1.3 hours
Prepare for Colorado Licensure Tests
Learn about the exams you need to take and how to prepare.
Learn about the exams you need to take and how to prepare.
Before you can teach in Colorado, you’ll need to pass at least one test related to your subject area. If testing stresses you out, you’re definitely not alone. We’re here to help you find the right tools to ace your exams.
For most Colorado teachers, the relevant test will be the content area assessment. We’ll go over your content exam options in detail—what they cover, who they’re for and what resources can help you prepare.
It’s worth noting that Colorado’s public four-year colleges and universities have gone test-optional. That means that if you’re applying to an undergraduate program, these schools do not require test scores like the SAT or ACT for admission. You can learn more in our teacher prep program eligibility guide.
To get licensed to teach in Colorado, you’ll need to pass an exam in your subject area. This is to show that you know your subject matter well enough to teach it.
Did you take a PLACE or NES test (other than the NES Mandarin exam) in the last five years? Colorado no longer uses these tests. But if you’ve already taken them, your scores are still valid and applicable for up to five years after the date you took either assessment (May 6, 2022 will be the last date that Colorado accepts scores from these tests).
The timing of your content area test will depend on your teaching program. For some programs, you may need to pass your content exam before you apply. Other programs only require you to register for your content test before submitting your application. In other programs, you’ll take your content exam while you’re enrolled.
Check with the programs you’re considering to find out when you’ll need to take your content area test.
Your content area assessment will depend on the subject you plan to teach. Look at the Colorado Department of Education’s endorsement requirements to see a full list of test options, test codes and passing scores for each exam. Some endorsement areas, such as elementary education, require more than one exam.
If you have any questions about your teaching program applications, reach out to a TEACH Colorado coach or admissions staff for support. We're here for you.
Your Colorado licensure process will depend on your experience and what license or certification you hold. If you’re licensed to teach in another state or country, you may need to take a content exam in order to teach in Colorado—even if you’ve taken a similar test elsewhere. You may also need to have your credentials reviewed by the Colorado Department of Education.
To learn more about licensure for out-of-state educators, visit the CDE’s Credentialing Guide for Out-of-State Applicants. You’ll find more information about whether your current credential is valid in Colorado, as well as checklists to apply for a Colorado teaching license.
Licensing tests are required—but remember, your scores don’t necessarily reflect the kind of teacher you will be. Exams like the content area assessment are just one more step on your way to licensure, and you can take them more than once.
You’re on a mission, and you’ve got this!
You’ve worked hard to get where you are. You’ve put together an amazing application, and you’re pretty sure you aced your teaching exam. But just as you’re submitting your materials to your program, you find out that your test scores won’t be available until after the application deadline.
Don’t let this happen to you! Making a test schedule can save you application frustration and stress later on. You’ll want to know:
Once you know these important dates, we recommend adding in at least an extra week or two of cushion. That way, if your test is rescheduled or your testing equipment isn’t working, you won’t be scrambling to take the test in time.
After you register for your test, you can work backward: Figure out how much time you have between now and your testing date. Then, make yourself a study schedule that maps out how and when you’ll study for your exam (more on that in Step 4!)
Check with your teaching program to find out when you need to have taken and passed the subject area assessment, and to verify which tests you’ll take.
If you’re taking the Praxis, head over to the Praxis registration page. There, you will:
If you need to take the Mandarin content exam, you’ll do that through the Pearson National Evaluation Series website. Select Colorado from the drop-down menu and create an account.
After you create your NES account, you can register for your test and choose where you want to send your scores. When you register, you’ll want to look for the “Chinese (Mandarin)” exam on the drop-down menu. The NES Mandarin exam costs $95.
Once you have an NES account, you can also access preparation materials and check your scores.
Due to Covid-19, most test-makers now offer a “test from home” option. This lets you take your exam online through a secure portal or proctoring service.
You can register to take your Praxis at home through your Praxis account. Visit the Praxis At Home Testing page to see which Praxis exams are available for at home testing and what equipment you’ll need.
You can take your NES Mandarin test from home through Pearson OnVUE. Learn more about online proctoring at the NES Computer-Based Testing page.
All exams have options to request special accommodations, such as alternative testing locations or extra time. Make sure you schedule your exam far enough out so that your accommodations request can get processed. Depending on the exam, this request processing time can be anywhere from ten days to six weeks.
Learn more about available accommodations and how to request them for each exam:
Once you’ve registered, make a list of everything you need to do between now and your test day.
Whichever test you’re taking, there are study guides to help you prepare. Some come directly from test-makers, while others come from other educational organizations and universities.
We’ll share a few resources here.
If you’re taking the Praxis, you also have numerous test prep options from third-party companies. Here are a few suggestions to get started. While we have not personally vetted all of these resources, you may find them useful in your test preparation.
Tip box: Before you purchase any test prep materials, check with your program to see if any discount codes are available for your test prep option of choice.
TEACH Colorado offers $100 in reimbursement for any test fees that are required for you to apply and enroll in a teaching program. That could include registration fees and test prep materials for your content area test! (Reimbursements do not include tests that you take after you’ve enrolled.) Visit the TEACH Colorado Fee Reimbursements page to learn more about eligibility and how to apply.
You’ve registered, studied and taken practice tests—and you’re ready for your exam!
Remember to take care of yourself before your test:
Some of the suggestions above, such as getting enough sleep and eating a good breakfast, are important for at-home testing as well. You can also consider these at-home testing tips:
If you’re testing from home, try setting up your exam space the way it will look on test day, and use it to take practice tests! If you’re studying in your test environment, it can help you recall information when it’s time to take the test for real.
Score availability will depend on which exam you take and when you take it.
When you register for your exam, you can request that your scores get sent to your teaching program or prospective programs. You can choose up to four programs to receive your scores. The Colorado Department of Education will receive your scores automatically.
You may also need to report your scores on your program application itself. Your application checklist has a step for submitting scores!
Applications have a lot of steps, and we’re here to support you with all of them.
Check out more FREE tools to simplify the process.