Colorado Teaching License – Initial License
You can apply for an initial Colorado teaching license if you have completed a teacher preparation program and you meet these requirements:
- complete an approved educator preparation program
- hold a degree from an accredited college or university
- undergo a criminal background check, including fingerprinting, for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Colorado Teaching License – Testing
To begin your degree program, you may need to take the PLACE Test.
“PLACE” stands for Program for Licensing for Colorado Educators.
Many colleges and universities recommend that education students take this exam.
Colorado Teaching License – What is on the PLACE?
The PLACE exam determines if you have the basic skills to be an educator in Colorado schools.
The Basic Skills test has three parts: reading, writing, and mathematics.
The reading and the math parts of the Basic Skills test contain multiple-choice questions.
The writing section includes multiple-choice questions and an essay.
The tests are based on the educational curriculum and Colorado teacher licensing standards.
Study guides are available on the Study Guide link on the PLACE website.
Program for Licensing for Colorado Educators – PLACE Teacher Certification Test
Colorado Teaching License – Other Requirements
If you are from from another state or country, you need to have completed an approved educator preparation program.
Out-of-state teachers must also be eligible for a license in their home state.
There may be additional requirements for some licenses.
You can have a look at the summary of license requirements at the link listed below.
The summaries show the requirements found in the Colorado State Board of Education Educator Licensing Act.
Colorado Department of Education – Licensing Requirements
NOTE: The Program for Licensing for Colorado Educators (PLACE) is a registered trademark of NESINC Pearson Education. This webpage is not endorsed by NESINC, the PLACE examination, or the Colorado Department of Education.