Educator Licensing
Professional license extension increased to 7 years
Recently passed Colorado House Bill 21-1104 extends all professional teacher, special services, principal and administrator licenses from five to seven years. Beginning July 1, all applications for professional licenses will be issued for seven years and all active professional licenses will automatically be extended two years, (as will any professional licenses issued in response to renewal applications already submitted).
This two-year extension also delays the deadlines for meeting any required English learner, special education and behavior health professional development activities at the time of renewal, thus granting educators additional time to meet these requirements. Visit the Educator Professional Development Requirements webpage for more information.
Please keep in mind that READ Act requirements do not pertain to licensure so this extension does not apply to them. However, the deadline for individuals teaching reading in a K-3 classroom to meet this requirement has been extended to the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. Visit the K-3 Teacher Evidence-Based Reading Training Requirements webpage for more information about the READ Act and how individuals may fulfill its expectations.