Frequently Asked Questions

There are three basic pathways to the Teacher Alternative License. To determine which pathway is right for you, use the guide below and visit the Colorado Department of Education website.

If you are employed as an alternative teacher, you will be paid by the employing district. Some of the programs allow the expenses of being trained and mentored to be deducted monthly from your salary. Salaries vary among school districts. Contact the schools or districts that you are interested in for this information.

Yes. You may submit a copy of course descriptions, or provide information that directly pertains to your content area. These materials will not be returned. Please do not include the entire course catalog to document your course descriptions, or resumes, letters of recommendation or teacher evaluations with your packet.

No. Alternative license pending indicates that CDE has determined you are highly qualified to teach a specific endorsement area in Colorado. You have passed through the highly qualified and fingerprint stages of the CDE alternative licensure process. Many districts require this step before you become eligible to apply for a teaching position. This status is good for one calendar year.

To qualify for any type of teacher license in Colorado, the CDE requires each applicant to submit to the CO Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a complete set of fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining a fingerprint based criminal history check (state and FBI records). While your school or district may require a fingerprint background check as well, this is different from the CDE requirement. Therefore, unless your school accepts the CDE fingerprint clearance report, you will need to submit TWO fingerprint cards to CBI: one for school/district and another for CDE licensure purposes.

The cost of the ASPIRE to Teach® program is $5,570 plus a $250 non-refundable deposit due during enrollment. This includes access to all online modules with feedback from instructors, Professional Learning Community meetings, mentoring and coaching. The fee charged to the alternative candidate will vary depending on the designated agency. The Colorado Department of Education does not set or keep program fee information. Information about program costs may be obtained from the designated agency. Please note that the MA option for ASPIRE graduates is a separate program cost and is not included in the above pricing.

Designated agencies sign your Statement of Assurrance of Employment (SAE) for your alternative licensure application. The agency also signs off on the initial licensure upon completion of the program. Designated agencies include school districts, charter or private schools, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations or a combination of these groups. CU Denver is the designated agency for ASPIRE.

Yes. You do not need to have full-time employment by a district to qualify for the ASPIRE program.

This will depend on the school district. Many districts require applicants to hold an 'Alternative License Pending' status with CDE.

No. You will be endorsed in one content area only. An additional endorsement may be added to your license at a later date, after you have completed your initial program.

Please review the appropriate content review sheet for your endorsement area to see if you qualify for a license through the transcript review process. If not, you will need to take the appropriate Praxis exam.

No. Alternative candidates are required to seek their own employment, similar to those who have completed regular preparation for licensure. CDE has a job website at www.teachincolorado.org. You may also want to check with individual districts for their job openings.

Yes. Transfer credits are often listed in bulk, without details for the courses included. The evaluators match your educational background to state requirements for the endorsement area. If you do not include all transcripts, your evaluation could be delayed.

For elementary and special education generalist candidates:

• Successfully pass the Colorado State Board of Education-approved elementary content exam
  

For early childhood education candidates (at least one of the following):

• Hold a bachelor's or higher degree in early childhood education
• Successfully pass the approved elementary content exam
• The Colorado State Board of Education-approved early childhood education content exam

For K-12 endorsements and secondary (7-12) endorsements(at least one of the following):

• Hold a degree in the endorsement area from a regionally-accredited institution
• Have 24 semester hours in the endorsement area, as outlined on the content evaluation worksheets
• Earn a passing score on a Colorado State Board of Education-approved assessment for the endorsement area