There are many interesting, rewarding careers that a person could choose in Colorado. However, if you want a career that is focused on helping others and is important to the long-term success of the state, you should consider becoming a teacher. Colorado is investing more funding in education each year, meaning teaching is set to be one of the most competitive careers in the state.
Like all careers centered on working with children, there are steep requirements that you will have to fulfill before becoming a teacher in Colorado. Learn more about the rules for being licensed as a teacher in Colorado and find out some of the common tasks of the teaching profession.
Colorado Teacher Certification Requirements
Colorado Teacher Certification Types
Colorado provides several teacher endorsements in different educational disciplines. Areas where you can become licensed include Elementary, Early Childhood Education, Secondary, K-12 and different types of special education.
Colorado Teacher Education
Anyone seeking a teaching career in Colorado must have at least a Bachelor’s degree. Colorado teachers are also required to complete a teacher preparation program. Additionally, certain licenses require content specific credit hours, usually totaling 24 hours. Testing out of these credit hours is available.
Featured Schools
Colorado Teacher Certification Exam
Colorado does not require a basic skills test. Instead, they require content assessment tests for teachers focusing on one subject, such as secondary school teachers. Both the Program for Licensing Assessments for Colorado Educators (PLACE) and the Praxis II exam are accepted in Colorado. You will need to score at least 220 on the PLACE exam. Your Praxis II score depends on the subject matter.
Teacher Experience
Student teaching will be a component of your teacher preparation program. This will give you experience in an actual Colorado classroom. Student teaching can last as long as a year.
Background Check
A criminal background check is required to teach in Colorado. You will also need to provide the Colorado Bureau of Investigation with a full fingerprint set.
Alternative Certification and Other Requirements
- Colorado Alternative Teacher Certification: If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can get an alternative teaching license. To earn your license, you will teach while completing educational requirements needed for licensure.
- Teacher Certification Renewal: An initial license only lasts for three years in Colorado. It can be renewed or converted. Professional Licenses last for six years. Renewing a Professional License requires six hours of college credit and 90 hours of professional development.
- Colorado Substitute Teaching: Colorado offers 1-Year, 3-Year and 5-Year substitute teacher authorizations. Each authorization has its own education requirements.
- Reciprocity: Colorado licenses teachers who were trained in other states through reciprocity. You will need to prove your credentials to receive your license.
Discover teacher certification programs in Colorado that are a match for you!
What Does a Teacher Do in Colorado?
The main responsibility of a teacher in Colorado is to provide instruction for their students. This can be in one subject or multiple subjects depending on where you teach. Other tasks that you can expect to perform as a teacher can include student evaluation and assessment, planning a curriculum, providing information about student performance to parents and working with other teachers to improve your school.
Colorado Teacher Salary
Anyone who wants to learn about their possible salary as a Colorado teacher needs to examine the 2015 report by the Bureau Labor Statistics (BLS). This report documented the median yearly salary for teachers in Colorado at multiple levels. In 2015, Elementary School teachers made $51,360, Middle School teachers made $51,800 and High School teachers earned $53,640.
Colorado Teacher Certification Links
Teacher Certification Programs in Colorado
Teacher Certification Programs in Colorado
(It’s fast and free!)
Choose your area of study and receive free information about programs you are interested in. Becoming a teacher is an important decision that requires commitment, dedication, and passion. Teacher certification requirements vary by state. However, there are a number qualifications that every state requires to teach at the public school level. Request information from multiple schools to find the best program and educational opportunity for you!