Colorado Teacher Endorsement Requirements

• bachelor's or higher degree in math; or
• 24 semester hours of coursework as identified on the secondary math endorsement worksheet; or
• Praxis 5165 (159)
  • Praxis 5161 (152) also accepted if taken between 09.01.2016 and 08.31.2022; accepted thru 08.31.2027

• bachelor's or higher degree in music; or
• 24 semester hours of coursework as identified on the music endorsement worksheet; or
• Praxis 5113 (161)

• bachelor's or higher degree in physical education; or
• 24 semester hours of coursework as identified on the PE endorsement worksheet; or
• Praxis 5091 (148)

• bachelor's or higher degree in any of the sciences identified on the science endorsement worksheet; or
• 24 semester hours of coursework as identified on the endorsement worksheet; or
• Praxis 5436 (141)
  • Praxis 5435 (152) also accepted if taken before 08.31.2023; accepted thru 08.31.2028

• bachelor's or higher degree in social studies, history or political science; or
• 24 semester hours of coursework as identified on the social studies endorsement worksheet; or
• Praxis 5581 (153)
  • 5081 (150) accepted until 08.31.2030.

• completion of an approved program for the preparation of special education generalists from a regionally accredited college or university or 24 semester hours as identified on the SpEd Gen added endorsement worksheet; and
• passing score on each content exam below:
  • Praxis 5355 (145) or an approved Multiple Measures submission for Foundations of Special Education 
    •  5354 (151) accepted until 08.31.2029
  • Praxis 5903 (157) elementary math or an approved Multiple Measures submission for Elementary Math 
    • may be waived with a valid Colorado teacher license/elementary endorsement)
    • 5003 (157) accepted until 08.31.2026
  • Praxis 5205 (159) or an approved Multiple Measures submission for Teaching Reading

• master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution in special education deaf/hard-of-hearing or its equivalent, as determined by the department; and
• completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for special education specialists: deaf/hard-of-hearing that includes prescribed field experience requirements.

• master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution in special education visual impairment or its equivalent, as determined by the department; and
• completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for special education specialists: visually impaired that includes prescribed field experience requirements.

• bachelor's or higher degree in technology education (industrial arts); or
• 24 semester hours of coursework as identified on the technology education endorsement worksheet; or
• Praxis 5053 (157)
  • 5051 (159) also accepted until 08.31.2030.

• bachelor's or higher degree in fine art/visual arts (with emphasis on studio arts); or
• 24 semester hours of coursework as identified on the visual arts endorsement worksheet; or
• Praxis 5135 (158)

American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish only

• bachelor's or higher degree in the identified world language; or
• 24 semester hours of coursework in the world language as identified on the world languages endorsement worksheet; or
  • for French -  Praxis 5174 (162)
  • for German -  Praxis 5183 (163)
  • for Japanese - Praxis 5661 (156)
  • for Latin - Praxis 5601 (152)
  • for Mandarin Chinese - Praxis 5665 (164)
  • for Russian - Praxis 5671 (130)
  • for Spanish - Praxis 5195 (163)
• Exams not available for ASL or Italian

• hold an earned master's or higher degree in gifted education from an accepted institution of higher education (must be different than that which qualified for the gifted core endorsement); 
• holds a Colorado teacher license with a gifted core endorsement; 
• has completed an approved preparation program for gifted education specialists

• must hold a valid Colorado teacher license with an elementary education (grades K-6), middle school mathematics (grades 6-8) or mathematics (grades 6-12) endorsement; and
• three years' full-time, demonstrated classroom experience as an elementary, middle school math or secondary math teacher; and
• completion of an approved preparation program for mathematics specialists, which includes a supervised practicum or internship as a mathematics specialist.

• must hold a valid Colorado professional teacher license
• completion of a CDE-approved mentor teacher training program, including a minimum of one full school year of successful service as a mentor teacher for a teacher candidate participating in clinical practice

• must hold a valid Colorado teacher license; and
• three or more years' full-time licensed teaching experience; and
• completion of a master's degree in reading and an approved graduate program from a regionally accredited institution for reading specialists which includes a supervised practicum or internship as a reading specialist.
• must be knowledgeable about research-based literacy instruction as outlined in rule 4.02(5)-4.02(13) and the Colorado Academic Standards in reading, writing and communicating
• programs completed outside Colorado will be evaluated against Colorado standards; the Praxis 5302 may be required to demonstrate content knowledge and competency

• must hold a valid Colorado teacher license; and
• completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution in library science, media science or similar area, including a supervised practicum or internship which includes both elementary and secondary school library experience.
• programs completed outside Colorado will be evaluated against Colorado standards; the Praxis 5312 may be required to demonstrate content knowledge and competency

• Discontinued May 30, 2019.
• Qualifying renewing license-holders will receive the business/marketing combined endorsement.

• Discontinued Nov. 30, 2022.
• See reading specialist above.

• Discontinued March 30, 2016.
• See teacher librarian above.

• Discontinued May 30, 2024.
• See special education generalist above.

• Discontinued Nov. 30, 2022.
• See English language arts above.

• Discontinued Nov. 13, 2019.
• See either business/marketing above or a related CTE authorization.