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Colorado Department of Education test requirements

Will I need another teacher test in Colorado?

Requirements can differ by certificate, subject, grade span and prior score.

Open Teachers from Out-of-State/Out-of-Country
Official state guidance State makes the decision Checked 2026-08-23

Testing and assessment treatment

Requirement

Each requested endorsement needs accepted content-knowledge evidence, such as an approved exam, endorsement worksheet or CDE multiple-measures approval; CDE may determine an exam is still required.

Which out-of-state path this covers

Colorado evaluates out-of-state preparation, content knowledge, licenses and recent fully licensed experience for a first Colorado teacher license and requested endorsements.

What can change this answer

CDE determines the license duration, endorsement alignment and any examination requirement only after reviewing a complete application.

Documents you may need

CDE lists official transcripts from every institution, program verification or qualifying licensed-experience evidence, copies of educator licenses, work history, identity evidence and any required disclosure documents.

Where the testing answer can change

  • A valid Social Security number is required to apply; an applicant who has only an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number must contact CDE before applying
  • Program verification may be replaced only by qualifying recent fully licensed experience under the agency's criteria
  • Alternative, emergency, provisional, substitute and similar experience does not count toward the three-year experience provision
  • The application must be submitted within 30 days after CDE receives the background check
  • After an incomplete-application notice, the applicant has 60 days to supply the missing material or request reconsideration; CDE does not extend that deadline to wait for a background check

Register and send scores only for the exact exam code named by the state agency.

Official sources

Check again by 2026-11-23