Professional License Renewal

You must provide evidence of six semester (nine quarter) hours of credit or 90 clock hours of professional development activities. No more than this is required. The requirements for the renewal of a Professional License were changed by the 1997 Legislature by House Bill 1058. Prior to that, the original bill called for renewal of a Professional License through "professional development activities."

An applicant for Professional License renewal shall meet the following requirements:

You must choose six semester (nine quarter) hours of college or university credit OR 90 clock hours of professional development activities based on the Colorado Professional Educators Standards (at the end of this booklet) OR a combination of the credit and activities.

You may select from the following categories. The activities you choose must be directly related to the Colorado Professional Educators Standards.

• Involvement in school reform
  Active participation in the formulation of policies or practices leading to school or district improvement, such as service in local accountability and reform efforts or curriculum, standards, and assessments development.
  Evidence: Reports, materials, or products developed

• College or university credit Credit from a four-year or graduate, regionally accredited college or university or a regionally accredited Colorado junior or community college; minimum of six semester or nine quarter hours
  Evidence: Official transcripts

• Internships
  Advanced field experiences offered as part of graduate study or other professional training designed to acquire knowledge or enhance the skills of the educator
  Evidence: Official transcripts or verification by a supervisor as evidence of completion

• Educational travel
  Travel experiences designed to enhance knowledge and skills; travel time to and from the destination may not be included in the accumulated clock hours
  Evidence: Reports, materials, or products developed

• Inservice education
  Successful completion of inservice activities sponsored by a Colorado school district, accredited nonpublic school, or BOCES (Board of Cooperative Services); you may earn six semester hours of professional development in this manner (one semester hour is equal to 15 clock hours of participation)
  Evidence: Proof of completion issued by the inservice provider plus a statement for each activity explaining how the activity is related to the Professional Standards

• Ongoing professional development or training
  Ongoing professional development and training experiences may include, but are not limited to, attendance or presentation at professional conferences; service on statewide or national education task forces or boards; professional research and publication; supervision of student teachers and interns; mentorships; pursuit of National Board Certification; professional, technical, or occupational training.
  Evidence: Publications or research produced, copies of national certifications, transcripts, testimonials, or verification by one's supervisor

The educator does not have to consult with anyone, including one's immediate supervisor, on the implementation of professional development activities. You determine which activities you want to do and how they relate to the Professional Standards. After you complete the activities, you write a summary of what you did and collect and keep the evidence to show you completed them.

The 1991 law required you to develop a portfolio notebook with annual goals and to consult with your supervisor. Neither of these requirements are in effect now because of the changes passed as part of HB 1058 in 1997. You can complete the activities any time during the five years in which your license is in effect leading up to its expiration.

Upon completion of the renewal activities you've selected, you should submit, at least six months in advance of the expiration date of the license, the renewal form and fees. It's not required that you submit these materials six months ahead of your license expiration date – but it's wise.

If you have already been working on activities to renew a current Professional License, you should continue to work on these activities and keep records of your accomplishments. You will no longer have to submit a portfolio to CDE for renewal of your license. However, you will have to summarize your accomplishments, as outlined above.

Three-tier Licensing System
Induction Programs
Standards for Professional Educators