To get licensed to teach in Colorado:
- Determine what you want to teach.
- Choose the right endorsement area.
- Review your pathway to licensure.
- Determine the time and resources needed.
- Review other resources, if you're still exploring.
Note: We do our best to keep all information updated, but because licensing requirements are regularly reviewed and revised, it is best to confirm requirements with your educator preparation program and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) before applying.
Which statement fits you best?
If you know what ages or grades you want to teach—your next steps are to:
- Decide which subject/licensure area you’d like to teach (next section).
- Select an educator preparation program that offers your desired licensure area and matches your current education level.
- Apply to your educator preparation program.
Pro Tip: There are lots of different subject areas to teach at all ages and grade levels. At any level, getting licensed in a high-demand area provides more job opportunities. Your employment prospects may be stronger, especially at the elementary level, where there are a large number of applicants.
If you want to teach elementary school, consider choosing a high-demand area:
- Special Education (K-12)
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (K-12)
If you prefer middle or high school, high-demand areas include:
- Special Education (K-12)
- Math (7-12)
- Science (7-12)
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (K-12)
To broaden your options, you could also consider a subject area that allows you to teach in all grades, PK-12 (for a complete list, see Choosing a Licensure Area):
- Special Education
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
- Technology Education
- Physical Education & Health
- Dance
- Music & Art
Read more about high-need and critical shortage areas for teachers, and the perks that come with teaching in these crucial areas.
Heads Up: Most licensure areas require specific tests. Review the Colorado Department of Education’s testing requirements to get a leg up on which assessments are required for the subject area you wish to teach.
Consider a Critical Needs Subject or Shortage Area
You’ll have more job opportunities—and make a bigger impact—teaching in a high-need area. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you may also be able to start teaching (and start getting paid) sooner through an alternative licensure program.
The Colorado Department of Education lists the following hard-to-staff areas that may qualify for teacher loan forgiveness or other district-level incentives:
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
- Math, Secondary Grades (7-12)
- Special Education (K-12)
- Special Service Provider
- Teachers in rural schools
Some programs offer scholarships or forgivable loans to pay for your education preparation program if you commit to teaching in hard-to-staff areas:
- The Colorado Rural Teaching Fellowship offers $10,000 of financial assistance to future educators in the final year of teacher preparation who commit to teaching in a rural school district.
- You may also be eligible for student loan relief from Uncle Sam if you’re willing to commit to teaching for several years in high-need areas, thanks to the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.
- The value of the Colorado Rural Teaching Stipend is up to $4,000 for the semester of student teaching. Stipend recipients are expected to complete student teaching in a Colorado rural school district and then apply to and work in a rural school district.
- The Rural Alternative Licensure Stipend (RALS) provides recipients with up to $6,000 to pay for a variety of program-related costs (e.g., Alternative Licensure program-, PRAXIS-, Alternative License-, Initial License-, technology- and travel-related costs).
Choosing a Licensure Area
Once you know your grade and subject preferences, you can select a licensure endorsement area.
Pro Tip: You can add endorsement areas in different grade levels and subject areas throughout your teaching career. You don’t have to get all your endorsements at once.
Your Pathway to Teaching
Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.
Colorado accepts degrees from a large number of universities, but you should confirm that yours is a regionally accredited college or university. The bachelor’s degree you earn should be in a field closely related to what you want to teach. To be accepted into a Colorado educator preparation program, you generally need a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 for all undergraduate courses.
Keep in mind that you can earn your degree and your teaching license at the same time, so if you’re an undergraduate, see step 2 below.
Complete a state-approved educator preparation program.
You can meet this requirement either as part of your undergraduate coursework, or by completing a master’s or licensure-only program after you graduate.
Generally, you’ll need a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 for all undergraduate courses and passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills Tests or SAT or ACT. Each program sets its own requirements for admission and completion.
Through your preparation program, you will:
- Take coursework related to the specific subject and grade levels you want to teach, along with courses on teaching best practices (pedagogy).
- Participate in hands-on, clinical experiences in a variety of classroom settings, where you can observe and practice with instructors, mentors and teachers who are effective and experienced.
Pass Colorado licensure assessments.
Most Colorado educator preparation programs require teacher candidates to pass specific tests that evaluate your knowledge of teaching and the subject area you wish to teach. Your educator preparation program will determine the timing of when you will take these assessments.
Submit an application to the state and pay the application fee.
After you meet the requirements above, it’s time for you to formally apply for your teaching license. First, confirm with your educator preparation program that you are eligible to apply. After that, check out the Colorado Department of Education website to apply for your license.
Pro Tip: By creating an online account with the Licensing Office, you can apply for your license online, pay fees, check the status of your application or print unofficial copies of your license.
Adding it Up
Teaching is the greatest opportunity to shape the trajectories of young people’s lives—and the future of our world. While the experiences you’ll have are priceless, you may be wondering what it costs to get licensed to teach in Colorado.
The total costs will vary depending on the educator preparation program you attend and the tests required for your licensure area. Below are some of the costs you can expect while applying for your license:
- Initial educator license: $90
- Out-of-state initial educator license: $110
- Content-specific exams: Starting at $120
Pro Tip: It's understandable to have your eye on the cost of educator preparation programs, but there are lots of scholarships, loan forgiveness and other funding opportunities that may lower program costs for future teachers. Check out Financial Aid & Scholarships to learn more.
Additional Resources
- Educator Preparation Program ProfilesLearn More
Head over to Explore Programs to learn more about TEACH Colorado’s participating educator preparation options.
- Troops to TeachersLearn More
Find out about exclusive opportunities available to Colorado’s military veterans to get licensed to teach.
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