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Learn how you can teach in Colorado with an alternative teaching license.

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  • What is an alternative teaching license?
  • Why alternative licensure?
  • Get started
  • Find a job
  • Get your questions answered

What is an alternative teaching license?

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An alternative teaching license lets you teach while you complete your teacher preparation program. You’ll earn a salary, take classes outside of school hours and put your new skills into practice as you go. (1) 

Alternative licensure programs work directly with school districts to train teachers. Colorado has alternative licensure programs across the state, so you can find one that works for you! 

Who should consider alternative licensure?

Alternative licensure could be a great option if you: 

  • Recently completed an undergraduate degree but have not completed a teacher preparation program.
  • Are mid-career but are interested in making a difference.
  • Are a community member with a college degree and life experiences you could apply to the classroom.
  • Are a school staff member who wants to get your teaching license faster. 

In 2021, Colorado’s public schools had over 5,700 open teaching positions. Those are job opportunities, just waiting for someone to pursue them! (2)

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Benefits of alternative licensure

Make a difference, build your skills and get paid as you go.

Colorado school districts need more teachers, especially in areas like math, science, early childhood and special education. In 2021, Colorado’s public schools had over 5,700 open teaching positions. Those are job opportunities, just waiting for someone to pursue them! (2)

With an alternative teaching license, you’ll get to work in an in-demand field and support Colorado schools and students at the same time. 

The best part about alternative licensure is that you can get a job and get paid while you complete your teaching program. You'll also gain experience in the classroom while you learn the tools of the trade.

Alternative licensure programs are usually less expensive and take less time than a standard teaching program. 

The Colorado Department of Education explains: 

Alternative teacher preparation programs vary in length from 1 year to 2 years (though special education generalist candidates may take a third year, if necessary). While serving as a teacher, alternative candidates put what they learn into practice immediately. (1)

Colorado’s rural school districts especially need teachers across subject areas and grade levels. And if you teach in a rural district, you may qualify for financial support, such as loan forgiveness and stipends, to help cover your licensure costs.

Our Rural Educators page has more information about opportunities like the Rural Alternative Licensure Stipend, Colorado Educator Loan Forgiveness Program and more.   

What if I have an out-of-state teaching license? If you already have a teaching license or certificate from another state, you may not have to apply to an alternative teacher licensure program in Colorado. Learn about Colorado’s out-of-state licensing process at the Department of Education’s Credentialing Guide.

How to apply for an alternative teaching license

A Colorado alternative licensure candidate sits in her classroom, filling out paperwork on a clipboard

To get an alternative teaching license, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

You’ll also need a teaching job in a Colorado school district. The jobs you apply for should match the subject and grade level you want to eventually teach. In your job applications, make sure to say that you're prepared to enter an alternative licensure program. If you’re hired, your school district will help you identify and apply to their teaching program partner. 

Check out the district job boards below to find the position that’s right for you!

Want to know more about the alternative licensure process? Our Alternative Licensure article has more information about the steps you’ll need to take!

Pay and benefits vary by district, so make sure you check out district salary schedules to know what to expect! You can also learn more about Colorado salaries at our Salary and Benefits page.

Start here. Apply for a teaching job!

School districts are actively looking for people to fill teaching positions, especially in shortage areas like math, science and special education. Explore job boards from districts that partner with an alternative teaching program.

Job Board
Aspen 1
Eagle County RE-50
Hayden RE-1
Lake County RE-1
Moffat County 1
Rangely RE-4
Roaring Fork RE-1
South Routt RE-3
Steamboat Springs
Summit County RE-1
West Grand

Job Board
Briggsdale RE-10
Brush RE-2(J)
East Grand
Eaton RE-2
Estes Park R-3
Greeley-Evans RE-6
Fort Morgan RE-3
Meeker RE-1
Park-Estes Park RE-3
Pawnee RE-12 (Grover)
Platte Valley RE-7 (Kersey)
Poudre R-1
Prairie RE-11
St. Vrain RE-1J
Thompson R2-J
Weld County RE-1 (Gilcrest)
Weld RE-4
Weld RE-5J (Johnstown-Milliken)
Weld RE-8 (Fort Lupton)
Weld RE-9
Weldon Valley RE-20(J)
Wiggins RE-50(J)

 

Job Board
Agate 300
Akron R-1
Arickaree R-2
Arriba/Flagler C-20
Bennett 29J
Bethune R-5
Buffalo RE-4J
Burlington RE-6J
Byers 32J
Cheyenne Co RE-5
Deer Trail 26J
Frenchman RE-3
Genoa-Hugo C113
Haxton RE-2J
Hi-Plains (Vona) R-23
Holyoke
Idalia RJ-3
Julesburg RE-1
Karval RE-23
Kit Carson R-1
Liberty J-4
Limon RE-4J
Lone Star 101
Otis R-3
Peetz Plateau RE-5
Revere Schools
Strasburg 31J
Stratton R-4
Valley (Sterling) RE-1
Woodlin R-104
Wray
Yuma 1

Job Board
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Adams 14/Commerce City
Adams-Arapahoe 28J (Aurora)
Archuleta
Boulder Valley RE-2
Cherry Creek 5
Clear Creek RE-1
Denver County 1
DSST Public Schools
Douglas County RE-1
Englewood 1
Gilpin County RE-1
Jefferson County R-1
KIPP Colorado
Littleton 6
Mapleton 1
New America School
Pinnacle Charter School
Rocky Mountain Prep
School District 27J
Sheridan 2
STRIVE Prep
Weld RE-3J
Westminster Public Schools


 

 

Job Board
Academy 20
Big Sandy 100J
Calhan RJ-1
Cañon City RE-1
Cheyenne Mountain 12
Colorado Springs 11
Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind
Cripple Creek-Victor RE-1
District 49
Edison 54 JT
Elbert 200
Elizabeth
Ellicott 22
Fremont RE-2
Fountain 8
Hanover 28
Harrison 2
Kiowa C-2
Lewis-Palmer 38
Manitou Springs 14
Miami-Yoder 60 JT
Park County RE-2
Peyton 23 JT
Platte Canyon 1
Pueblo City 60
Pueblo County 70
Salida
Widefield 3
Woodland Park RE-2

Job Board
De Beque 49-JT
Delta County 50J
Garfield RE-2
Garfield 16
Gunnison Watershed RE-1J
Hinsdale RE-1
Mesa County Valley 51
Montrose RE-1J
Norwood R-2J
Ouray R-1
Plateau Valley 50
Ridgway R-2
Telluride R-1
West End RE-2

 

Job Board
Bayfield
Centennial R-1
Center 26 JT
Creede Consolidated 1
Del Norte C-7
Dolores County RE-2
Dolores RE-4A
Durango 9-R
Ignacio 11-JT
Mancos
Moffat 2
Monte Vista C-8
Montezuma-Cortez RE-1
Mountain Valley RE1
North Conejos RE-1J
Sanford 6J
Sangre De Cristo RE-22J
Sargent RE-33J
Sierra Grande R-30
South Conejos RE-1

 

Job Board
Aguilar RE-6
Alamosa RE-11J
Buena Vista
Custer County
Fremont RE-3/Cotopaxi
North Conejos RE-1J
Silverton

 

Job Board
Branson Reorganized 82
Campo RE-6
Cheraw
Crowley RE-1J
East Otero R-1
Fowler R-4J
Granada RE-1
Hoehne RE-3
Holly RE-3
Huerfano RE-1
Kim RE-88
Kiowa RE-1/Eads
Lamar RE-2
Las Animas RE-1
La Veta RE-2
Manzanola 3J
McClave RE-2
Plainview RE-2
Primero Reorganized 2
Pritchett RE-3
Rocky Ford
Swink
Wiley

 

Job Board
Charter School Institute
Colorado Early Colleges
Colorado League of Charter Schools
ECE Centers
Facility Schools
Facility School: Devereux Colorado
Facility School: Extended Hands of Hope
Facility School: Hampden Youth Campus
Facility School: Laradon
Facility School: Shiloh House
Facility School: Spectra School
Facility School: Third Way Center
Facility School: Tennyson Center for Children

 

Your next step: Talk to a coach for free

A future Colorado teacher talks to a TEACH Colorado coach on the phone

Want to learn more about alternative licensure? Sign up for a free coaching call with our alternative licensure specialist. Get answers to your specific questions, and map out your path to the classroom! 

Our Coaching page has more information about what to expect, plus tips to prepare for your session. 

Not sure if a 1:1 coaching call is the right next step for you? TEACH Colorado also offers group coaching! Visit our Events page to find an info session that matches your interests and works with your schedule.

Schedule Your Free Session

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Talk to our alternative licensure specialists over phone, video or email! Choose your preferred date, then click to sign up. Don't see a calendar? Try refreshing your page or email colorado@teach.org for assistance.

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References

  1. Alternative Teacher Candidates: What You Need to Know, Colorado Department of Education. https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/altteacheroverview 
  2. Colorado’s Educator Shortage Survey Results, Colorado Department of Education. https://www.cde.state.co.us/educatortalent/edshortage-surveyresults