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Colorado Department of Education application documents

Which documents does Colorado require from an out-of-state teacher?

The state, institution, employer or testing provider may need to send some records directly.

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

Core application evidence

Requirement

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.

Which application this evidence supports

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.

Conditions to resolve before sending records

  • 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

Send identity documents and background records only where the state agency instructs. TeachPassport does not receive them.

Official sources

Check again by 2026-11-23