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Overview: How to Earn a Teaching License

TEACH experts give you a simple overview of teacher licensure and answer some common questions. Those are the basics!.To get the details for Colorado, keep reading this page!

How to Earn Your Colorado Teaching License

In general, these are the steps to become a Colorado teacher. But it’s always a good idea to confirm requirements with teaching programs before you enroll!
  1. 1

    Decide what you want to teach

    When you enroll in a teaching program, you'll need to know the subject and grade level you want to teach. These will determine your licensure area.

    Getting licensed in a shortage area such as early childhood education, science, special education or world languages can provide more opportunities and even higher pay!

    Explore Colorado teacher licensure areas.

  2. 2

    Select & apply to a teaching program

    Make sure to look for programs that match your education and background and offer the specific teaching license you want! Students need teachers from all backgrounds with all interests. Whether you already have a degree, have experience in a technical or industry setting such as welding or tech, or need to earn your bachelor's, there’s a teaching program that will fit your needs.

    Understand degree requirements.

  3. 3

    Get financial support for your teaching program

    TEACH Colorado can help you reduce your teaching program costs! Apply for a TEACH Colorado scholarship, and use our Financial Aid Explorer to find grants, scholarships and other aid opportunities.

    And some teaching programs will pay you to start teaching while you earn your license.

    Learn about financial support.

  4. 4

    Pass required tests

    As a future teacher, you’ll need to pass a few tests to show you’re ready to teach your own classroom. Getting licensed in Colorado usually includes one or more Praxis subject area exams.

    You’ll usually take your exams around the time that you finish your teaching program.

    Stressed about testing? You're not alone! Our Testing Guide covers everything from exam registration to study materials to what to expect on test day.

    Understand testing requirements.

  5. 5

    Apply for your teaching license

    Almost there! Once you’re eligible, you’ll apply to the State of Colorado for a license. Don’t worry though, your teaching program will walk you through this part. 

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What Should You Teach? Teach What You Love!

The best, most memorable teachers are the ones who really love their teaching subjects! Whether you nerd out on languages or get excited about history, let your passion and experience be your guide. 

Hear from teachers in Pre-K, science, language arts and more about why they love teaching. 
 

Types of Teaching Subjects

You have many options of both subject and grade level. Consider the following types of teaching subjects.

Prefer to specialize in your subject area or work with older students? Teach in a middle or high school and go deep in your favorite topics, whether it’s biology, geometry, history, literature or math. (And lots of others!)

If you have industry experience in agriculture, business, manufacture and repair, or technology, you may want to teach in a high school industry training program. 

Many of these subjects don't require a bachelor's degree, but you do need industry certifications and experience. 

Some subjects—like P.E., music or art—allow you to work at any level, from elementary through high school. 

The same goes for many special education endorsements. These subjects allow flexibility to move between grade levels and find a wider range of job openings. 

Some subjects have a higher need for teachers than others. If you want to make the biggest impact and have guaranteed job openings, consider learning more about where you’re needed most, including science, bilingual education, early childhood, and special education.

Get the full list of Colorado shortage areas. Our Guide to Colorado Licensure Areas will give you details.

Colorado’s littlest learners need teachers, too. You could work in a childcare center, a Pre-K program, or an elementary school. Some licenses don’t require you to have a bachelor’s degree right away, so it can be a good place to start if you need to earn a degree. Learn more about Early Childhood Education. 

Love lots of subjects? Enjoy working with young children? Elementary teachers get to make fun lesson plans and engaging activities for math, reading, science, history and more for grades K-6. 

Get the Full Guide

An image of the TEACH Colorado Teacher Licensure Guide

Sign up to download our Guide to Colorado teacher licensure to learn about specific subject areas and keep all the details handy. You can also visit our online Guide to Colorado Licensure Areas.

Get the Free Guide

Degree Requirements to Teach

Most teaching licenses require you to have a bachelor’s degree. There are a couple of exceptions though:

  • Some Early Childhood Education positions do not require a bachelor’s degree. But they do require teacher education and experience. We can walk you through the details in our Guide to Early Childhood Education in Colorado.
  • Many Career & Technical Education positions rely on your industry experience rather than a degree. Learn about options in our Guide to Colorado Licensure Areas.

Nope! For almost all teaching positions, you want a degree or lots of coursework in your specific teaching subject—that means a degree in math to teach math, a degree in science to teach science, and so on.

If you’re an undergraduate, you may find it helpful to minor in education, if that’s an option. Talk to your college advisor about this.

If you already have a degree in a field like anthropology or marketing, and you want to teach science or English, you need a certain number of course credits in those subjects, though you may be eligible to take a test to show you know your subject.

Not sure if your degree counts? Talk to a TEACH Colorado advisor for FREE. Let our experts walk you through your options.

Talk to an Advisor

You don't always know what you want to teach when you first choose a major. Or you may be thinking about switching careers into your new area of interest. 

Either way, you can earn an endorsement in a subject other than your degree subject in a couple of ways:

  • Additional credits: If you have at least 24 credits in the subject you want to teach with a B or better grade average, even if it's not your major, you may be eligible to teach it.
  • Testing: For many subjects, you can test to show your qualifications. 

No matter which method you choose, you'll want to make sure you enroll in a teaching program that offers an endorsement option in the subject you want to teach. If your major and your subject are really different (you have a degree in math and want to teach art), talk to an advisor before diving in!

Talk to a TEACH Colorado advisor.

What is a teaching program?

Picture of the Colorado teacher preparation program explorer

Often called an “educator preparation program,” a teaching program helps you learn the ropes in a classroom setting.

Even if you know a lot about your subject, it can be hard to know how to teach it to others. It’s a special skill and it doesn’t always come naturally.

In your teaching program, you'll gain experience developing creative lessons, get practice in classroom management, and learn to tailor your lessons to the needs of a wide range of students. 

Sign up to access our complete Program Explorer tool.

Sign Up to Explore Programs

Types of Teaching Programs

A "traditional" bachelor’s or master’s degree program allows you to weave a teaching license into your degree program. These programs offer the most intensive support, with full coursework, student teaching, and lots of feedback. 

If you don't have a degree yet, then a bachelor's degree program is the perfect way to combine your education with your teaching license. And you can begin at a community college, too. Many community colleges offer direct pathways and experience for future teachers.

If you do have a bachelor's degree, then you should consider whether you want an advanced degree or whether you're only looking for a program that helps you earn a license.

A master's degree program offers extra support to learn the teaching trade, from lesson planning to classroom management—and you earn an advanced degree. Of course, the program may take longer and cost more than other options, such as alternative licensure, though you'll be eligible for financial aid. 

Apprenticeship programs pair you with a school district to get hands-on experience in your grade and subject while earning a paycheck and earning your license. These are great if you like to learn by doing and want to fast-track your license. 

These programs are designed especially for early childhood education, elementary education, and special education. You can learn more at the Colorado Department of Education website, here. 

Typically for working adults with a degree, an alternative licensure program allows you to start teaching right away after a short training period, and with significant support during your first year on the job.

Unlike a master's degree program, you won't earn a degree with this pathway and you'll dive right into the classroom. So if you feel confident jumping right in—with support from your school—this pathway might be right for you. 

You’ll need to enroll in an alternative licensure teaching program and take courses outside of your job, but you have two years to finish up the program and earn your license while you teach. 

If you already work at a school—as a teacher's aide, substitute teacher, or other instructional support staff, you may be eligible for specialized programs that keep you working at your current school while you advance your career into the classroom. 

At the University of Colorado's Paraprofessional to Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway, you can take courses online while staying at your school in your hometown. 

Learn more about the Paraprofessional to Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway.

Not already working at a school? Consider applying! 

Schools have many important roles helping teachers in and out of the classroom. You’ll gain valuable classroom management experience, make connections with teachers and schools, and earn a living while working towards your license. 

About Alternative Licensure

Image a woman with graphic certificate and degree signs around her

If you have a degree, alternative licensure lets you start a teaching job while you complete an educator preparation program.

With an alternative teaching license, you can:

  • Earn a salary while you complete your teaching program.
  • Gain experience while you learn the tools of the trade.
  • Finish a teaching program for less money and less time than a standard program.
Learn More About Alternative Licensure

Financial Aid Options

We don’t want finances to stop you from becoming a teacher. We offer a Financial Aid Explorer, fee reimbursements to help pay for application, testing, and other fees, and exclusive scholarships to help pay costs for a high-quality teaching program.

There’s no simple answer to this question. It depends on your circumstances and whether you already have a bachelor’s degree or need to earn one. Some programs pay you during training.

Here are some factors that affect the cost of your teaching training:

  • You don’t have a bachelor’s degree. If you need to earn a bachelor’s degree, then you’ll be looking at the cost of a college education. Colorado has programs such as the Colorado Promise that pay for up to two years of your schooling!
  • You have a degree in your teaching subject. If you already have a degree in the subject you want to teach, you can apply for teaching positions through alternative licensure and start earning a salary right away. You’ll still need to pay for your teaching program, but it will be offset by your salary.
  • You are an experienced tradesperson. If you are experienced in an industry skill or trade, you may be able to begin teaching right away through career and technical education!
  • You plan to teach in a high need subject area. You’ll find additional scholarships, grants, and loan forgiveness options if you choose a subject area such as special education, math, science, bilingual ed or early childhood education.

Get the Finances Guide for Future Teachers to learn more. 

Colorado wants to make teaching programs as affordable as possible. You may be eligible for the following types of financial assistance for future teachers.

  • Colorado Promise. You can get two free years of college if your family income is lower than $90,000. Learn more about the Colorado Promise.
  • Scholarships & Grants. These are free money based on factors such as the subject you choose to teach, the program you enroll in, your income, and more.
  • Loan Forgiveness. If you do need to take loans for school, you can get them forgiven—that means you won’t have to pay them all back—for teaching. Learn more about loan forgiveness programs.
  • Earn While You Learn. Some programs allow you to earn a salary while you earn your teaching license. This salary offers both living expenses and offsets the cost of your program. 

Find Financial Aid

Find Financial Aid With Our Financial Aid Explorer Tool

Sign up for a TEACH Colorado account to search our database of scholarships, grants, fee reimbursements and more with our Financial Aid Explorer.

Explore Financial Aid

About Teaching Tests

  • To become a teacher, you’ll need to show that you know your subject well enough to teach it. Depending on the subject you want to teach, you can do this in several ways:

    • Earn a bachelor’s degree in your teaching subject.
    • Earn 24 college credits or more in your teaching subject with a grade of B or better.
    • Pass a Praxis exam for your teaching subject.

    Not sure which one makes most sense for you? Check out the information on the Colorado Department of Education’s site, or contact a TEACH Colorado advisor to get one-on-one advice. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about teacher licensure in Colorado!

It depends on your background and the type of teaching program you choose.

Here's what you can expect for most programs:

  • Bachelor’s degree + licensure: About 4 years
  • Master’s degree + licensure: 1–3 years
  • Alternative licensure: 1–2 years
  • Licensure-only: About 1 year

“Reciprocity” means that if you’re already licensed to teach outside of Colorado, your license may be valid in Colorado. 

  • Understand requirements for out-of-state applicants. 
  • Learn how to apply for a Colorado license if you’re an out-of-state or out-of-country teacher.

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: For most subjects, you’ll eventually need a teaching license to teach in Colroado public schools. But if you have a bachelor’s degree or vocational work experience, you may qualify for alternative pathways that put you in the classroom faster!

  • Do you have a bachelor’s degree? Licensure-only or alternative licensure programs take less time and cost less than standard licensure programs. Learn more about alternative licensure. 
  • Are you a tradesperson? If you have vocational experience, you may be able to teach as a Career & Technical Education instructor. For some subjects, you'll need a degree and teaching license—but for others, you may be able to start teaching with a Career & Technical Education authorization in your field. Positions are available in fields such as skilled trades, manufacturing, agricultural science, media arts and others. Learn more.

As a Colorado educator, your pay will depend on your years of experience and where you work. For example, if you teach in a rural area, your total salary may be lower—but you’ll also have a lower cost of living than more urban teachers.

In 2023, Colorado’s average teacher salary was $60,775. (2)

Wondering how to pay for your program? We can help! Here are a few of the resources TEACH Colorado offers:

  • TEACH Colorado scholarships for future educators
  • $100 back for any application-related costs
  • Information about financial resources with our Finances Guide
  • Explore scholarships and other opportunities with our Financial Aid Explorer.

Considering teaching in a rural area? You may qualify for generous financial aid, including loan forgiveness, student teaching stipends and scholarships. Learn more. 

What’s next

Career Coaching in Colorado

Talk to an expert about how to become a licensed teacher in Colorado. Get free advice on what to teach and how to choose and apply to the right program.

Read More

Guides in Colorado

Put your best foot forward when applying to teaching programs in Colorado. Reports & Guides deliver best practices for each step along the way, from studying for exams to applying for jobs and internships.

Read More

Colorado Teaching License (Complete Guide)

Learn how to earn a Colorado teaching license in our comprehensive step-by-step guide. Bookmark this page or get the full PDF guide.

Get the Guide
Image of the downloadable certification guide

Wondering how to become a teacher?

The right path will depend on your background, education and career experience.

On this page, we’ll go over each step you’ll need to take, plus answer some commonly asked questions about certification. Let’s dive in!

What’s in the Guide?

  1. Overview of Licensure
  2. Subjects You Can Teach
  3. Degree Requirements to Teach
  4. What is a Teaching Program
  5. About Alternative Licensure
  6. Financial Aid Options
  7. About Teaching Tests
  8. Frequently Asked Questions