1 Colo. Code Regs. § 301-37-2.00

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 22, November 25, 2024

Section 1 CCR 301-37-2.00 - General Licensing Regulations

The Colorado Department of Education has the sole authority to issue educator licenses and authorizations. Pursuant to sections 22-63-201 and 22-32-126, C.R.S., a Colorado license or authorization is required for employment as a teacher, special services provider, or principal in a Colorado school or school district. All licenses and authorizations must be endorsed to indicate the gradelevels/developmental levels and specialization area(s) which are appropriate to the applicant's preparation, training, and experience.

2.01Definitions

2.01(1) Accepted institution of higher education: An institution of higher education that offers at least the standard bachelor's degree and is recognized by one of the following regional associations: Western Association of Schools and Colleges; Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; Higher Learning Commission; New England Commission of Higher Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; or Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

2.01(2) Administrator: Any person who may or may not be licensed, but who administers, directs or supervises an education instructional or education-related program, or a portion thereof, in any school or school district, or nonpublic school in the state and who is not the chief executive officer or an assistant chief executive officer of such school.

2.01(3) Alternative principal: Any person employed as the chief executive officer or an assistant chief executive officer of any school in the state to administer, direct or supervise the education instruction program in such school or nonpublic school under a principal authorization and is actively participating in an alternative principal program or an individualized alternative principal program.

2.01(4) Alternative principal program: a program of study provided by a designated agency, as described in section 22-60.5-305.5(6), C.R.S., for principal preparation designed to provide the information, experience, and training to enable participants to develop the skills and obtain experience and training comparable to that possessed by a person who qualifies for an initial principal license.

2.01(5) Alternative teacher contract: A one- or two-year contract, as described in section 22-60.5-207 C.R.S., entered into by a holder of an alternative teacher license pursuant to section 22-60.5-201(1)(a), C.R.S., or an interim authorization pursuant to 22-60.5-111(7), C.R.S., and a school district, board of cooperative services, nonpublic school, or charter school that provides or participates in, a one-year or two-year alternative teacher program.

2.01(6) Alternative teacher program: A one-year or two-year program of study and training for teacher preparation for a person of demonstrated knowledge and ability who holds an alternative teacher license or an interim authorization. An alternative teacher program must meet the standards of and obtain the approval of the state board of education and, upon completion, lead to are commendation for licensure by the designated agency providing the alternative teacher program.

2.01(7) Alternative teacher support team: A team established by the designated agency for each holder of an alternative teacher license or an interim authorization pursuant to 22-60.5-111(7), C.R.S., employed as an alternative teacher. At a minimum, each alternative teacher support team must be composed of the alternative teacher's mentor, the building principal and a representative of the approved designated agency.

2.01(8) Alternative teacher: Any person employed to instruct students in any public or nonpublic school in the state under an alternative teacher license or interim authorization pursuant to 22-60.5-111(7) and actively participating in an alternative teacher program.

2.01(9) Approved content tests: assessments approved by the State Board of Education for the purpose of evaluating the required subject matter knowledge and skills for a license, authorization, and/or endorsement.

2.01(10) Approved induction program: A program of continuing professional development for initial license-holders that meets the requirements of and is approved by the State Board of Education, and that upon completion leads to a recommendation for a professional license by the school district or districts, charter school, nonpublic school, or the institute providing such induction program.

2.01(11) Approved program of educator preparation: A program of study for the preparation of educators, approved by the State Board of Education, that prepares educator candidates to meet the quality standards established pursuant to section 22-9-105.5 (10), C.R.S. and the requirements for licensure endorsement(s) adopted by state board rule pursuant to section 22-60.5-106, C.R.S. and which, upon completion, leads to a recommendation for licensure.

2.01(12) Board of Cooperative Services (BOCES): A regional educational service unit designed to provide supporting, instructional, administrative, facility, community or any other services contracted by participating members.

2.01(13) Board of education: The governing body authorized by law to administer the affairs of any school district in the state except junior and community college districts. "Board of education" also includes a BOCES organized pursuant to section 22-5-101, C.R.S.2.01(14) Charter school: A school authorized by a school district pursuant to Part 1 of Article 30.5 of Title 22 or a school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to Part 5 of Article 30.5 of Title 22.

2.01(14) Colorado Academic Standards: The state academic standards that identify the knowledge and skills that a student should acquire as the student progresses from preschool through elementary and secondary education, as adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to section 22-7-1005, C.R.S. The Colorado Academic Standards are available at www.cde.state.co.us.

2.01(15) Colorado Teacher of the Year: The Colorado teacher selected as Teacher of the Year in the state program administered by the Department and coordinated through the national teacher of the year program.

2.01(16) Critical teacher shortage: A grade level or content area in which a local education provider (LEP) determines there is a severe need and impact on students and in which an LEP has been unable to place an appropriately licensed teacher in the vacant position(s) despite reasonable attempts to fill the position.

2.01(17) Department of Education or Department: The Colorado State Department of Education (CDE) as defined in section 24-1-115, C.R.S.

2.01(18) Designated agency: A school district or districts, a BOCES, an accepted institution of higher education, a nonprofit organization, a charter school, nonpublic school, the institute or any combination there of that is responsible for the organization, management and operation of an alternative teacher program or an alternative principal program.

2.01(19) Diversity: The backgrounds of all students and school personnel.

2.01(20) Endorsement: The designation on a license or an authorization of grade level(s) or developmental level(s), subject matter, or service specialization in accordance with the preparation, training and experience of the holder of such license or authorization. Endorsements typically reflect major are as of specialization.

2.01(21) Field-based experiences: Experiences conducted at a school site, school administration center, school clinic, or community agency. These experiences may include classroom observations; tutoring; assisting school principals, administrators, teachers or special services providers; participation in school- and community-wide activities; student teaching or internships.

2.01(22) Individualized alternative principal program: Created in collaboration between a school district, charter school, the institute, or nonpublic school and an individual identified as requiring principal preparation, it is a plan of preparation that aligns to the Principal Quality Standards in section 6.00 of these rules and comprises coursework, practicums and other educational requirements the individual will complete while serving as a principal or assistant principal under a principal authorization in the collaborating school district, charter school, the institute or nonpublic school.

2.01(23) Institute: The state charter school institute created pursuant to section 22-30.5-503, C.R.S.

2.01(24) Licensure: The official recognition by a state governmental agency that an individual has met state-mandated minimum requirements and is approved to practice as a duly certified/licensed educator in the state.

2.01(25) Local education provider (LEP): A school district, a charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to Part 1 of Article 30.5 of Title 22, C.R.S., a charter school authorized by the State Charter School Institute pursuant to Part 5 of Article 30.5 of Title 22, C.R.S., or a BOCES created and operating pursuant to Article 5 of Title 22, C.R.S. that operates a public school.

2.01(26) Mentor administrator: Any administrator who is designated by a school district or districts, charter school, nonpublic school, or the institute providing an approved induction program for initial administrator license-holders, who has demonstrated outstanding administrative skills and school leadership and who can provide exemplary modeling and counseling to initial administrator license-holders participating in an approved induction program.

2.01(27) Mentor principal: Any principal who is designated by a school district or districts, charter school, nonpublic school, or the institute providing an approved induction program for initial principal license-holders, who has demonstrated outstanding principal skills and school leadership and who can provide exemplary modeling and counseling to initial principal license-holders participating in an approved induction program.

2.01(28) Mentor special services provider: Any special services provider who is designated by a school district or districts, charter school, nonpublic school, or the institute providing an approved induction program for initial special services license-holders, who has demonstrated out standing special services provider skills and school leadership and who can provide exemplary modeling and counseling to initial special services license-holders participating in an approved induction program.

2.01(29) Mentor teacher:

A teacher who holds a professional license designated by a school district, charter school or nonpublic school, who has demonstrated outstanding teaching and school leadership and who can provide exemplary modeling and counseling to novice teachers.

2.01(30) Nonpublic School: Any independent or parochial school that provides a basic academic education. Neither the State Board of Education nor any local school board has jurisdiction over the internal affairs of any independent or parochial school in Colorado.

2.01(31) Practicum: An intensive experience in which candidates practice and demonstrate professional skills and knowledge. Student teaching and internships are examples of a practicum.

2.01(32) Principal: Any person who is employed as the chief executive officer or an assistant chief executive officer of any school in the state and who administers, directs or supervises the education instruction program in such school or nonpublic school.

2.01(33) Qualified licensed teacher: An individual who holds a valid Colorado teaching license in the grade level and subject endorsement area(s) in which that individual teaches or will teach.

2.01(34) Rural school district: A school district in Colorado that the Department determines is rural, based on the district's geographic size and its distance from the nearest large, urbanized area, with a total student enrollment of 6, 500 students or fewer students.

2.01(35) School: Any of the public schools of the state.

2.01(36) School district: Any school district organized and existing pursuant to law, but not including junior or community college districts. "School district" includes a BOCES organized pursuant to 22-5-101, C.R.S.

2.01(37) Special services provider: Any person other than a teacher, principal or administrator who is employed by any school district, charter school, nonpublic school or the institute to provide professional services to students in direct support of the education instructional program.

2.01(38) Specialization area: The sequence of courses and experiences in the academic or professional area that the candidate plans to teach, for the grade level(s) or developmental level(s) at which the candidate plans to teach, and/or for the services that the candidate plans to provide. Examples of specialty areas include science (grades 7-12), elementary education (grades K-6), early childhood education (ages birth-8), reading specialist (grades K-12) and physical education (grades K-12).,

2.01(39) State Board of Education: The Colorado State Board of Education established by section 1 of Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Colorado.

2.01(40) Student teaching: Part of the field or clinical experience required in a teacher preparation program as specified in 11.02 of these rules, that is an in-depth, direct teaching experience conducted in a school and classroom setting. It is considered a culminating field-based experience for the basic teacher preparation program where candidates practice and demonstrate professional skills and knowledge.

2.01(41) Teacher: Any person employed to instruct students in any public or nonpublic school in the state.

2.01(42) Teacher apprentice: a person who is registered and enrolled in a state-approved teacher degree apprenticeship program (pursuant to section 22-60.5-111.5, C.R.S.), is enrolled in an affiliated bachelor's degree program from an accredited institution, and holds a teacher apprenticeship authorization pursuant to section 22-60.5-111(16), C.R.S.

2.01(43) Teacher of record: A person licensed pursuant to section 22-60.5-201(1) (a.5), C.R.S.

2.02Validity of certificates/license.

2.02(1) Certificates and letters of authorization issued by the Department prior to July 1, 1994, must remain valid for the period for which they were issued.

2.02(2) Endorsements placed on teacher or special services certificates prior to July 1, 1994, which were based on major areas of specialization or experience and academic credit, may be issued on subsequent teacher or special services license renewals provided all renewal requirements specified in section 7.00 of these rules have been met.

2.02(3) Certificates, licenses and authorizations which have expired are not valid unless the applicant has a complete and active application on file with the Department before the expiration date identified on the applicant's current and active educator license, certificate or authorization.

2.03General Requirements for Colorado Licenses

2.03(1) Degree. Each applicant for a Colorado license must hold the appropriate academic degree for the license and/or endorsement sought from an accepted institution of higher education.

2.03(1)(a) It will be determined that an applicant "holds" or "has been awarded" the bachelor's or higher degree when the registrar of the accepted institution of higher education certifies that the applicant has met all institutional requirements for graduation with the degree, whether or not the degree has been conferred upon the applicant in formal ceremonies or otherwise conveyed to the individual.

2.03(1)(b) The Department and accepted institutions of higher education may recognize credits and degrees earned in foreign institutions of higher education if, after appropriate evaluation by an established credentials evaluation service as selected by the Department, there is evidence that such credits and degrees are the equivalent of those approved as fulfilling the specific license requirements.

2.03(2) Approved program of preparation. An initial license may be issued upon satisfactory completion of an approved program of preparation, an alternative teacher program, an alternative principal program, an individualized alternative principal program, an approved Colorado teacher degree apprenticeship program or an out-of-state educator preparation program approved or authorized by a state other than Colorado as defined in section 2.03(3)(b) of these rules, and upon demonstration of required competencies as specified in these rules and in 1 CCR 301-101 Rules for the Administration of Educator License Endorsements. Applicants who completed an approved program in a state other than Colorado must meet the requirements in section 2.03(3) of these rules.

2.03(3) Out-of-state applicants. An initial license may be issued to an applicant from another state or country whose qualifications meet or exceed the requirements of the State Board of Education and who has met the following requirements:

2.03(3)(a) has completed the appropriate degree, experiences and educational level for the license and endorsement(s) requested as specified in these rules;

2.03(3)(b) has successfully completed an educator preparation program approved or authorized by a state other than Colorado, including a program at an accepted institution of higher education in the endorsement area sought or another educator preparation program, including an alternative teacher preparation program;

2.03(3)(c) has successfully completed a clinical experience that meets or exceeds Colorado's field-based experience requirement as specified in 11.02 of these rules;

2.03(3)(d) holds a standard license issued by the state education agency of another state or country, is eligible to hold a standard license issued by the state education agency of the preparing state, or meets the official requirements of the legally designated licensing agency of the preparing state; and

2.03(3)(e) has demonstrated professional competencies and depth of content knowledge appropriate to the license and endorsement requested.

2.03(4) An out-of-state applicant must meet the subject matter knowledge requirements for every endorsement sought by demonstrating professional competencies and depth of content knowledge for each endorsement or by providing evidence of completion of three or more years of successful full-time, fully licensed, evaluated, post-preparation experience in the endorsement area(s) sought within the previous seven years as a teacher, special services provider, principal or administrator in an established elementary or secondary school in another state or country.

2.03(4)(a) Applicants who satisfy the requirements of sections 2.03(3)(a)-(d) but not 2.03(3)(e) may be eligible for an interim authorization as provided in section 4.09 of these rules.

2.03(4)(b) Applicants who satisfy the requirements in sections 2.03(3)(a)-(d) but not 2.03(3)(e) and who provide evidence of completion of three or more years of successful full-time, fully licensed, evaluated post-preparation experience within the previous seven years as a teacher, special services provider, principal, or administrator in an established elementary or secondary school in another state or country, may be eligible for a Colorado professional license.

2.03(5) The State Board of Education may enter into interstate reciprocal agreements whereby the Department agrees to issue initial licenses to persons licensed in other states and such states agree to issue licenses to Colorado license-holders. Such agreements must not be in consistent with section 2.03(3) of these rules.

2.03(6) Pursuant to section 22-60.5-201(3)(c), C.R.S., the state board may annually designate teacher shortage areas and modify the requirements in sections 4.00 and 5.00 of 1 CCR 301-101 for licensure and endorsement in such shortage areas for the purpose of issuing initial teacher licenses or interim authorizations as outlined in these rules to applicants.

2.03(7) Pursuant to section 22-60.5-201 (3.5), C.R.S., the Department may issue professional teacher licenses to applicants who have earned and present certificates issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

2.04Application Procedures

2.04(1) Prior to submitting to the Department an application for a license, authorization, or endorsement, or for the renewal of a license or authorization, the applicant must submit to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a complete set of his or her fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency, an authorized employee of a school district or BOCES using fingerprinting equipment that meets the Federal Bureau of Investigation image quality standards, or any third party approved by the CBI for the purpose of obtaining a criminal history record check, and any fingerprint processing fee(s).

2.04(1)(a) The applicant must give his or her social security number, if any, to the CBI and must indicate to the CBI that the criminal history is to be forwarded to the Department.

2.04(1)(a)(i) If an individual submits an application or renewal application after the expiration of a credential, the individual must submit a new, complete set of finger prints to the CBI.

2.04(1)(a)(ii) If an applicant previously submitted a complete set of fingerprints to the CBI pursuant to section 22-2-119.3, C.R.S., the individual need not submit a new set of fingerprints unless:

(1) he or she has not continuously resided in Colorado for more than one full year;

(2) he or she submits an application or renewal application after the expiration of a credential from the Department; or

(3) the individual has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, other than a misdemeanor traffic offense or traffic infraction, subsequent to the educator's licensure or authorization.

2.04(2) An applicant must submit a complete application to the Department via its online system, which includes all required information and documentation as set forth in these rules, the application form, and any other application instructions published by the Department on its website. Required information and documentation includes that which the applicant is responsible for submitting and any other information and documentation that may be required from other sources to support the application, including but not limited to the following:

2.04(2)(a) The applicant must provide official transcripts showing conferral of the degree required for the license and endorsement sought:

2.04(2)(a)(i) Each transcript must be authentic, original or photocopy, bearing the printed or embossed seal of the institution and the signature of the registrar, and include descriptive titles, course numbers, credits and grades for each course listed and degrees conferred, if any. For the purpose of these rules, credits must be in semester hours. Quarter, trimester, unit or term credits will be converted to semester hours at the time of evaluation. Submission of an incomplete, unofficial or illegible transcript will render an application incomplete.

2.04(2)(a)(ii) Transcripts from institutions of higher education outside the United States must be evaluated by an established credential evaluation service, selected by the Department, for course equivalence.

2.04(2)(a)(iii) Copies of official transcripts submitted with an application become part of the applicant's record with the Department and are not returnable.

2.04(2)(b) The applicant must provide an institutional recommendation from the educator preparation program, appropriate to the license sought and on the Department's program verification form, which at a minimum confirms: the date of completion of an educator preparation program; endorsement area(s) and grade level(s); completion of student teaching, clinical experience or practicum; that the applicant holds or is eligible to hold a license in the preparing state or territory; and any additional information requested on the Department form.

2.04(2)(b)(i) The recommendation must certify that the applicant completed the educator preparation program in a satisfactory manner and is in good standing; and

2.04(2)(b)(ii) The recommendation must indicate the subject and level or grades of student teaching, the number of hours of field-based experience performed, and the area of recommended endorsement as defined in 1 CCR 301-101 Rules for the Administration of Educator License Endorsements.

2.04(2)(b)(iii) An individual applying for an initial license or professional license for the first time who holds a valid license or certificate in another state and demonstrates three or more years of successful full-time, evaluated, fully licensed teaching experience (post completion of an educator preparation program) within the previous seven years may be exempt from the institutional recommendation requirement.

2.04(2)(c) When demonstrating professional competencies and depth of content knowledge by approved content test(s), the applicant must provide a copy of the official test score report(s). Submission of a score report for a test not approved by the state board at the time of application will render the application incomplete. When demonstrating professional competencies and depth of content knowledge by portfolio submission, achievement of sufficiently high education course work grades, or a combination of methods, failure to submit the documentation or other evidence required by state board rule for the license sought will render the application incomplete.

2.04(2)(d) Out-of-state applicants must include a copy of any and all educator credentials held (valid or expired) in other states or territories.

2.04(2)(e) The applicant must submit the following to verify their identity:

2.04(2)(e)(i) the applicant's name and mailing address; and

2.04(2)(e)(ii) applicant's social security number, or if unavailable, the individual taxpayer identification number, or one of the following documents verifying the applicant's identity: a clear copy of one of the following forms of government-issued photo identification: a valid passport or passport card; a valid driver's license from any state; an identification card or document from any state; a United States military card or a military dependent identification card; a United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card; or a Native American tribal document.

2.04(2)(f) The applicant must submit a complete and accurate response, including but not limited to every required disclosure, form and supporting document, to every applicable section of the online application and attest that all information submitted is true and complete to the best of the applicant's knowledge.

2.04(3) The fee for the evaluation and review of an application is established by the State Board of Education and shall be nonrefundable.

2.04(4) In any application for licensure, the applicant must indicate all endorsements sought and pay the established fees for the requested endorsement(s) at the time of submission of the application. If an applicant fails to indicate an endorsement(s) sought in a license application and subsequently seeks an endorsement, the Department will not consider the endorsement request until the applicant submits a complete added endorsement application and all required fees.

2.04(5) An application is deemed complete when all required information, documentation and fees are received by the Department. An application that fails to include required information, documentation or fees will be deemed incomplete. Within 45 days of submission of an application, applicants will be notified if their application is incomplete. An applicant whose application is deemed incomplete may cure the deficiency or submit to the Department a written request for reconsideration which states the basis for reconsideration. An applicant who fails to cure the deficiency or request reconsideration within 60 days of notification will be deemed to have withdrawn the application and such withdrawal shall not be subject to appeal or review. The Department will issue a written determination to an applicant in response to any request for reconsideration within 30 days of its receipt of the request.

2.04(6) Applications that are initiated in the Department's online system but not submitted will be closed and deemed withdrawn 14 days after initiation. Such closed and withdrawn applications shall not be subject to appeal or review.

2.04(7) The Department will promptly act upon complete applications. The Department may require additional information and documentation from an applicant to determine compliance with applicable laws and rules or to verify any information and documentation submitted.

1 CCR 301-37-2.00

41 CR 14, July 25, 2018, effective 8/14/2018

42 CR 09, May 10, 2019, effective 5/30/2019

43 CR 13, July 10, 2020, effective 7/30/2020

44 CR 07, April 10, 2021, effective 4/30/2021

44 CR 23, December 10, 2021, effective 12/30/2021

45 CR 21, November 10, 2022, effective 11/30/2022

46 CR 11, June 10, 2023, effective 6/30/2023

47 CR 09, May 10, 2024, effective 5/30/2024

47 CR 21, November 10, 2024, effective 11/30/2024