Colorado State Personnel Standards

Colorado State Personnel Standards

Audiologist

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Audiologist
License/Certificate Audiology License
State Department Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Speech-Language
State Department Hyperlink https://dpo.colorado.gov/Audiology
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate in audiology
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Praxis Audiology (5343); Qualifying score: 162
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Qualified personnel to deliver Part C audiology services include audiologists, speech-language pathologists, or special education specialists: deaf/hard of hearing.
Additional requirements specific for schools? School Audiologist (Special Services Provider License) also required; Practicum or internship required in school setting equivalent to a minimum of eight weeks, full time.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist
License/Certificate Special Education Specialist: Deaf/Hard of Hearing License (Birth-21)
State Department Colorado Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/sd-hearing_tod
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 21 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Master’s Degree in Special Education/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Praxis Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (5272);Qualifying score: 160
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Qualified personnel to deliver Part C audiology services include audiologists, speech-language pathologists, or special education specialists: deaf/hard of hearing.
Qualified personnel to deliver Part C sign language and cued language services include special education specialists in deaf/hard of hearing.

Early Childhood Educator

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Early Childhood Educator
License/Certificate Early Childhood Education Endorsement
State Department Colorado Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/endorsementrequirements 
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 8 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework 24 semester hours of college-level coursework that meet the minimum requirements below:
  • Child Growth Development and Learning (3 semester hours)
  • Child Observation and Assessment (3 semester hours)
  • Family and Community Partnerships in ECE (3 semester hours)
  • Guidance in ECE (3 semester hours)
  • Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children (3 semester hours)
  • Teaching Practices in ECE - Literacy (3 semester hours)
  • Teaching Practices in ECE - Development (3 semester hours)
Licensure Dependent on an Exam?
PRAXIS Education of Young Children (5024); Qualifying score: 160
PRAXIS Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205); Qualifying score: 159
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Alternative Applicant: Alternative Licensure Programs offer an accelerated route into the classroom for career changers and recent college graduates who have subject matter expertise but lack formal education coursework or training. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates can apply for an Initial Colorado Teacher's License. Prior to acceptance into an Alternative Teacher Licensing Program, applicants must be issued a Statement of Eligibility from the Colorado Department of Education. During an alternative program, you will be employed full-time while you receive instruction, mentoring, supervision, and assessment of proficiency to meet the specific performance-based standards for teachers or principals. Programs are provided by approved Designated Agencies that meet Colorado standards for obtaining initial licensure.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Qualified personnel to deliver Part C developmental intervention services and assistive technology services include Early Childhood Educators.

Early Childhood Credential

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Early Childhood
License/Certificate Early Childhood Teacher Certification
State Department Colorado Office of Early Childhood Division of Human Services
State Department Hyperlink https://www.coloradoofficeofearlychildhood.com/OEC_Providers?p=Providers&s=Early-Childhood-Teacher-Certification&lang=en
Type of License/Certificate Certification
Age Range Birth - 8 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Associates degree minimally, from a regionally accredited college/university in Early Childhood Education, which must include at least two three-semester hour ECE courses one of which must be in either Intro to ECE or Guidance Strategies.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? New ECE professionals require Level III credential (36-50 points; a combination of formal education, ongoing professional development, and experience
Licensure Dependent on an Exam?
The model for the Colorado Early Childhood Credentials provides a common system for all Colorado early childhood professionals to document and quantify their professional growth and accomplishments, and to define and advance their profession. Points are awarded across three areas: 1) Formal Education, 2) Ongoing Professional Development, and 3) Experience. Varying levels across all four areas are awarded points, and points are totaled across all areas, and 'extra points' are awarded in an additional area of Demonstration of Competencies. The total points place a professional within a level of designation (Levels I-VI).

Early Childhood Special Educator

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement (birth - age 8)
State Department Colorado Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/earlychildhoodspecialeducationendorsementrules
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 8 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution in early childhood special education that includes student teaching and practicum.
License specific coursework Curricular content knowledge (builds upon rule 4.01(8)): Beginning early childhood special education professionals use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize
learning for individuals with exceptionalities.
5.09(3)(a) Beginning early childhood special education professionals are knowledgeable of;
5.09(3)(a)(i) concepts of universal design for learning;
5.09(3)(a)(ii) theories and research that form the basis of developmental and academic curricula and instructional strategies for infants and young children; and
5.09(3)(a)(iii) developmental and academic content.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Praxis Special Education: Early Childhood/Early Intervention (5692); Qualifying score: 159.
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Alternative Applicant: Alternative Licensure Programs offer an accelerated route into the classroom for career changers and recent college graduates who have subject matter expertise but lack formal education coursework or training. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates can apply for an Initial Colorado Teacher's License. Prior to acceptance into an Alternative Teacher Licensing Program, applicants must be issued a Statement of Eligibility from the Colorado Department of Education. During an alternative program, you will be employed full-time while you receive instruction, mentoring, supervision, and assessment of proficiency to meet the specific performance-based standards for teachers or principals. Programs are provided by approved Designated Agencies that meet Colorado standards for obtaining initial licensure.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Qualified personnel to deliver Part C social and emotional services as well as assistive technology services and developmental intervention services include Early Childhood Special Educators.

Family Therapist

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Family Therapist
License/Certificate Marriage & Family Therapist License
State Department Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations, State Board of Marriage and Family Therapist Examiners
State Department Hyperlink https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Marriage_Family_Therapy
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's or Doctoral Degree
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. A jurisprudence examination administered by the division. 2. The examination in marriage and family therapy shall be the marriage and family therapy examination administered under contract with the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB)
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Master's degree and state license and education or experience in early childhood mental health

Nurse

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Nurse
License/Certificate Registered Nurse (RN)
State Department Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations, Board of Nursing
State Department Hyperlink https://www.colorado.gov/dora/Nursing
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? For professional Nursing Education Programs, a minimum of seven hundred fifty (750) clinical hours.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? National Council Licensure Examination NCLEX-RN
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Qualified personnel for Part C Nursing Services includes Registered Nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Child Health Associates.
Qualified personnel to deliver some activities pertaining to social and emotional services include Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses.
Additional requirements specific for schools? School Nurse Option 1 Bachelor's of Science in Nursing Valid Colorado Registered Nurse License Option 2 Bachelor's degree in a related field Current national certification in school nursing Three years of experience in school nursing Valid Colorado Registered Nurse License Colorado Department of Education (for School Nurse License)

Occupational Therapist

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Occupational Therapist
License/Certificate Occupational Therapy
State Department Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Occupational Therapist Registration
State Department Hyperlink https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Occupational_Therapy
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work?
An applicant for licensure must have successfully completed supervised fieldwork required by the education program where the applicant met the educational requirements outlined in this Rule. The minimum period of supervised fieldwork that met generally recognized past accreditation standards in effect at the time of the applicant’s graduation.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam?
The examination developed by NBCOT is approved. An applicant must achieve at least the passing score as determined by NBCOT in order to be eligible for licensure.
Additional requirements specific for schools? State License required for School OT Endorsement Special Services Provider License, School Occupational Therapist Endorsement; Internship or supervised field experience required

Physical Therapist

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Physical Therapist
License/Certificate Physical Therapy License
State Department Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations, State Physical Therapy Board
State Department Hyperlink https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Physical_Therapy
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Not Specified
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? To obtain a Colorado license to practice Physical Therapy, you must take and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). All Colorado applicants must receive a passing score on the NPTE to obtain licensure by examination.
Additional requirements specific for schools? State License required for School PT Endorsement Special Services Provider License, School Physical Therapist Endorsement; Practicum required.

Psychologist

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Psychologist
License/Certificate Psychologist License
State Department Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations, Board of Psychologist Examiners
State Department Hyperlink https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Psychologist
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework (A) The required doctoral-level study and doctoral degree were obtained from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning; (B) The program in psychology stood as a coherent and recognizable entity within the institution, offering an integrated and organized sequence of study planned to provide appropriate training for the practice of psychology; (C) There was an identifiable full-time faculty, with an individual responsible for the program who was a full-time faculty member and who met the requirements for approval as a supervisor or a person who presents proof satisfactory to the Board, that at the time of serving as the faculty member, s/he possessed essentially the same education, experience, and training as that necessary to qualify for licensure under the Act. (D) The program had an identifiable body of students who were matriculated in that pro-gram for a degree; (E) The doctoral program included examination and grading procedures designed to evaluate the degree of mastery of the subject matter by the students;(F) The curriculum encompassed a minimum of three (3) academic years of full-time graduate study including the following substantive content areas: (1) Professional ethics and standards;(2) Research design and methodology: techniques of data analysis, inferential statistics, descriptive statistics, research implementation, program evaluation and assessment; (3) Theories and methods of effective intervention: consultation, supervision, evaluation of treatment efficacy; (4) Theories and methods of assessment and diagnosis; (5) Biological bases of behavior: physiological psychology, neuropsychology, sensation and perception, comparative psychology, psychopharmacology; (6) Cognitive-affective bases of behavior: learning, thinking, motivation, and emotion; (7) Social bases of behavior: social psychology, group processes, organizational and systems theory; (8) Individual differences: personality theory, human development, abnormal psychology; (9) Issues of cultural and individual diversity. (10) If the course titles as stated on the transcript do not clearly reflect the subject matters listed above, the applicant must document the course or combination of courses in which the material was covered.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Practicum. The minimum practicum experience is 400 hours, of which at least 150 hours must have been in direct service experience and at least seventy-five hours in formally scheduled supervision. Internship. To be acceptable, internships in clinical psychology must include at least a full-time experience, either for one full-time calendar year or for two half-time calendar years and must encompass at least 1,500 experience hours. To be acceptable, school and counseling psychology internships must include at least a full-time experience, for either an academic or calendar year or for two half-time academic or calendar years and must encompass at least 1,500 experience hours. To be acceptable, internships must be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or be substantially equivalent when compared with the guidelines and principles for accreditation of internships published by the APA.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam?
Jurisprudence Examination. Applicants shall be required to pass a Board-developed jurisprudence examination. National Examination. The examination covering the general areas of knowledge in psychology shall be administered under contract with the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Qualified individuals to deliver Part C psychological services and social and emotional services include Clinical Psychologists and School Psychologists

School Psychologist

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline School Psychologist
License/Certificate Special Services Provider License: School Psychologist Endorsement
State Department Colorado Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/endorsementrequirements
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 21 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work?
Sucessfully completed practicums (consisting of a sequence of closely supervised oncampus or field-based activities, designed to develop and evaluate a candidate's mastery of distinct professional skills, consistent with program and/or course goals); successfully completed an internship (consisting of a full-time experience over one year, or half-time over two consecutive years, with a minimum of 1200 clock-hours, of which at least 600 hours must be in a school setting which requires a candidate to demonstrate,
under supervision, the ability to integrate knowledge and skills in all the professional practice standards, and to provide a wide range of outcome-based school psychological services; and may include, beyond the 600 hours in the school setting, other acceptable
internship experiences including in private, state-approved educational programs or in other appropriate mental health or education-related programs)
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Passed the National School Psychology Examination
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Qualified individuals to deliver Part C psychological services and social and emotional services include Clinical Psychologists and School Psychologists.

Social Worker

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Social Worker
State Department Colorado Board of Social Work Examiners, Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies
State Department Hyperlink https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Social_Work
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement
Master's or a doctoral degree in social work from an accredited Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) program.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam?
  1. Complete the Jurisprudence Exam
  2. Submit confirmation of a passing score on the ASWB Advanced, or Clinical examination.

All ASWB examination scores are reported as pass/fail, with the number of questions needed to pass the examination, and because test questions change from one administration to the next, statistical adjustments must be made to account for small differences in the overall difficulty of individual examinations.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? For licensed clinical social worker applicants, the applicant attests that s/he had practiced social work for at least two years under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker.
Additional requirements specific for schools? For Schools -- School Social Worker Special Services Provider License

Speech Language Pathologist

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Speech-Language Pathologist
License/Certificate Speech-Language Pathologist License
State Department Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification
State Department Hyperlink https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Speech_Language_Pathology
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's degree or higher in communication sciences and disorders
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework 1. The school speech-language pathologist is knowledgeable about basic human communication 2. The school speech ­language pathologist is knowledgeable about the principles and methods of prevention of communication and swallowing disorders for children/students (birth-­21) 3. The school speech ­language pathologist is knowledgeable about principles and methods of evaluation of communication, and communication disorders, for ages birth-21. 4. The school speech-­language pathologist is knowledgeable about state­ of ­the ­art techniques, procedures, and tools for intervention and remediation of communication disorders, including augmentative/alternative/assistive technology. 5. The school speech ­language pathologist is knowledgeable about ethical conduct and professional development.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? An applicant is eligible for certification by examination only if the applicant: 1. has passed the national examination approved by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its successor association; 2. has passed an examination that, in the Director's determination, is substantially equivalent to the examination approved by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its successor association.
Additional requirements specific for schools? Special Services License for Speech-Language Pathologist (from Colorado Education Department) have successfully passed a national state-approved speech-language pathologist specialty area test; have successfully completed a practicum or internship, with children/students, ages birth-21, in a school setting, equivalent to a minimum of 8 weeks full time, under the supervision of a professionally licensed school speech-language pathologist. For Special Services License - exempt from State License (DORA) but CCC required.

Vision Specialist

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Vision Specialist
License/Certificate Special Education Specialist: Visually Impaired Endorsement (Birth-21)
State Department Colorado Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/endorsementrequirements
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 21 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Master’s or higher degree in special education visual impairment or its equivalent (as determined by the Department) from an accepted institution of higher education; have completed an approved program for the preparation of special education specialists: visually impaired including prescribed field experience
requirements.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Completion of an approved program from a regionally accredited institution for special education specialists: visually impaired that includes prescribed field experience requirements.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Program for Licensing Assessments for Colorado Educators PLACE Content Assessment Special Education: Severe Needs-Visually Impaired pass:220

Early Childhood Credentials

Mobile Devices Scroll Across
Discipline Early Childhood
License/Certificate Early Childhood Teacher Certification
State Department Colorado Office of Early Childhood Division of Human Services
State Department Hyperlink Colorado Office of Early Childhood | Oec_providers | Providers
Type of License/Certificate Credential
Degree Level Requirement Associates degree minimally, from a regionally accredited college/university in Early Childhood Education, which must include at least two three-semester hour ECE courses one of which must be in either Intro to ECE or Guidance Strategies.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? New ECE professionals require Level III credentials (36-50 points; a combination of formal education, ongoing professional development, and experience.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The model for the Colorado Early Childhood Credentials provides a common system for all Colorado early childhood professionals to document and quantify their professional growth and accomplishments, and to define and advance their profession.  Points are awarded across three areas: 1) Formal Education, 2) Ongoing Professional Development, and 3) Experience. Varying levels across all four areas are awarded points, and points are totaled across all areas, and 'extra points' are awarded in an additional area of Demonstration of Competencies.  The total points place a professional within a level of designation (Levels I-VI).