How to Become a Teacher in Colorado

• Becoming a teacher in Colorado requires at least a bachelor's degree.
• You can earn your Colorado teacher certification through a hybrid program.
• You must pass PRAXIS Tests as part of the certification process.
• Many Colorado teaching careers pay a median salary above $60,000.

An online bachelor's degree and in-state student teaching experience can qualify you to become a teacher in Colorado. Other steps include passing tests and submitting to a criminal background check.

How Do You Become a Teacher in Colorado?

Becoming a teacher in Colorado requires education, experience, and examination. These steps qualify you for a teaching certification. You must maintain your certification by taking professional development classes.

1. Earn Your Bachelor's Degree

Colorado requires all public school teachers to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Your academic program must also earn approval from the Colorado Department of Education (ED).

Colorado does not limit approval to one academic major. Your college or university may offer several majors leading to an initial teaching certification, including:

• Primary education
• Secondary education
• Special education

You can also double major in education and a second subject. Doing so prepares you to teach that subject at the primary or secondary level.

2. Gain Student Teaching Experience

Becoming a teacher in Colorado requires student teaching. Your teacher-preparation program places you at one or more local schools for a semester. You can student-teach at a local school even if you attend an out-of-state online college.

The day-to-day student teaching experience involves working full time alongside a mentor teacher. Your mentor teacher provides you with feedback and support. Their reports to your professors result in a grade and licensure eligibility.

3. Take Required Certification Tests

Like most states, Colorado requires PRAXIS Tests administered by ETS. The tests you need to pass depend on the grade levels and subjects you wish to teach. Colorado's passing score cutoffs differ from those of other states.

Plan to take PRAXIS Tests near the end of your teacher-preparation program. ETS offers many test-preparation resources. Your school may do so, as well.

Depending on your content area, you may need to take additional PRAXIS Tests after you earn a Colorado teacher certification. ETS can help you identify the necessary exams to reach your career goals.

4. Apply for Certification

Congratulations on earning a bachelor's degree and passing one or more PRAXIS Tests! You must submit your transcripts, test scores, and supporting documentation to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). Special steps include a criminal background check.

Check all application deadlines and materials before applying. The CDE does not process applications submitted more than 30 days after receiving background check results. Missing this deadline means you must pay for another background check.

5. Maintain Your Certification

You must maintain your Colorado teacher certification by completing 90 contact hours of professional development instruction every seven-year renewal period. You can substitute this requirement with six graduate credits from an accredited university.

Teachers entering the profession after 2025 must take specific professional development classes. These classes include behavioral health and educating learners with a disability.

You submit professional development documentation through an online portal. Check the CDE website for the latest information and due dates.

What's the Career Outlook for Teachers in Colorado?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Colorado experienced a 3.4% unemployment rate in December 2023. Education and health services positions grew at an annual 2.8% rate the same month, much higher than the average growth for all nonfarm occupations. These statistics suggest a strong job market for aspiring Colorado educators.

Individuals interested in becoming a teacher in Colorado should compare the state's outlook with the national trend. As a whole, the United States experienced a 3.7% unemployment rate in December 2023, according to the BLS.

Comparing Colorado to other states can also help you make an informed decision. The latest BLS data shows that metropolitan areas in Texas, Ohio, and Hawaii feature the nation's largest concentrations of high school teaching jobs.

How Much Will You Make as a Teacher in Colorado?

In the 2021-2022 school year, the average teacher in Colorado earned $60,168, according to the CDE. The chart below displays the state median salary for different education-related positions. You may earn significantly less as a new teacher.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teacher Certification in Colorado

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 4, 2024.