Licensure Requirements for Out-of-State and Foreign Applicants

Frequently Asked Questions

Special Services Provider Endorsement Requirements.

Can I use my valid out-of-state license to start working in Colorado?

Do I need transcripts from every college and university that I have attended?

I completed my program in a foreign country. Do you want official transcripts from my country?

What teaching endorsement areas will transfer from my out-of-state credential to my Colorado license?

Do I need to get the Verification of Program Completion Form completed?

What tests will I be required to complete? Will you accept my out-of-state test scores?

Can I use my fingerprint report from out-of-state or do I have to be fingerprinted again?

Will I be required to take any additional coursework?

May I apply for a license if I have not met the testing requirements yet?

How do I find a position in Colorado?

1. Can I use my valid out-of-state license to start working in Colorado?

No, out-of-state educator licenses cannot be used in Colorado. You must submit an application for licensure in Colorado and be issued a valid Colorado license prior to working in Colorado schools.

2. Do I need transcripts from every college or university that I have attended?

Yes, you must submit official transcripts from every college or university that you've attended.

3. I completed my program in a foreign country. Do you want official transcripts from my country?

Except for transcripts (in English) from Canadian universities, Colorado does not determine degree, credit, or program equivalencies earned outside the United States. Instead, you must request a course-by-course equivalency evaluation from a current NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) member. This equivalency evaluation will take the place of official transcripts.

4. What teaching endorsement areas will transfer from my out-of-state credential to my Colorado license?

Colorado is an approved program state. You initially will be endorsed in the approved-program area(s) completed at your out-of-state college/university or through your out-of-state alternative program. Any additional content areas must be added via an added endorsement application.

5. Do I need to get the Verification of Program Completion Form completed?

If you have completed an approved program, that included student teaching, then the Verification of Program Completion Form must be completed by the Dean, Certification Officer at your college or university or by the designated alternative program representative.

This form does not need to be completed if you are an out-of-country applicant.

6. What tests will I be required to complete? Will you accept my out-of-state test scores?

You may be exempt from content assessment tests if you have three or more years of verified successful full-time teaching experience. Substitute teaching does not apply to these three or more years.

If a content test is required, you will be notified by the Educator Licensing Office. We accept PLACE content tests or the following Praxis content knowledge test scores: Audiology, Elementary Education, English Language Arts, Mathematics, General Science, School Psychologist, Social Studies, and Speech-Language Pathology. Please check that the test for which you are registering is approved by the state of Colorado.

7. Can I use my fingerprint report from out-of-state or do I have to be fingerprinted again?

First time applicants to the State of Colorado must submit fingerprints specifically for the Colorado Department of Education pursuant to the Educator Licensing Act.

8. Will I be required to take any additional coursework?

Colorado does not require any additional coursework if you have met the educator preparation program requirements in the state in which you are presently licensed.

9. May I apply for a license if I have not met the testing requirements yet?

Yes, you may apply for licensure prior to passing the required PLACE or Praxis exam if you are an out-of-state graduate. If you meet all other requirements for licensure, you may submit an application for an initial license and in turn receive an Interim Authorization, which is valid for one year and will allow you to teach while you also prepare for and take the relevant content exam. All Special Service Providers, however, must have passed their professional license exam completed prior to submitting an Initial License application.

10. How do I find a position in Colorado?

School staffing is the responsibility of each Colorado school district. Please contact districts directly regarding job openings. You can view districts based on region by selecting links on the Colorado School District Regional Map. Job openings are also regularly posted through Teachers-Teachers.com. See the Jobs for Teachers page for more information.

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