The ASPIRE to Teach application is free. If asked to pay a non-refundable fee, you are in the wrong place. Stop and email [email protected] before paying anything.
To be eligible, you need a teaching contract in an Alternatively Licensable content area.
The ASPIRE program has rolling admissions with six application windows from late summer to early spring, plus a February window for Special Education and ECSE candidates. Application windows are based on timing and enrollment capacity.
Applications are processed in the order that they are received, and incomplete applications are not processed.
As part of your application, you will need to submit the documents identified below. If you do not have documents yet, you may return to your application and upload them when you have them. DO NOT submit a duplicate application (doing so will delay processing).
All applicants are required to submit a resume.
Please list:
All applicants must submit a 2026/2027 Contract or Letter of Offer for a teacher of record position in your endorsement area that specifies "Teacher of Record" and matches the content area for which you are applying for license. Your contract or letter of offer must be signed and dated by you and your current employer. It will also need to verify current employment of 51% or more in your endorsement area.
All applicants are required to submit their official degree-conferred transcript from your undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) programs.
Transcripts from institutions outside the US must be in English or include an authentic English translation and have been evaluated by a NACES member organization for course-by-course equivalency. For more information, please go to the CDE Transcripts Requirements website.
All applicants must submit evidence they meet the CDE competency requirements for their eligible endorsement area.
Please review the worksheet for your content area and submit one of the following:
ELEMENTARY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION candidates: Starting 07/20/2026, we will allow candidates to enroll on an Interim Authorization if they provide a receipt that they are registered to take the 5903 (Elementary/Sped) or 5024 (ECE/ECSE)PRAXIS exam within 21 days of submitting their ASPIRE application.
Interim Authorizations will not be offered to any K-12 or Secondary endorsement area.
For more information on the Praxis exam visit the Colorado Department of Education Approved Content Tests Page or the CDE Praxis Information page.
For more information in regard to the Content/Endorsement Area Review Sheets go to the Colorado Department of Education Endorsement Requirements page.
1. Complete the Applicant/Candidate (green) section of the SOA form
1. Do not initial or sign the bottom/green section until you receive the SOA back from ASPIRE
2. Have your HR office complete the School/District (dark gray) section
1. Applicant Placement: Select Content Area from the drop-down list of CDE eligible endorsement areas
2. Applicant Agreement Period: 2026-2027 school year dates and must have a specific end date (mm/dd/2027).
3. Online School: must select yes or no
4. Credential Type: Alternative License (passing PRAXIS scores) or Interim Authorization (non-passing scores or scheduled PRAXIS)
3. Submit SOA to ASPIRE so we can complete the Designated Agency/Program (light gray) section.
The 2026/2027 ERR Funding application opens on 7/1/2026. In order to apply, you must have received a signed statement of assurance from ASPIRE to Teach, and have at least applied for your alternative credential via the CDE, even if you don’t have it yet.
All ERR applicants must have their ERR Program Cost form signed by ASPIRE prior to submitting their ERR application. If you apply to for the ERR grant without a signed Program Cost form, ASPIRE will not sign your form retroactively.
Our friends at TEACH Colorado have free tools and resources to make applying to our program - and becoming a classroom teacher - easier.
Create an account today and immediately access:
ASPIRE continues to meet and exceed all of my expectations as a first-year teacher. I love the consistent support I receive from my Instructor. I can bring her any on-the-job question or concern and she will give me guidance and a fresh perspective. I could not be having a better experience and I recommend this program to anyone pursuing an Alternative Teaching License. - Anna , ASPIRE Candidate