Advancing from an Initial License to a Professional License

Checklist

Identification

• In most cases, additional fingerprinting is not required for this application.
  • If you already hold a valid, CDE-issued education credential and have consistently maintained an active credential (authorization or license) since you submitted your fingerprints, you can skip this step. We reserve the right to evaluate your application for adherence to the fingerprint requirements and will notify you by email should any follow-up be needed.
  • If you have submitted fingerprints for CDE credentialing in the past, but allowed all credentials to lapse and have held no active credential for a period exceeding 1 year, you must submit a new set of fingerprints.

  ( View Fingerprinting Instructions )

• Confirm you have a valid form of government-issued identification. 
  ( View List of Valid IDs )

Education

• Obtain a copy of your induction certificate.

Employment

• Within the application you must include employment history for at least the past 5 years.
  • Include employer/business name, dates of employment, reason for leaving, work addresses, supervisor names, and contact information.
  • Include teaching experience from more than 5 years ago, if you have it.

Self-Disclosure

• If applicable, obtain supporting documentation on the following:
  • Past criminal history
  • Disciplinary actions
  • Any issues related to licensure or employment

  ( View Self-Disclosure Requirements )

Register and Apply

Once you have gathered all of the information listed above, begin the online application process by logging in to your eLicensing account. Select the TEACHER application.

Log In

For questions, email CDELicensing@cde.state.co.us or call 303-866-6628.