How to Get Your Colorado Teaching License
Earning your Colorado teaching license is a significant step toward a fulfilling career in education. With top-ranked schools, flexible licensure pathways, and a growing need for teachers, Colorado is a great place to build a career.
This guide will walk you through the steps to earning your teaching license in Colorado — from choosing the right Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to passing the required exams and applying for your credential.
Colorado Department of Education
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) manages educator licensure and provides resources for aspiring and current teachers. If you’re a recent graduate, a career changer, or an out-of-state teacher moving to the Centennial State, the CDE is your primary resource for understanding state regulations and the requirements for becoming a licensed educator.
How to Become a Licensed Teacher in Colorado
Colorado offers several pathways to the classroom, designed to accommodate different backgrounds and career histories.
Traditional Pathway
If you’re a high school graduate and you know you want to become a teacher, the most common route is to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from a 4-year college or university.
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Alternative Pathway
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, you can start teaching in Colorado with an Alternative Teacher License while you complete your EPP.
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Out-of-State Pathway
If you prefer an out-of-state EPP, such as Moreland University’s online, 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, you can apply for a Colorado license through the out-of-state process.
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Benefits of Earning Your Colorado Teaching License
Top-Ranked Schools
Colorado is the third-best state in the nation for education, according to a ranking from U.S. News & World Report. The ranking looks at PreK through higher education and takes into account graduation rates, college readiness, preschool enrollment, and more.
Flexible Licensure Pathways
Colorado welcomes career changers and offers multiple paths to teacher licensure. This flexibility allows people with diverse educational backgrounds to enter the profession and start teaching more easily.
Strong Demand for Teachers
Colorado is projecting 16% growth in jobs for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers by 2032, compared to 2022, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. That’s an average of 5,400 open jobs every single year.
Diverse Student Population
Colorado has 179 school districts and more than 870,000 students with richly diverse backgrounds. More than half of Colorado’s school population are students of color, according to state data, and more than 99,000 students are multilingual learners.
License Types in Colorado
Colorado offers multiple license types to support teachers in different situations and at different stages of their careers.
Alternative Teacher License
This is a 1- to 2-year credential for people who already have a bachelor’s degree but have not yet completed an EPP. An Alternative Teacher License allows you to work as a teacher while you complete the requirements for your Initial Teacher License.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Teaching position in the requested content area
- Demonstration of content knowledge
- Enrollment in an EPP
Initial Teacher License
This is the standard entry level license for new teachers in Colorado who have completed their EPP and testing requirements.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Completed EPP
- Demonstration of content knowledge
Professional Teacher License
This is for more experienced teachers in Colorado who have demonstrated effectiveness in the classroom and completed an induction program.
Requirements:
- Completed, approved induction program
For comprehensive information and additional license types, visit the Colorado Department of Education website.
Colorado Teacher Education Requirements
General Requirements
Colorado teachers need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. They must also:
- Complete an EPP, including student teaching
- Pass the required Praxis exams (or demonstrate content knowledge through another approved avenue)
- Clear fingerprint and background checks
Testing Requirements
Colorado teachers take Praxis exams. Specific exams will vary based on the subject and grades you wish to teach.
Outside of the Praxis exams, Colorado allows teachers to demonstrate content knowledge in other ways. These again will vary based on your specific situation but could include earning a B- or higher in particular courses, holding a bachelor’s degree in an endorsement area, or going through a portfolio review.
Education Requirements
If your bachelor’s degree is in a field other than education, you can earn your Colorado teaching license through an alternative EPP. Colorado has a list of approved in-state programs. Or, you could complete an out-of-state program like Moreland University’s 9-month, 100% online TEACH-NOW program.
Colorado Licensing Application Process
Once you have met the education and testing requirements, you will submit your application through the Colorado Department of Education’s online licensing system, COOL (Colorado Online Licensing).
You will need to gather documents such as official transcripts, proof of exam scores, and your program verification form. You will also need to submit your fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a background check.
Colorado Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs)
Colorado has a list of approved, in-state EPPs. If you prefer an online or out-of-state program, you’ll simply follow Colorado’s process for out-of-state applicants. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW program is an out-of-state option that can be completed in as little as 9 months.
TEACH-NOW:
- Fully accredited
- 100% online
- Global cohort model
- Rolling admissions
- Monthly start dates
- 9 months total
- Clinical learning (student teaching) included
Moreland University’s Guide to Teacher Certification in Colorado provides a streamlined overview of what it takes to become a certified teacher in the Centennial State.
FAQs
You have questions about becoming a licensed teacher in Colorado. We have answers.
How do I become a Colorado teacher?
To become a teacher in Colorado, you typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree, complete an EPP, pass the required Praxis content exams, and submit a background check and application to the Colorado Department of Education.
For more comprehensive information on requirements and available license types, visit the CDE website.
How can out-of-state teachers earn a teaching license in Colorado?
Colorado has a list of approved in-state EPPs. If you prefer an online or out-of-state program (or if you’re already a licensed teacher in another state), you’ll simply follow Colorado’s process for out-of-state applicants. This process involves getting a completed verification form from your EPP.
Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is an out-of-state option for Colorado teachers that can be completed in as little as 9 months.
Do I need a license to teach in Colorado?
Yes, in most cases, you must hold a valid Colorado teaching license to teach in public schools. There are alternative licenses for teachers who still need to complete an EPP.
For more information, visit the Colorado Department of Education website.
What are the requirements for Colorado teacher licensure?
The main requirements for Colorado teachers include earning a bachelor’s degree; completing an EPP, including student teaching; passing the required licensure exams (or demonstrating content knowledge through another avenue); and clearing fingerprint and background checks.
For more comprehensive information, visit the Colorado Department of Education website.
How do I maintain my Colorado teaching license?
Colorado teachers are required to complete ongoing professional development activities to maintain and renew their licenses. If you’re advancing a teaching license (going from Alternative to Initial or Initial to Professional), you will need to complete the additional requirements for the higher license type.
For more detailed information, visit the Colorado Department of Education website.
How long does it take to become a licensed teacher in Colorado?
The timeline depends on your pathway. A traditional undergraduate degree in education typically takes 4 years. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you could earn your license in as little as 9 months through Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program. Because TEACH-NOW is an out-of-state program in Colorado, you would follow the licensure process for out-of-state applicants.
How much do Colorado teachers make?
The average teacher salary in Colorado is $68,647, according to the National Education Association. That’s No. 20 in the nation and is just above Colorado’s minimum living wage, $68,473, per the NEA.
The average starting teacher salary in Colorado is $42,421.
It’s important to note these are averages, and specific salaries will vary significantly by region, district, job title, experience level, and more.
How can I learn more about becoming a licensed teacher in Colorado?
The Colorado Department of Education is the best resource for information on license types, requirements, and the different pathways available in the state.
You can also reach out to Moreland University at admissions@moreland.edu or 844-283-2246. We’d be happy to answer your questions about teacher licensure or our 9-month, 100% online EPP.