Overview of Colorado Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Licensure

For initial licensure in Colorado, all candidates must:

• hold the appropriate degree for the license or endorsement program completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a degree earned at an equivalent foreign institution of higher education
• complete an approved educator preparation program
• pass an accepted subject area exam for their certification area, such as one of The Praxis Series™ tests
• submit the appropriate application forms and fees

Important Information

ETS is offering two additional tests in a computer-delivered format that will be introduced throughout the testing year. Visit Test Centers and Dates to find testing centers near you. The computer-delivered versions cover the same content as the paper-delivered versions and are scored on the same scale; however, the computer-delivered tests have different test codes.

• General Science: Content Knowledge (5435) — September 2012
• Speech-Language Pathology (5330) — December 2012

Out-of-State Applicants/Reciprocity

An applicant from another state or country may be issued a Colorado Initial License if their qualifications meet or exceed the requirements of the Colorado State Board of Education and they have met the following:

• completion of the appropriate degree from a regionally accredited institution with the experience and educational level for the license and endorsement requested
• completion of a state-approved program at a regionally accredited out-of-state institution in the endorsement area sought
  OR
  completion of other state-authorized educator preparation programs (Alternative Programs)
• eligibility for a standard certificate or license issued by the state education agency or other legally designated licensing agency of the preparing state
• evidence of satisfactory completion of the Colorado State Board of Education adopted assessments appropriate to the license requested

Who Must Take the Tests?

Praxis II® Subject Assessments

In-State Applicants

All candidates applying for initial licensure are required to have demonstrated professional competencies in subject areas as specified by rules and regulations of the Colorado State Board of Education by passing a content knowledge assessment in their subject area, pursuant to Section 22-60.5-203 C.R.S.

Out-of-State Applicants

If an applicant has or has held a standard educator license/certificate in another state and has had three or more years of full-time, consecutive, successful evaluated out-of-state experience in the requested licensing area, as verified by the out-of-state employing school or school district, an applicant will be exempt from taking a content knowledge assessment.

If an applicant is eligible for or has held a standard educator license/certificate in another state and has not had three or more years of full-time, consecutive, successful evaluated out-of-state experience in the requested licensing area, as verified by the out-of-state employing school or school district, an applicant will have to take a content knowledge assessment.

See also:

• About the Praxis™ Tests
• The Praxis Series Information Bulletin
• Prepare for a Test
• Register for a Test
• Alternate Route to Licensure
• Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities