Professional

License Renewal

The Educator Licensing System in Colorado is a process that upholds the importance of education and supports the concept of professionalism of all educators in the state. Educator professionalism starts with a collegial agreement on a set of Professional Standards. These Standards continue to provide the foundation for the on-going professional development of educators. The Licensing Act of 1991 established a system for teachers, administrators and principals to assure the public they are meeting the Standards by connecting documented professional development activities to the Professional Standards. The Licensure Amendment in 1997 further simplified the licensing procedure in Colorado. In 1999, a Performance Based Standards Bill was passed mandating changes in standards for licensing and teacher training. These changes became effective July 1, 2001.

·   Professional License renewal application process:

              1.   Completion of Professional License Renewal form; and

              2.   Documentation of 6 semester hours or its equivalent; and

3.  Submission of renewal fee.

·   Each Licensee shall choose professional development license renewal activities that will aid the licensee in meeting the Standards for a professional educator.

·   Educator license renewal credits must be related to your current endorsement area or potential endorsement area

·   Each Licensee shall successfully complete professional development activities such as: involvement in school and curriculum reform, service on state-wide educational boards and commissions, internships, supervision of student teachers or interns, educational travel, mentorships, advanced degrees, action research, college or university credit, district in-services, and other ongoing professional development or training.

·   Professional development activities can be completed without consultation with a supervisor. No more than 6 semester hours or 90 clock hours of activity (or combination of the two) are required. Employment is not required.

·   Professional development activities can be completed at any time during the five-year period of the license.

·   The Professional License is valid for five years and is renewable through documented completion of professional development activities.

 
Beginning March 1, 2004, each applicant for a Colorado educator license, authorization or endorsement, including the renewal of a license or authorization, is required to submit, at the time of application, a complete set of his or her fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency and a fingerprint processing fee, unless he or she previously submitted a complete set of his or her fingerprints to Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
 
 
An educator who applied for his or her initial Colorado educator license or authorization on or after January 1, 1991, already should have submitted a fingerprint card to CDE. An educator who applied for an initial Colorado Educator certificate or authorization before January 1, 1991 is unlikely to have submitted a fingerprint card to CDE and will be required to submit one directly to Colorado Bureau of Investigations as part of their next license renewal.
 
 

Any activity completed for Professional License renewal must relate to one or more of the following standards.

Standard One: Knowledge of Literacy

The teacher shall be knowledgeable about student literacy development in reading, writing, speaking, viewing, and listening.

Standard Two: Knowledge of Mathematics

The teacher shall be knowledgeable about mathematics and mathematics instruction.

Standard Three: Knowledge of Standards and Assessment

The teacher shall be knowledgeable about strategies, planning practices, assessment techniques, and appropriate accommodations to ensure student learning in a standards-based curriculum.

Standard Four: Knowledge of Content

The elementary teacher is knowledgeable, in addition to literacy and mathematics in the following content areas: civics, economics, foreign language, geography, history, science, music, visual arts, and physical education. Middle school and secondary content teachers shall be knowledgeable in literacy and mathematics and expert in their content endorsement area(s).

Standard Five: Knowledge of Classroom and Instructional Management

The teacher is knowledgeable about classroom practice in order to successfully manage time, communications, and record keeping procedures that will support and enhance student learning.

Standard Six: Knowledge of Individualization of Instruction

The teacher is responsive to the needs and experiences children bring to the classroom, including those based on culture, community , ethnicity, economics, linguistics, and innate learning abilities. The teacher is knowledgeable about learning exceptionalities and conditions that affect the rate and extent of student learning, and is able to adapt instruction for all learners.

Standard Seven: Knowledge of Technology

The teacher is skilled in technology and is knowledgeable about using technology to support instruction and enhance student learning.,

Standard Eight: Democracy, Educational Governance and Careers in Teaching

The teacher recognizes the school’s role in teaching and perpetuating our democratic system. The teacher knows the relationships among the various governmental entities that create laws, rules, regulations, and policies that determine educational practices.

O ath and consent forms are required but no longer need to be notarized

INACTIVE STATUS: A person who holds a professional license may convert it to Inactive Status by notifying CDE in writing and simultaneously transferring the professional license to CDE. While on Inactive status, the expiration date of the license is suspended. The holder may return to Active Status at any time by notifying CDE in writing, requesting the return of the license. CDE shall reissue the license with a new expiration date reflecting the period remaining on the license when surrendered. No professional development activities are required during the Inactive Status. A current mailing address must accompany the request in order to reactivate the license.

I t is permissible to hold and maintain different types of licenses. Separate licenses will require separate renewal forms and fees.

MASTER CERTIFICATE: Optional and voluntary, a Master Certificate may be issued to an educator who holds a Professional License and demonstrates outstanding competencies or expertise. The Master Certificate extends the life of a Professional License to seven years and is renewable. Master Certificates will also be issued to teachers who achieve certificates from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

B eginning April 2007, all new and renewal applicants are required to submit the affidavit and notarized documentation of a verification of lawful presence with application packet to CDE .