Colorado Teacher Licensure

Learn more about alternative teacher certification and teacher licensure requirements in Colorado.

We encourage you to begin completing your renewal requirements one to two years before your license expires to help prevent any impact on your employment. If you have questions about your licensure or renewal requirements, please contact your credentialing consultant.

Alternative Teacher Certification

The alternative teacher pathway allows districts to hire individuals to serve as a teacher while completing the necessary teacher preparation based on the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards. Alternative teacher preparation programs vary in length from one to two years (though special education generalist candidates may take a third year, if necessary). While serving as a teacher, alternative candidates put what they learn into practice immediately.

For more information on Interim and Alternative Authorization licensure, please see the CDE’s Alternative Teacher License/Alternative Interim Authorization web page.

Requirements for Licensure

To qualify for an alternative certification, each candidate must:

Hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
Be enrolled in an approved Colorado alternative teacher program.
Complete and submit an alternative teacher application to request either a Colorado Alternative Teacher License or an Interim Authorization issued specifically for alternative teacher preparation.