado Testing Centers Providing Oral English Proficiency
Fort Lewis College Regis University
Hesperus Hall, Room 121 Adult Learning Center #304
Durango, CO 81301 3333 Regis Blvd.
970/247-7280 Denver, CO 80221
303/458-4218
Front Range Community College
3645 West 112th Avenue University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
Westminster, CO 80030 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
303/466-8811, x338 P.O. Box 7150
Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7150
Lamar Community College 719/593-2355
2401 South Main
Lamar, CO 81052 University of Denver-Testing Center
719/336-2248, x222 Emi Hyde Bldg.
2460 Vine St.
Mesa State College Denver, CO 80208
P.O. Box 2647 303/871-2528
Grand Junction, CO 81502
970/248-1215 University of Northern Colorado
Career Counseling and Testing
Metropolitan State College Kepner 0010, 0025
Academic Assessment and Support Center Greeley, CO 80639
Campus Box 99 970/351-2127
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362 Western State College
303/556-3677 Department of Education & Geography
Kelley Hall, # 112
Red Rocks Community College Gunnison, CO 81231
Learning Development Assessment Center 970/943-2030
13300 West Sixth Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80401-5398
303/988-6160, x243 or 303/988-6786
Note: Graduates of Colorado colleges and universities are assessed for Oral English Proficiency as part of their educator preparation programs.
Your Evaluation...
Colorado licenses and authorization may be issued upon satisfactory completion of the requirements appropriate to the license or authorization you are seeking.
Your complete application will be evaluated by the Colorado Department of Education to determine if you meet Colorado State Board of Education.
If you are eligible ...
The appropriate license or authorization will be issued after a favorable evaluation has been completed. your license or authorization will be mailed to you.
If you are not eligible...
After an evaluation has been completed and the Department of Education determines that deficiencies exist, your application materials will be returned with a memorandum indicating specific requirements which must be met before a license can be issued.
When those deficiencies have been remedied please attach the appropriate documentation to the previously evaluated application packet and resubmit all materials to this Department.
Fees submitted for evaluation are not refundable, but are valid for one year from the date they were originally submitted.
Processing Time
Please allow four weeks for processing after your completed application has been submitted. You may check on the status of your application if it has been more than 30 days from the date your application was received.
Plan ahead. Apply well in submitted advance of the date of anticipated employment.
Reciprocity
A Provisional Colorado license may be issued to an applicant from another state or country who has met following requirements:
The Department of Education may recognize other state authorized educator preparation programs for applicants who have completed such programs and have provided evidence of three or more years of full-time, satisfactory experience at the grade or developmental level and endorsement/specialty area being sought.
Your Employment...
The Educator Licensing Unit of the Colorado Department of Education does not maintain a placement service, nor is there a designated state placement service for educators. Please contact local school districts for information concerning employment. School districts listed alphabetically by county are found in the Colorado Education and Library Directory.
Each district's central office staff, with addresses and telephone numbers, as well as each building within the district and its address and telephone number and principal's name, are included, The Directory is $15; send a check payable to the Colorado Department of Education, to:
Your Transcripts...
Only official transcripts will be accepted. An official transcript bears the seal of the institution and the signature of the registrar. Official transcripts with the registrar's seal and stamped "Issued to the Student" will be accepted. Grade reports and letters from faculty members are not acceptable.
Photocopies of transcripts and grade reports will not be accepted.
Applicants in the process if completing degrees and course work should not make application for licensure until official transcripts reflecting the course work and the degree are available.
Foreign Transcripts ...
The Colorado Department of Education does not determine degree, credit, and program equivalencies for persons with credentials from outside the United States, except for Canadian transcripts which are in English.
Please work directly with a recognized credentials evaluation agency and have the appropriate evaluation sent to you, and include it with your application. The following are the names and addresses of two acceptable credential evaluation services.
World Education Services, Inc. Intentional Consultants of Delaware, Inc.
P.O. Box 11623 109 Barksdale Professional Center
Chicago, IL 60611-0623 Newark, DE 19711
Telephone: 312./222-0882 Telephone: 302/737-8715
Your Endorsements ...
Endorsements on licenses and authorizations indicate the grade level(s), subject area(s), or other areas of specialization which are appropriate to the applicant's preparation, training, and experience. Endorsements are typically granted in the major area of specialization and only in those areas which constitute approved programs.
*Art
Business Education .
Distributive Education
Drama
Driver Education
English
Foreign Language(s)
*Health
Home Economics
Industrial Arts
*+Linguistically Different (Bilingual and ESL)
Mathematics
*Music
*Physical Education
Science
Social Studies
Speech
Technical Education
Trade and Industrial Education
**Teacher 2 - Severe Needs: Cognitive, Affective, Vision, Hearing, and Communication
Teacher 3 - Profound Needs
**Teacher 4 - Early Childhood Special Education.
All Special Education endorsements require approved graduate level programs except for the Teacher 3- Profound Needs endorsement which may be issued on a Bachelor's degree program.
#Occupational Therapist
#Orientation and Mobility (Peropatology)
#Physical Therapist. School Nurse
#**School Psychologist
#**School Social Worker
#**Speech/Language Pathologist
**!Counselor
**!Director of Special Education
**+!Reading Teacher
**+!Reading Specialist
+!School Library Media
8. Vocational subject area endorsements are issued in a variety of occupational areas reflecting the trade or technical experience of the applicant. Contact the Educator Licensing Unit for further information.
* May be issued for elementary, middle school, secondary, or K-12
** Requires graduate level preparation
+ Added endorsements only (requires an endorsement in another areas as well).
# Requires submission of professional registration certification or license.
! Some experience required.
Your Background Check ...
All first time applicants for Colorado licenses or authorizations are required to furnish a properly completed and readable set of fingerprints with the application. Colorado law allows a license or authorization to be issued prior to receiving the results of the fingerprint check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The fingerprint check is both state and national, using files of the Colorado and Federal Bureaus of Investigation.
Misdemeanors and Felonies Instructions
Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than minor traffic offenses) documents delineating the final disposition of the must offer an explanation and substantiate it with conviction.. You may be asked to submit additional
2. Complete the identification information required on the fingerprint card. This in- documentation. Includes your full name, signature, complete address with zip code, physical information (sex, race, height, weight, color of eyes and hair), place of birth, date of birth, and citizen- ship. If the identification section of the fingerprint card is not completed as required, , the card and your application file will be returned to you. This will delay your licensure.
3. Contact a local police or sheriffs department to arrange for fingerprinting. 5There may be a charge for this service
4. Enclose the completed fingerprint card with your complete application. Be sure that the fingerprints are readable. Unreadable prints will result in your having to have another set of fingerprints taken.
5. Do not fold the card.
Alternative Teacher License Program
1 The Alternative Teacher License Program allows school districts, independent schools. boards of · . cooperative services, and institutions of higher education to develop and implement programs for the training of teachers. These agencies provide a one-year, on-the-job program of teacher training and supervision for the alternative teacher. 2. Who is eligible? Candidates interested in employment as an alternative teacher must: · Hold a Baccalaureate Degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. · Have met subject matter requirements and been confirmed as having the necessary knowledge of the subject matter to teach in the appropriate endorsement area. This normally means the completion of a major in the area(s) in which you wish to teach. · Provide evidence of passing scores on the PLACE assessments including Basic Skills, Oral English proficiency, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Educator Content Area. · Agree to participate fully in an approved Alternative Teacher Program.
The Colorado Department of Education evaluates all candidates for eligibility to participate in an Alternative Teacher Program. Successful alternative license applicants will initially receive a Statement of Eligibility (SOE). The applicant may then use the SOE to seek a full-time position with an approved school or school district. Upon verification of a full-time position, the applicant will be issued a one year alternative teacher license. Following successful completion of the Alternative Teacher Program and successful completion of the Professional Knowledge Assessment, the license holder will be eligible for the three-year Provisional License.
I 3. The endorsement/teaching areas available for a license through the alliterative route are:
· Agriculture · Home Economics
· Art · Industrial Arts
· Business Education · Linguistically Different (Bilingual & ESL)
· Distributive Education · Mathematics
· Drama · Middle School
· Early Childhood Education · Music
· Elementary Education · Physical Education
· English · Science
· Foreign Language(s) · Social Studies
· Health · Speech
4. If you have work experience applicable to your requested teaching area(s) or the field of teaching, please attach a description of such work experience.
5. All sections of the Application must be completed. Incomplete Applications will be returned.
Supplementary Information may be requested.
Please call 303/866-6628.
Please select option #1 and then #4.
Educator Licensing Fee Information
The Colorado State Board of Education annually sets fees for all applications for licenses authorizations and additional endorsements issued by the Colorado Department of
October 1, 1995 through June 30, 1996
Make checks or Money Orders payable to the Colorado Department of Education
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