Colorado STATE BOARD OF Education 
Department of Education
1 Colorado Code of Regulations 301-37
Colorado Educator Licensing Act oF 1991

[Editor’s Notes follow the text of the rules at the end of this CCR Document.]
2260.5-R-1.00 Statement of Basis and Purpose.
The statutory basis for these Rules adopted May 12, 1994, is found in 22-2-107(1)(c), State Board-Powers, 22-60.5-101, et.seq., C.R.S., the Colorado Educator Licensing Act of 1991 and 22-2-109(1), State Board-Additional Duties. These Rules establish the standards and criteria for the issuance of licenses and authorizations to teachers, special services providers, principals, and administrators.  The Act calls for the State Board of Education to adopt rules for a three-tiered system of licensure for education personnel which includes an Initial License for entry-level educators, a Professional License for experienced educators, and a voluntary Master Certificate for outstanding educators.
These Rules also provide for the issuance of special authorizations to educators as necessary to meet the needs of Colorado schools and students. Standards and processes for the approval of educator preparation programs through institutions of higher education and at alternative sites are provided. Criteria for the renewal of licenses and authorizations are established which provide for significant involvement of practicing educators. Standards for endorsement in subject areas or other areas of educational specialization are prescribed.
These Rules provide a process for the recognition of educator preparation programs in other states to facilitate the movement of educators among states. As required by the Act, the Rules establish the requirements of induction programs provided by local school districts to assist new educators through support, supervision, ongoing professional development, and evaluation.
The Rules establish the standards and processes by which licenses may be denied, suspended, annulled, or revoked for conviction of certain criminal offenses, unethical behavior, or professional incompetence. Other miscellaneous provisions are included to meet the requirements of the Act.
1.01   Statement of findings and reasons for adoption of emergency rules
Following adoption of the (rules for the) Administration of the Colorado Educator Licensing Act of 1991, the Colorado State Board of Education has received considerable unsolicited oral and written testimony from local boards of education and boards of cooperative educational services expressing concern over the increase requirements for substitute teachers to provide services in the public schools. Local districts assert that the standards for issuance of licenses and substitute authorizations have diminished their available pool of substitute teachers to the extent that classrooms and groups of students will have no adult supervision when the regularly assigned teacher is absent. The State Board of Education finds that such potential lack of supervision threatens the well being of well-being of students and finds that the immediate adoption of Emergency rules [ 4.09 - 4.09 (3) and 4.10] on October 7,1994 is imperatively necessary for the preservation of public health, safety, and welfare of students. These Rules are effective upon adoption and shall be valid for ninety days.
1.02   Statement of findings and reasons for adoption of emergency rules
Following adoption of the (rules for the) Administration of the Colorado Educator Licensing Act of 1991, the Colorado State Board of Education adopted emergency rules [4.09 - 4.09(3) and 4.10] regarding substitute teacher authorizations on October 7, 1994 and readopted them for technical reasons on November 10,1994. A hearing was held on December 8,1994 to consider permanent adoption of these Rules. Testimony presented at the hearing indicated that neither the prior emergency nor the proposed permanent rules were sufficient to meet the immediate needs of Colorado school districts throughout the state for substitute teachers to provide adult supervision when the regularly assigned teacher is absent. The State Board of Education finds that, based on this new information, and to guarantee the safety and supervision of students, the immediate adoption of emergency rules [ 4.09 - 4.09(3) and 4.10] on December 8, 1994 is imperatively necessary for the preservation of public health, safety, and welfare of students. Waiting to provide official notice prior to adoption of these emergency rules would jeopardize the safety of Colorado public school students on a daily basis. These Rules are effective upon adoption and shall be valid for ninety days.
1.03   Statement of Basis and Purpose for Amendment.
The statutory basis for amendments to these Rules adopted July 13, 1995 is found in 22-2-107 (l)(c) and 22-60.5-101, et. seq., C.R.S. These Rules are amended to conform to legislative amendments (SB 95-75) to 22-60.5-111(l)(a)(f), 22-60.5-114(2), and 22-60.5-309.5, C.R.S. Changes have also been made to conform to HB 95-1189, which negated selected existing rules. In addition, these amendments clarify and improve language, correct technical errors and omissions, and reflect further development of the licensing program.
1.04   Statement of Basis and Purpose for Amendment.
The statutory basis for the amendments to these Rules adopted December 13, 1996 is found in 22-2-107(l)(c), 22-2-109(1), and 22-60.5-101, et. seq., C.R.S. These amendments are required to comply with legislative action through Senate Bill 96-236 which eliminated selected sections of the State Board's earlier adopted rules. These amendments relate to the powers and duties of the professional standards boards, the establishment of educator licensing review boards, the requirements for induction programs for certain authorizations, and the requirement for renewal of licenses. These amendments also modify the requirements for field experiences in preservice educator preparation programs and address technical flaws or omissions in the earlier rules. Revised endorsement standards for early childhood education, middle childhood education, English language arts education, mathematics education, science education, social studies education, early adolescence education, linguistically diverse education, school audiologist, school occupational therapist, school nurse, school psychologist, school social worker, school speech/language pathologist, and school counselor are included. In addition, amendments are included to address legislative requirements regarding teacher shortages and basic skills assessments for certain Special Services Licenses.
1.05  Statement of Basis and Purpose for Amendment.
The statutory basis for amendments to these rules adopted on September 11,1997, is found in 22-2-107(1)(c), 22-2-109(1), and 22-60.5-101, et.seq., C.R.S. These amendments are required to conform the State Board’s Rules with legislative amendments to the Educator Licensing Act of 1991, resulting from the passage of HB 97-1058 and HB 97-1108. In addition, these amendments correct technical errors and omissions found in the Board’s early adopted Rules. Specifically, these amendments delete outdated definitions related to educator review boards and peer review, clarify the requirements for licensure of out-of-state applicants, enable the Department to issue professional licenses to teachers who hold national certification, provide requirements for the reinstatement of expired certificates or licenses and provide for the establishment of a fee for such reinstatements, provide for multiple renewals of Initial licenses if holders are unable to complete induction programs, clarify the experience requirements for principals and administrators, provide for the issuance of professional licenses for educators unable to complete induction if districts have obtained waivers of induction programs, establish a Type IV Authorization-Extension for educators unable to renew licenses due to hardships, modify the standards for principal and administrator preparation programs, change the requirements for renewal of professional licenses, eliminate the minority alternative teacher fellowship program and minority teacher fund, modify the requirements for the State Board in receiving recommendations from the Professional Standards Boards, and create an inactive status for holders of professional licenses who wish to surrender their licenses for an unspecified period and later return to active status.
1.06   Statement of Basis and Purpose for Amendment.
The statutory basis for the amendments to these Rules adopted on August 20, 1998 is found in 22-2-107(1) (c), 22-2-109(1), and 22-60.5-101, et. seq., C.R.S. These amendments are required to comply with legislative action through House Bill 98-1208 which exempts school psychologists and school social workers from the basic skills assessment for licensure, House Bill 98-1089 which specifies the requirements for evaluator training in approved principal and administrator preparation programs, and House Bill 1267 which modifies the standards and criteria for the approval of teacher education programs, modifies the criteria for the renewal of professional licenses, and revises the criteria for the evaluation of programs of preparation for teachers, principals and administrators. These amendments also remove the previous 60 day employment limitation for holders of the one-year type v authorization-substitute. In addition, amendments include revised endorsement standards for agriculture, business/marketing, consumer and family studies, technical education, and trade and industry education.
1.07   Statement of Findings and Reasons for Adoption of Amendments.
Following the passage of SB 02-152, the State Board of Education finds that to meet the timeline therein, it is necessary to adopt rules to provide the content of principal preparation programs.
1.08   Statement of Basis and Purpose for Adoption of Amendments
The statutory basis for these Rules, adopted as emergency rules on October 3, 2002, is found in 22-2-107 (l)(c), State Board Powers, 22-60.5-101, et seq., C.R.S, the Colorado Educator Licensing Act of 1991, 22-2-109(l)(p), State Board of Education - additional duties - teacher standards - principal standards, and 22-2-109 (6)(a). These Rules establish the standards and criteria for the issuance of licenses and authorizations to principals.The purpose of these amendments to the rules for the
Administration of Educator Licensing Act of 1991,   is to ensure that principal preparation programs be performance-based, enabling principal candidates to demonstrate proficiency in leading high-quality, standards-based schools.
1.09   Statement of Basis and Purpose for Adoption of Amendments
Following the passage of SB 99-154, the State Board of Education amended the rules on September 11, 2003, and finds that to meet the requirements therein, it is necessary to adopt these updated rules for endorsements appropriate for licensure to ensure that these are current and, additionally, in keeping with federal requirements. The statutory basis for these Rules is found in 22-2-109 (l)(g)(h)(i), C.R.S., State Board of Education - additional duties - teacher standards - principal standards; the rules for the Administration of the Educator Licensing Act of 1991, 2260.5-R-7.04 Review of License and Endorsement Standards. These Rules establish the standards and criteria for review of the endorsement standards for currency.The purpose of these amendments to the rules for the
Administration of Educator Licensing Act of 1991,   is to ensure that the licensing endorsements be performance-based, enabling educators to demonstrate proficiency and high-quality in their endorsement areas.
1.10   Statement of Basis and Purpose for Proposed Amendments
The statutory authority for the proposed amendments to these Rules is found in Sections 22-2-107(l)(c) and 22-60.5-101, et seq., C.R.S. The proposed amendments are necessitated by legislative amendments to the Educator Licensing Act of 1991, resulting from enactment of HB 99-1039 and HB 03-1114, with regard to educator fingerprinting, the denial, suspension, revocation, or annulment of licenses, and school district reporting requirements. Additionally, under the  Administration of the Educator Licensing Act of 1991  , during a review of current rules it was determined that several sections of the rules appear to be in conflict with Colorado revised statutes. The statutory basis for these rules is found in Section 22-2-109 (l)(g)(h)(i), C.R.S., State Board of Education - additional duties - teacher standards - principal standards; the rules for the  Administration of the Educator Licensing Act of 1991  . 2260.5-R-7.04 review of license and endorsement standards. The purpose of these amendments to the rules for the  Administration of Educator Licensing Act of 1991   is to ensure that Colorado State Board of Education's adopted rules are in compliance with state statute.
1.11  Statement of Basis and Purpose for Adoption of Amendments
The statutory authority for the proposed amendments to these Rules is found in sections 22-2-107(1)(c) and 22-60.5-101, et seq., C.R.S.  The proposed amendments adopted by the State Board of Education on December 9, 2004 are necessitated based on a review of Department Rules by Legislative Legal Services which determined that several sections of the rules appear to be in conflict with Colorado Revised Statutes. The statutory basis for these Rules is found in 22-2-109 (1)(g)(h)(i), C.R.S., State Board of Education – Additional Duties – Teacher Standards – Principal Standards; the Rules for the  Administration of the Educator Licensing Act of 1991,   2260.5-R-7.04 Review of License and Endorsement Standards. The purpose of these amendments to the Rules for the  Administration of Educator Licensing Act of 1991   is to ensure that Colorado State Board of Education’s adopted rules are in compliance with state statute.
1.12  Statement of Basis and Purpose for Amendment.
The statutory basis for amendments to these Rules adopted on November 10, 2005, is found in 22-2-107(1)(c), 22-2-109(1), and 22-60.5-101, et.seq., C.R.S. These amendments are required to conform to the enactment of HB 05-1026, which necessitates amendments to the Rules for the Administration of the Educator Licensing Act of 1991, C.R.S. 301-37. The amendments relate to requirements for the Alternative Principal Authorization, changes in the Rules for renewal activities for professional licensure, inactive status of licenses, changing the name of the Provisional License to Initial License, changing the name of the Temporary Authorization to Interim Authorization, and hiring of a person who holds an Alternative Teacher License. The amendments ensure that the Rules are in compliance with state statutes.
1.13  Statement of  Basis  and Purpose for Amendments.
The statutory authority for the amendments to these Rules is found in sections 22-2-107(1)(c) and 22-60.5-101, et seq., C.R.S.  The amendments are necessitated by legislative amendments to the Educator Licensing Act of 1991 resulting from enactment of SB 06-176, which changes educator fingerprint submission requirements and modifies the grounds for the denial, annulment, suspension or revocation of licenses.  In addition, the amendments clarify and improve language and correct technical errors. The purpose of these amendments to the Rules for the  Administration of the Educator Licensing Act of 1991  is to ensure that the Colorado State Board of Education’s adopted rules are in compliance with state statute.   Eff  03/02/2007
1.14  Statement of  Basis  and Purpose for Amendments.
The statutory authority for the amendments to these Rules is found in sections 22-2-107 (1) (c) and 22-60.5-101, et seq., C.R.S.  The purposes of these amendments to the Rules for the  Administration of the Educator Licensing Act of 1991  is to ensure that the Colorado State Board of Education’s adopted rules are in compliance with state statute, as requested by Legislative Legal Services with regard to initial principal licenses, alternative principal licenses, temporary educator eligibility, changes in titles of licenses and adjunct authorizations.   Eff  03/02/2007
1.15  Statement of Basis and Purpose of Amendments.
The statutory authority for the amendments to these Rules is found in sections 22-2-107 (1) (c) and 22-60.5-101, et seq., C.R.S.  The purposes of these amendments to the Rules for the Administration of the Educator Licensing Act of 1991 is to ensure that the Colorado State Board of Education’s adopted rules are in compliance with state statute, as requested by Legislative Legal Services with regard to denial, suspension, revocation, or annulment of licenses, and school district reporting requirements, necessitated by enactment of HB 08-1344 and SB 06-176.
Denial, Suspension, Revocation, or Annulment of Licenses and School District Reporting Requirements
15.00 (2) (d)  a license may be denied, suspended or revoked when the applicant or holder is or has ever been convicted of, pleads or has ever pled nolo contendere to or receives or has ever received a deferred sentence for a violation of any law of this state involving contributing to the delinquency of a minor, as described in section 18-6-701, C.R.S. misdemeanor, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court on the record to involve domestic violence, as defined in Section 18-6-800.3 (1) C.R.S., and the conviction is a second or subsequent conviction for the same offense; misdemeanor sexual assault, as described in Section 18-3-401 C.R.S.; misdemeanor unlawful sexual conduct as described in Section 18-3-404, C.R.S.; misdemeanor sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist, as described in Section 18-3-405.5 C.R.S.; misdemeanor child abuse, as described in Section 18-6-401, C.R.S.; or misdemeanor sexual exploitation of children, as described in Section 18-6-403, C.R.S.; or a crime under the laws of the United States, another state, a municipality of this state or another state, or any territory subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, the elements of which are substantially similar to one of the offenses described in this paragraph (d). 
15.00 (2) (j)  a license may be suspended when the holder without good cause, resigns or abandons his or her contracted position with a school district or fails or refuses to perform required services pursuant to an employment contract with a school district without giving written notice to the employing local board of education of his or her intent to terminate his or her employment contract for the succeeding academic year at least thirty days prior to the commencement of the succeeding academic year or the commencement of services under his or her employment contract or without giving written notice to the employing local board of education of his or her intent to terminate his or her employment contract for the current academic year at least thirty days prior to the date he or she intends to stop performing the services required by the employment contract.
15.05   Mandatory Reporting of Misconduct
15.05  (2)  The local board of education, charter school, board of cooperative services or its designee shall immediately notify the Department when an employee, of the district, charter school or BOCES has been dismissed or has resigned as a result of an allegation of unlawful behavior involving a child, including unlawful sexual behavior, which is supported by a preponderance of evidence. Such notification shall occur within ten business days after the employee’s dismissal or resignation. The local board, charter school, BOCES or its designee shall provide any information requested by the Department concerning the circumstances of the employee's dismissal or resignation.