Add Endorsement to an Initial or Professional Administrator License

Preparing to Apply

This checklist is for ...

Colorado administrator license-holders wishing to add an administrator, director of special education or a director of gifted educator endorsement to their active initial or professional license

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Qualifications:

Completion of the degree and program required for the requested specialty at a regionally accredited college or university:
- For administrators:
  - an earned bachelor's or higher degree
  - completion of an approved program for the preparation of district-level administrators
- For directors of special education:
  - an earned master's degree in special education (or its equivalent (such as school psychologist) as determined by CDE upon application)
  - completion of an approved program for the preparation of district-level directors of special education
    - individuals who hold a master's degree in special education may also complete an approved administrator program and fulfill this requirement
- For directors of gifted education:
  - an earned master's degree in gifted education
  - completion of an approved program for the preparation of district-level directors of gifted education or district-level administrators
A passing score on the Colorado State Board of Education-approved PRAXIS 6991 exam.

Plan Ahead

You will need electronic copies of all requested documentation.
Allow ample time to request any third-party transcripts or other documentation.

Application Fee:

$ 80

Gather the Necessary Information/Documentation

In the application you will need to include the following:

A valid form of government-issued identification.
The documentation needed for the endorsement requested, to include one or more of the following:
- Copies of official transcripts reflecting the degree or completed coursework, verification letters from employers and/or professional development certificates of completion
- A verification form completed by the certification officer or registrar of the college/university at which you completed your program.
- A copy of the official score report for the PRAXIS 6991 exam
Updated work experience.
Documentation for any self-disclosures related to the following:
- Prior criminal history
- Disciplinary actions
- Issues related to licensure or employment

Then ...

Log in to COOL
Ensure you have a current background check on file. You have 30 days from the time CDE receives your background check to apply for a license.
- If you have submitted fingerprints for CDE credentialing in the past, but allowed all credentials to lapse or did not submit within the 30-day window, you must submit a new set of fingerprints to CBI for licensure purposes.
- The status of your background checks will be noticed in your COOL account and within your application(s).

Have everything ready to go?

When you have gathered all required documentation,* have submitted fingerprints to CBI for CDE licensure purposes and have reviewed the licensure process, log in to COOL and select the "add endorsement" button in the ADMINISTRATOR credential details section of your dashboard.

*Once submitted in an application, this information will automatically populate your COOL account profile and any applicable subsequent applications. Similarly, updating/uploading information in your COOL profile likewise will pre-populate future applications.

Final Reminders

At the risk of repeating ourselves, we again reiterate these important reminders:

You have 30 days from the time CDE receives your background checks to submit an application or you will need to submit a new set of fingerprints for licensure purposes at the time of application.
By submitting an application, you are verifying that you have submitted fingerprints for CDE licensure purposes, provided all requested documentation and answered all questions truthfully.
Within 45 days of receipt (usually far sooner!), CDE will evaluate the application.
- Upon determination of qualification, CDE will notify the applicant and the corresponding certificate will be available for view or print in the individual's COOL account.
Should the application be found incomplete, CDE will notify the applicant via email and specify the information needed to complete it. This includes notification that we have yet to receive your background checks!
- An applicant has 60 days from the date of this notification to cure the deficiency (i.e., provide the necessary information or submit background checks) or submit to the department a written request for reconsideration stating the basis for the request. Additional time is not granted to those who receive this notification due to background checks. Any additional deficiency noticed also will need to be cured within the original 60-day period.
  - Requests for reconsideration do not apply to background checks.
  - CDE will provide a written response within 30 days of any request for reconsideration.
- An applicant who fails to cure the deficiency or request reconsideration within these 60 days will be deemed as having withdrawn the application, and such withdrawal shall not be subject to appeal or review.
State statute prohibits the refunding of any application evaluation fee.
Once you have submitted an application, check your status regularly for notifications, updates and/or to print a copy of your certificate.

APPLY / LOG IN TO COOL

Questions? Email CDELicensing@cde.state.co.us or call 303-866-6628.