Starting point
Does Colorado accept out-of-state teaching licenses?
An out-of-state license can open a path to Colorado certification, but it does not transfer automatically. The state decides which certificate, endorsements, tests or additional requirements apply.
Your exact route can still depend on your license type, preparation, experience, subjects, grade levels and testing history.
How teacher license reciprocity works · Look up your current license
Mobility compact
Colorado joined the teacher mobility compact
Compact eligibility may matter when your current license also comes from a member state. Joining the compact does not replace the need for current Colorado application instructions and an eligible-license match.
Check compact states and eligibilityKeep your place
Your Colorado application checklist
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Need a more specific list? Add your current state, subject, grades and experience.
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What can change your path
- • 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
What the state says
1 official source
These facts come from official sources. The state agency still makes the final licensing decision.
Credential outcome
A first Colorado teacher license may be issued for one, three or seven years depending on the applicant's qualifications and CDE evaluation.
Content knowledge
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.
Core evidence
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.
Base application fee
$110 is the published base teacher-license application fee. Colorado law prohibits refunding the application-evaluation fee; fingerprint and third-party costs are separate.
Agency review
CDE states that it evaluates a complete application within 45 business days and requires filing within 30 days after receiving the background check. An applicant has 60 days after an incomplete notice to cure the deficiency or request reconsideration; missing the deadline causes the application to be deemed withdrawn.
State certification help
4 guides
Why your details matter
State websites describe the possible routes. The right one for you can depend on your license, preparation, experience, subjects, grades, tests, National Board status and compact eligibility. TeachPassport uses those details to work out your path and handle the steps it can do for you.
One thing to know: CDE determines the license duration, endorsement alignment and any examination requirement only after reviewing a complete application.
Plan the whole move
Questions to answer before you apply
The application is only one part of the move. Check the costs, timing and records that can hold up an otherwise complete file.
Common license moves to Colorado
1 routes
Official sources
State agency material