Initial Licensing Process
Office of Professional Services
and Educator Licensing
October 2015
About Educator Preparation,
Licensing, and Enforcement
 Educator Preparation: reviews all educator preparation programs offered by CO
colleges and designated agencies.
 ALL license-holding educators in CO must have completed an approved educator
preparation program.
 Educator Licensing: evaluates applications for educator licenses and authorizations
to qualifying individuals.
 Evaluators review all of your documents that are uploaded into the application
and determine if you qualify for a credential in compliance with state law.
 Enforcement: conducts background checks for all applicants via fingerprint
submission.
 No educator license can be issued without a cleared background through both CBI and FBI.
 Customer Service Center: the “face” of CDE; answers questions from current license
holders and potential applicants.
 Only department in CDE that has direct external interaction with educators in CO.
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Educator Licensing in Numbers
(2014)
 Enforcement
 Initiated 2,795 new cases
 Closed 2,573 cases (the remaining 222 are still under investigation)
 Presented 68 individuals to the state board for action against a license or application
 Evaluators
 Reviewed 37,505 applications
 Issued 33,627 credentials
 Maintained maximum processing timeframe of 6 weeks
 Educator Preparation
 Oversaw 49 different educator preparation programs throughout CO
 Assisted in approval of 10 new programs and reauthorization of 7 existing programs
 Customer Service
 Answered 34,408 phone calls
 Received 41,360 email inquiries
 Assisted 1,289 walk-in applicants
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How to Find Our Site
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How to Find the
Initial Teacher Application
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Navigating eLicensing
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Navigating eLicensing
 Will take you to the list of
available applications.
 Will also take you to
continue applications you
have already started.
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Navigating eLicensing
 Will allow you to see your
application status; show
this OR payment receipt
to potential employer.
 Is accurate to the second.
 Please check this status
before calling or emailing.
 Check email (including
spam) to see if we’ve
already contacted you.
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Navigating eLicensing
 Designed to be a lifetime
account.
 Please keep all of this
information (especially
email) up-to-date.
 Changes are effective
immediately.
 Name changes will be
under “Applications”
under Reprint
Request/Name Change.
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Navigating eLicensing
 Disclosing something
other than a
misdemeanor DUI or
other traffic infraction on
your background.
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Navigating eLicensing
 Again, accurate to the
second.
 Can be used as proof of
licensure until you receive
your eCertificate.
 Coming soon: ability to
see expired, in-progress,
inactive, revoked, etc.
licenses.
 Currently only shows
active licenses.
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eLicensing:
Account Creation
 Only create one eLicensing account. If you ever have trouble
accessing your account, call or email us; do not create another
account.
 Multiple accounts create complications for evaluators, distract our
eLicensing specialists from other work, and prevent you from
accessing your account and applying.
 Designed to be a lifetime account.
 You can change all personal information within your account. This
includes changes to your name, address, email, etc.
 Any future applications (renewals, added endorsements, other
licensure, etc.) will be completed through this same account.
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eLicensing:
Email Verification
 Upon account creation, you will need to verify your email
address. An email will be generated and sent to you; click on
the link or copy and paste it into your browser.
 If you did not receive the email (and you have checked your
spam/junk mail), you entered your email address incorrectly. You
will need to change it in eLicensing. Do not create another account.
 This is our primary source of contact with you; make sure it is a
valid, personal email address that is unique to you.
 A college or district email may become inaccessible later on.
 Check. Your. Spam. Folder. Our emails can end up there by
mistake and you could miss an important message from us.
 Your credential will be emailed to you as a PDF file.
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General Application Tips
 Utilize the application checklist.
 Have all items scanned and uploaded on your computer before
applying. This will ensure a smooth application process and that
you complete it in one sitting.
 Begin in advance.
 All complete applications take up to 6 weeks to process. Be
prepared to wait the entire 6 weeks.
 Set aside time to sit down and focus only on the application.
 Most people try to complete the application at work or during
other stressful times. Give yourself time to focus on it.
 Read the application thoroughly; don’t click “Yes” just to get
through it! This will prevent mistakes and misunderstandings.
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General Application Tips
 Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are the best web browsers
to use to access the eLicensing system. With Internet Explorer,
you may need to change the compatibility mode.
 It’s always preferable to use a PC, as opposed to a Mac or
mobile device, to access the application.
 You can click on items that you have uploaded to make sure
they are the correct document and have uploaded correctly.
 Self-Disclosure: misdemeanor DUIs and traffic violations do
not need to be disclosed.
 If you have any issues paying the application fee ($80 with a
credit card), call us to avoid a double-charge.
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“Teacher” Application: eLicensing
 Everything is digital; DO NOT mail anything to CDE. All
materials need to be scanned and uploaded into the “Teacher”
application.
 Collect all of your application materials, scan them, and put them
onto your computer before applying.
 Only OFFICIAL transcripts should be submitted; either an eTranscript PDF or a hard copy mailed to you, opened, then
scanned.
 Do not send in an application unless you have all required
materials – otherwise, your processing time will be doubled.
 If your application is incomplete for 90 days, it will expire and you
will have to re-apply and pay the fee again.
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“Teacher” Application:
Required Materials
 Fingerprints (provided by Metro)
 Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education
attended (even if credits transferred).
 Again, official e-Transcript PDF OR official mailed copies opened,
scanned, and uploaded. “Issued to Student” is okay.
 Bachelor’s transcripts must show degree as “Awarded” or
“Conferred;” Master’s transcripts need to show student teaching
completion and grade.
 Approved Program Verification Form (provided by Metro)
 Exam results (contact PLACE or PRAXIS II for your score report)
 A score report is required even if you had the results sent to CDE.
 A valid CO driver’s license OR a valid U.S. passport
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“Teacher” Application: Submission
 You will be emailed a receipt – keep this receipt, as we cannot
send it again. You can use this to prove that you have at least
applied while your app is being processed.
 You can check the status of your application at any time by
logging in to your eLicensing account.
 Once your license status says "ISSUED," you will receive an
emailed eCertificate same-day.
 Check your spam/junk folder in your email!
 Save your eCertificate – if you need another copy, you must
fill out a “Reprint Request” application.
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Initial License:
General Information
 An Initial license is issued for 3 years and is renewable once.
 If renewing a second time or more, you will need to provide a
statement on why you have not completed an Induction Program.
 No professional development or additional courses are required to
renew an Initial license.
 Set a calendar reminder to renew your license – can begin process
up to 6 months in advance (but no earlier).
 You do not need to submit fingerprints again.
 If an Initial license expires, you must meet any new
requirements (testing, etc.) to renew it.
 You can add endorsements to an Initial license – see our
website for information on adding specific endorsements.
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CDE: Office of Professional
Services & Licensing (OPSEL)
6000 E Evans Ave., Bldg #2, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80222
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof (bookmark this website!)
cdelicensing@cde.state.co.us
303.866.6628
(option “1” for Enforcement/Self-Disclosure/Fingerprints)
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Thank You!
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