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Colorado Department of Education processing time

How long does a Colorado teacher license review take?

Use the state’s published wording for this exact route. A complete-file target is not the same as the number of days since an account was opened or an unfinished application was started.

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

Free timing check

See whether the published timing applies

This uses only the agency timing already reviewed for this route. It does not predict an individual decision date.

Source
Colorado Department of Education
Checked
August 23, 2026
Has the application been submitted?
Does your state account show an open request?

No names, license numbers, passwords or documents are requested.

Agency review

Requirement

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notice to cure the deficiency or request reconsideration; missing the deadline causes the application to be deemed withdrawn.

Which application the published timing describes

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.

What can change the real wait

  • •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

TeachPassport cannot expedite the agency, promise a completion date or treat an elapsed estimate as approval.

Official sources

Check again by 2026-11-23

Colorado Department of EducationTeachers from Out-of-State/Out-of-Country