Advancing an Initial License to a Professional License

Preparing to Apply

This checklist is for ...

Applicants who hold a Colorado initial teacher, special services, principal or administrator license* and wish to advance to a professional license.

*Please note: you may have to meet additional requirements to advance expired credentials. Please check the endorsement page for information on today's requirements and current exam information.

Not in the right place? Review the other checklists.

You Will Need

A copy of the certificate verifying completion of a Colorado induction program specific to the license you wish to advance (i.e., teacher induction to advance an initial teacher license)
Be sure also to review the application process.

Application Fee:

$90

License Expires:

7 years from date of issue

Gather the Necessary Information/Documentation

In your application you will need to provide:

A valid form of government-issued identification.
A copy of your induction certificate (provided by a CDE-approved induction provider) that correlates with the license you wish to advance
Updated work experience
Documentation for any self-disclosures related to the following:
- Prior criminal history
- Disciplinary actions
- Issues related to licensure or employment

Then ...

Log in to COOL
Ensure you have a current background check on file. You have 30 days from the time CDE receives your background check to apply for a license.
- If you have submitted fingerprints for CDE credentialing in the past, but allowed all credentials to lapse or did not submit within the 30-day window, you must submit a new set of fingerprints to CBI for licensure purposes.
- The status of your background checks will be noticed in your COOL account and within your application(s).

Have everything ready to go?

When you have gathered all required documentation, have submitted fingerprints to CBI for CDE licensure purposes and have reviewed the licensure process, log in to COOL and select the "advance" button in the credentials section of your dashboard. If for some reason this option is not available to you, please submit a support ticket so that this issue can be resolved directly.

Final Reminders

At the risk of repeating ourselves, we again reiterate these important reminders:

You have 30 days from the time CDE receives your background checks to submit an application or you will need to submit a new set of fingerprints for licensure purposes at the time of application.
By submitting an application, you are verifying that you have submitted fingerprints for CDE licensure purposes, provided all requested documentation and answered all questions truthfully.
Within 45 days of receipt (usually far sooner!), CDE will evaluate the application.
- Upon determination of qualification, CDE will notify the applicant and the corresponding certificate will be available for view or print in the individual's COOL account.
If for some reason CDE is not able to access all documentation in the application, the application will be deemed "incomplete" and CDE will notify the applicant via email and specify the information needed to complete it. This includes notification that we have yet to receive your background checks!
- An applicant has 60 days from the date of this notification to cure the deficiency (i.e., provide the necessary information or submit background checks) or submit to the department a written request for reconsideration stating the basis for the request. Additional time is not granted to those who receive this notification due to background checks. Any additional deficiency noticed also will need to be cured within the original 60-day period.
  - Requests for reconsideration do not apply to background checks.
  - CDE will provide a written response within 30 days of any request for reconsideration.
- An applicant who fails to cure the deficiency or request reconsideration within these 60 days will be deemed as having withdrawn the application, and such withdrawal shall not be subject to appeal or review.
State statute prohibits the refunding of any application evaluation fee.
Once you have submitted an application, check your COOL account regularly for notifications on its status and/or to print a copy of your certificate.

APPLY / LOG IN TO COOL

Questions? Email CDELicensing@cde.state.co.us or call 303-866-6628.