Colorado Teaching License Renewal Requirements

<p>The state of Colorado offers three types of teaching licenses: initial, professional, and master. Each license has a set validity period, along with criteria for maintaining an active license. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Required Degree</b></td><td>Bachelor's degree</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Required Degree Field</b></td><td>Education</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Required Tests</b></td><td>Praxis content area assessment for desired area of certification</td></tr> <tr><td><b>License Renewal Period</b></td><td>Three years for the initial certificate<br />Five years for the professional certificate<br />Seven years for the master certificate</td></tr> <tr><td><b>License Renewal Requirements</b></td><td>Initial certificate can be upgraded after teachers complete an approved induction program<br />Teachers need either 6 credits or 90 clock hours to renew professional certificate</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Average Salary for Teachers in Colorado (2018)*</b></td><td>$53,400 (Middle School Teachers)<br />$55,110 (High School Teachers)</td></tr> <tr><td><b> Job Outlook for Teachers Nationally (2016-2026)*</b></td><td>7% (Elementary School Teachers)<br />8% (Middle School Teachers)<br />8% (High School Teachers)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p> <h3 id="section---BasicCertificationRequirements">Basic Certification Requirements</h3> <p>Teachers will need a bachelor's degree that was earned through an approved educator preparation program. The preparation program should include a student teaching assignment. The state of Colorado requires that all teaching candidates earn passing scores on a Praxis content assessment exam for their desired area of licensure. Colorado also requires that candidates pass a criminal background check from the Colorado State Bureau of Investigation. Once approved, teachers will not need an additional background check for renewal unless they let their license lapse. </p> <h3 id="section---InitialTeachingCertificateRenewalRequirements">Initial Teaching Certificate Renewal Requirements</h3> <p>An initial teaching certificate is good for three years. During this time, teachers should complete an approved induction program where they are assigned a mentoring teacher and receive additional training. Teachers who have not completed their induction program will be able to renew their initial teaching certificate. The renewal process only involves an application, processing fee, and an explanation of why the induction program was not completed. The initial teaching certificate can be renewed more than once. </p> <h3 id="section---ProfessionalTeachingCertificateRenewalRequirements">Professional Teaching Certificate Renewal Requirements</h3> <p>The professional teaching certificate is valid for five years and requires renewal credits. The state of Colorado requires that all teachers earn either 90 clock hours, 6 semester credits, or a combination of these two options. Teachers certified in elementary, English language arts, math, science, or social studies must earn 45 clock hours of culturally and linguistically diverse education training. Teachers with certificates earned prior to August 31, 2018, can renew it once before this requirement must be met. Those with certificates earned on September 1, 2018, or later must meet the requirement the next time they renew, which allows five years for completion. </p> <h3 id="section---MasterTeachingCertificateRenewalRequirements">Master Teaching Certificate Renewal Requirements</h3> <p>Teachers can apply for the master teaching certificate after receiving certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Interested teachers must possess three years of relevant work experience to apply for NBPTS certification. They will need to display advanced teaching methods, skills, and knowledge in their endorsement area by submitting three portfolios and passing a computer-based examination. Applicants can complete the certification process at their own pace; however, they must provide their three portfolios and pass the examination within three years of their initial application.</p>