CO Code § 22-60.5-111 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 22 - Education|Article 60.5 - Colorado Educator Licensing Act|Part 1 - General Provisions|§ 22-60.5-111. Authorization - Types - Applicants' Qualifications - Rules

  Pursuant to the rules of the state board of education, the department of education may issue the authorizations specified in this section to persons of good moral character who meet the qualifications prescribed by this section and by the rules of the state board of education.    Adjunct instructor authorization.   An adjunct instructor authorization certifies that a person is a specialist or an expert in a content area, although the person has not received formal training in education. A school district or charter school may employ a person who has an adjunct instructor authorization to provide students with highly specialized academic enrichment that is supportive of required content areas, to address recruiting challenges, and to establish a diverse workforce. The department of education may issue an adjunct instructor authorization to a person who applies to the department, providing such information as may be required by rule of the state board of education, including, at a minimum, documentation demonstrating the following:   The applicant possesses outstanding talent or demonstrates specific abilities and knowledge in a particular area of specialization;    A school district board of education or superintendent or the principal of a charter school has requested the applicant's services and requires the applicant's services;    The potential employing school district or charter school has documented evidence of the applicant's outstanding talent or specific abilities and particular knowledge of the area of specialization; and    The applicant has been employed for at least five years in the area of specialization or holds a bachelor's degree or higher degree in the area of specialization.       An adjunct instructor authorization is valid for three years. The department of education may renew an adjunct instructor authorization for succeeding three-year periods at the employing school district's or charter school's request. To request renewal, the employing school district or charter school, at a minimum, shall submit to the department of education documented evidence of continuing need within the school district or charter school for the adjunct instructor's services.    A person who holds an adjunct instructor authorization may be employed under the authorization only by the school district or charter school that initially requested the person's services pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(II) of this section. A person who holds an adjunct instructor authorization and is employed by a school district may teach only under the general supervision of a licensed professional teacher. A school district or a charter school shall not employ a person who holds an adjunct instructor authorization as a full-time teacher. Notwithstanding this subsection (2)(c), a rural school district may employ a person who holds an adjunct instructor authorization as a full-time teacher only if there are no qualified, licensed applicants for the position.       Special services intern authorization.   The department of education may issue an intern authorization to an applicant who holds at least a bachelor's degree from an accepted institution of higher education and who is enrolled in an approved program of preparation for a special services provider that requires completion of an internship. A person employed under an intern authorization shall work under the supervision of a person who holds a professional special services provider license. A school district may pay a person who is employed under an intern authorization. An intern authorization is valid for one academic year and may not be renewed.    Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3)(a) of this section to the contrary, the department of education may renew an intern authorization for one academic year if the special services intern is employed by a school district or board of cooperative services and the intern has not completed the approved program of preparation for a special services provider due to unforseen circumstances or hardship.       Emergency authorization.   The department may issue an emergency authorization to an applicant who is enrolled in an approved preparation program but has not yet met the requirements for an initial educator license or a school speech-language pathology assistant authorization. The department may issue an emergency authorization if:   A school district requests the emergency authorization to employ a nonlicensed teacher, principal, administrator, or special services provider, including but not limited to an unauthorized school speech-language pathology assistant who has a bachelor's degree in:   Speech, language, and hearing sciences;    Communications disorders-speech sciences; or    Any other field if the unauthorized school speech-language pathology assistant has completed a minimum number of credits of course work in speech, language, and hearing sciences, which minimum number of credits is established by rules promulgated by the state board of education pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection (10) of this section;       The requesting school district submits to the department documented evidence of a demonstrated need for specific and essential educational services for students that the applicant would provide and that would otherwise be unavailable to students in the school district due to a shortage of licensed educators or authorized speech-language pathology assistants with appropriate endorsements; and    The state board of education determines that employment of the applicant is essential to preservation of the school district's instructional program and that establishment of a one-year or two-year alternative teacher preparation program within the school district is not a practicable solution for resolution of the demonstrated shortage.       An emergency authorization is valid for one year. If the state board of education determines that the employing school district continues to require the services of the person holding the emergency authorization, based on evidence submitted by the school district demonstrating the continued existence of the hardship circumstances described in subparagraphs (II) and (III) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4), the state board of education may renew the emergency authorization for one additional year only.      A school district that employs a person who holds an emergency authorization may provide an induction program for the person, as described in section 22-60.5-204, 22-60.5-213, 22-60.5-304, or 22-60.5-309, whichever is applicable. If the person successfully completes the induction program while employed under the emergency authorization, the person may apply completion of the induction program toward meeting the requirements for a professional educator license. (c) (I) A school district that employs a person who holds an emergency authorization may provide an induction program for the person, as described in section 22-60.5-204, 22-60.5-213, 22-60.5-304, or 22-60.5-309, whichever is applicable. If the person successfully completes the induction program while employed under the emergency authorization, the person may apply completion of the induction program toward meeting the requirements for a professional educator license.    If a person who is employed under an emergency authorization successfully completes an induction program and completes the requirements prescribed in section 22-60.5-201 (1)(b)(I), 22-60.5-210 (1)(a)(I), 22-60.5-301 (1)(a)(I), or 22-60.5-306 (1)(a)(I), whichever is applicable, for an initial educator license while employed under the emergency authorization, the department of education may issue a professional educator license to the person upon application.    The requesting school district provides documented evidence of a demonstrated need for specific and essential educational services that the applicant would provide but that would otherwise be unavailable to students due to a shortage of licensed educators with the appropriate endorsement.          Temporary educator eligibility authorization.   The department of education may issue a temporary educator eligibility authorization to a person who is enrolled in an approved program of preparation for a special education educator or who is working to attain a special services provider initial license but who has not yet met the requirements for the applicable initial educator license. The department may issue the authorization under the following circumstances:    An applicant for a temporary educator eligibility authorization shall:   Be continuously enrolled in an approved or alternative program of preparation leading to a bachelor's degree or higher degree from an accepted institution of higher education; or    Be enrolled in an approved or alternative special education or special education director preparation program offered by an accepted institution of higher education; or    Be approved for a temporary educator eligibility authorization based on evidence that documents compliance with requirements specified by rule of the state board of education.       In addition to the circumstances and criteria specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (5), the department of education may issue a temporary educator eligibility authorization to a special services provider who has met the minimum degree requirements necessary to practice in his or her area of specialization, but who has not completed the necessary national content examination or school practicum in the area of specialization. A school district may employ a person who holds a temporary educator eligibility authorization issued pursuant to this paragraph (c) only if the person is under the supervision of a professionally licensed person in the same area of specialization.    A temporary educator eligibility authorization is valid for one year and may be renewed twice.      A school district that employs a person who holds a temporary educator eligibility authorization may provide an induction program for the person, as described in section 22-60.5-204, 22-60.5-213, or 22-60.5-309, whichever is applicable. If the person successfully completes the induction program while employed under the temporary educator eligibility authorization, the person may apply completion of the induction program toward meeting the requirements for a professional educator license. (e) (I) A school district that employs a person who holds a temporary educator eligibility authorization may provide an induction program for the person, as described in section 22-60.5-204, 22-60.5-213, or 22-60.5-309, whichever is applicable. If the person successfully completes the induction program while employed under the temporary educator eligibility authorization, the person may apply completion of the induction program toward meeting the requirements for a professional educator license.    If a person who is employed under a temporary educator eligibility authorization successfully completes an induction program and completes the requirements prescribed in section 22-60.5-201 (1)(b)(I), 22-60.5-210 (1)(a)(I), or 22-60.5-306 (1)(a)(I), whichever is applicable, for an initial educator license while employed under the temporary educator eligibility authorization, the department of education may issue a professional educator license to the person upon application.          Substitute authorization. A substitute authorization authorizes a school district to employ a person to teach on a substitute basis. A substitute authorization shall be valid for such periods of time as specified in, and may be renewed as authorized in, rules adopted by the state board of education.    Interim authorization.   An interim authorization authorizes a school district to employ a person who is certified or licensed, or is eligible for certification or licensure, as a teacher, principal, or administrator in another state and who has not successfully completed the assessment of professional competencies to obtain an initial license under section 22-60.5-201 (1)(b), 22-60.5-301 (1)(a), or 22-60.5-306 (1)(a) but who meets the other requirements for an initial license specified in said sections. An interim authorization is valid for one year, and the department of education may renew the authorization for one additional year. The employing school district may include the period during which a person works under an interim authorization toward the three full years of continuous employment necessary to cease being a probationary teacher pursuant to section 22-63-103 (7).    A school district that employs a person who holds an interim authorization may provide an induction program for the person, as described in section 22-60.5-204, 22-60.5-304, or 22-60.5-309, whichever is applicable. If the person successfully completes the induction program while employed under the interim authorization, the person may apply completion of the induction program toward meeting the requirements for a professional educator license. (7.5) Military spouse interim authorization.   The department of education may issue a military spouse interim authorization that authorizes a school district to employ a person who:   Is certified or licensed, or is eligible for certification or licensure, as a teacher, special services provider, principal, or administrator in another state and who has not successfully completed the assessment of professional competencies to obtain an initial license under section 22-60.5-201 (1)(b), 22-60.5-301 (1)(a), or 22-60.5-306 (1)(a) but who meets the other requirements for an initial license specified in said sections; and    Is a military spouse.       Prior to issuing an authorization under this section, the department of education may contract with a qualified third party to work with a military spouse to meet the requirements of section 22-60.5-103 concerning a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.    The Colorado bureau of investigation shall return the results of each fingerprint-based criminal history record check submitted pursuant to this section to the department of education no later than sixty days following receipt of the request.    A military spouse interim authorization is valid for one year, and the department of education may renew the authorization for one additional year.    The employing school district shall include the period during which a person works under a military spouse interim authorization toward the three full years of continuous employment necessary to cease being a probationary teacher pursuant to section 22-63-103 (7).    A school district that employs a person who holds a military spouse interim authorization may provide an induction program for the person, as described in section 22-60.5-204, 22-60.5-304, or 22-60.5-309, whichever is applicable. If the person successfully completes the induction program while employed under the military spouse interim authorization, he or she may apply the completion of the induction program toward meeting the requirements for a professional educator license.    The department of education shall issue a military spouse interim authorization to a person who meets the criteria of this subsection (7.5) no later than ninety days after the receipt of the initial application.    For the purposes of this section, “military spouse” means a spouse of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States who has been transferred or is scheduled to be transferred to Colorado, is domiciled in Colorado, or has moved to Colorado on a permanent change-of-station basis. (7.7) Exchange educator interim authorization.   The department of education may issue an exchange educator interim authorization that authorizes a school district to assign a person who is a participant in a district-recognized educator exchange program and is certified or licensed, or is eligible for certification or licensure, as a teacher, special services provider, principal, or administrator in another country.    Prior to issuing an authorization under this section, the department of education may contract with a qualified third party to work with an exchange educator to meet the requirements of section 22-60.5-103 concerning a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.    The Colorado bureau of investigation shall return the results of each fingerprint-based criminal history record check submitted pursuant to this section to the department of education no later than sixty days following receipt of the request.    An exchange educator interim authorization is valid for one year, and the department of education may renew the authorization for one additional year.    The department of education shall issue an exchange educator interim authorization to a person who meets the criteria of this subsection (7.7) no later than ninety days after the receipt of the initial application.             (Deleted by amendment, L. 2009, (SB 09-160), ch. 292, p. 1448, § 3, effective May 21, 2009.)    Career and technical education authorization.   The department of education may issue an initial career and technical education authorization to a person who meets the minimum qualifications that the state board for community colleges and occupational education adopts pursuant to section 23-60-304 (3)(a), C.R.S. An initial career and technical education authorization is valid for three years and may not be renewed.    The department of education may issue a professional career and technical education authorization to a person who meets the criteria that the state board for community colleges and occupational education adopts pursuant to section 23-60-304 (3)(a), C.R.S. A professional career and technical education authorization is valid for five years. The department of education may renew a professional career and technical education authorization for succeeding five-year periods when the person holding the authorization completes the renewal requirements that the state board for community colleges and occupational education adopts pursuant to section 23-60-304 (3)(a), C.R.S.       School speech-language pathology assistant authorization.   The department of education may issue a school speech-language pathology assistant authorization to a person who meets the criteria specified by rule of the state board of education, which at a minimum shall include:   (A) Completion of at least a bachelor's degree, which degree is from an accepted institution of higher education, in speech communication, speech-language pathology, or communication disorders-speech sciences, or a bachelor's degree in any other field if the unauthorized school speech-language pathology assistant has completed a minimum number of credits of course work in speech, language, and hearing sciences, which minimum number of credits is established by rules promulgated by the state board of education pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection (10) of this section.    Successful completion of a school speech-language pathology assistant program that:   Meets or exceeds recommended guidelines established by a national association of speech-language-hearing professionals; and    Includes a requirement that each student complete at least one hundred clock hours of a school-based practicum under the supervision of a nationally certified speech-language pathologist who resides or works within Colorado or within a reasonable commuting distance to Colorado, which supervision may be performed electronically via remote interactive technology; and       (Deleted by amendment, L. 2010, (HB 10-1034), ch. 116, p. 391, § 1, effective August 11, 2010.)    Demonstrated knowledge and skills in competencies specified by rule of the state board of education.       A school speech-language pathology assistant authorization is valid for five years. The department of education may renew the authorization for succeeding five-year periods upon presentation of documented evidence of completion of content-related renewal requirements established by rule of the state board of education, which requirements shall include, but not be limited to, continuing education requirements.    On or before November 1, 2010, the state board of education shall promulgate rules establishing a minimum number of credits of course work in speech, language, and hearing sciences that a person with a bachelor's degree must complete for the purposes of sub-subparagraph (C) of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of this section and of sub-subparagraph (A) of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (10).       Educational interpreter authorization. The department of education may issue an educational interpreter authorization to a person to allow the school district to employ the person to provide teaching and interpreting services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. To receive an educational interpreter authorization, a person shall comply with the criteria established by rule of the state board of education. An educational interpreter authorization is valid for five years. The department of education may renew the authorization for succeeding five-year periods upon submittal of documented evidence of completion of content-related renewal requirements established by rule of the state board of education.    Junior reserve officer training corps instructor authorization. The department of education may issue a junior reserve officer training corps instructor authorization, referred to in this subsection (12) as a “JROTC instructor authorization”, to a person who provides documented evidence of junior reserve officer training corps certification based on successful acquisition of service-specific junior reserve officer training corps program director certification or completion of service-specific junior reserve officer training corps preparation program requirements, including but not limited to, completion of a service-specified junior reserve officer training corps certification training program. A JROTC instructor authorization is valid for five years. The department of education may renew a JROTC instructor authorization for succeeding five-year periods when the authorization holder submits documented evidence of service-specific junior reserve officer training corps recertification following successful completion of a service-specific junior reserve officer training corps recertification course or such other requirements as the applicable branch of military service may stipulate.    Adult basic education authorization. The department of education may issue an adult basic education authorization to an applicant who provides documented evidence of adult basic education training and experience. A school district may employ a person who holds an adult basic education authorization to work as an adult basic education instructor in an adult education program operated by the school district before, during, or after regular school hours. An adult basic education authorization is valid for five years from the date of issuance. The department of education may renew the adult basic education authorization for successive five-year periods upon receipt of documented evidence that the person holding the authorization has completed additional adult basic education training or practice and any other renewal requirements specified by rule of the state board of education.    Principal authorization.   The department may issue a principal authorization to a person who does not hold a principal license but who holds an earned baccalaureate or higher degree from an accepted institution of higher education and who will be employed pursuant to the provisions of section 22-60.5-305.5 by a school district, charter school, or nonpublic school while completing an individualized alternative principal program or an alternative principal program approved pursuant to section 22-60.5-305.5. If the person is completing an individualized alternative principal program, the program must be approved by the state board of education as provided in this subsection (14). A school district may employ a person who holds a principal authorization to perform the duties of a principal or a vice-principal in a school, so long as the person who holds the authorization is under the supervision of a professional principal licensee.    To receive a principal authorization, a person, in collaboration with a school district, charter school, nonpublic school, or the institute, shall submit to the department of education documentation that includes:   (A) If the person is completing an individualized alternative principal program, the course work, practicums, and other educational requirements, identified by the person and the collaborating school district, charter school, nonpublic school, or institute, that will comprise the person's individualized alternative principal program and that the person will complete while the person is employed under the principal authorization; or    A letter from the collaborating school district or charter school stating the school district's, charter school's, or nonpublic school's intention to employ the applicant as a principal or a vice-principal upon issuance of the principal authorization; and    Any additional documentation required by rule of the state board of education.       At a minimum, a person's individualized alternative principal program shall ensure that:   The person receives information, experience, and training and develops skills comparable to the information, experience, training, and skills possessed by a person who qualifies for an initial principal license as provided in section 22-60.5-301 (1)(a);    The person receives coaching and mentoring from one or more licensed principals and administrators and continuing performance-based assessment of the person's skills development; except that, if the person participates in an individualized alternative principal program offered by a nonpublic school, the person must receive coaching and mentoring from one or more principals and administrators who have three or more years of experience in a nonpublic school;    The person demonstrates professional competencies in subject matter areas as specified by rule of the state board of education pursuant to section 22-60.5-303; and    The person receives education and training that provides the person with an overview of Title II of the federal “Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990”, 42 U.S.C. sec. 12101 et seq., as amended, and its implementing regulations; section 504 of the federal “Rehabilitation Act of 1973”, 29 U.S.C. sec. 701 et seq., as amended, and its implementing regulations; the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act”, 20 U.S.C. sec. 1400 et seq., as amended, and its implementing regulations; individualized education programs; and child find and that teaches effective special education classroom practices, including but not limited to inclusive learning environments.       If the state board of education determines a person has submitted the documentation described in subsection (14)(b) of this section and the person's individualized alternative principal program meets the requirements specified in subsection (14)(c) of this section, the state board of education shall approve the individualized alternative principal program and the department of education shall issue the principal authorization to the person. If the department confirms that a person has submitted the documentation described in subsection (14)(b) of this section and the person is enrolled and participating in an alternative principal program approved pursuant to section 22-60.5-305.5, the department shall issue the principal authorization to the person. A principal authorization is valid for three years and may not be renewed.      A school district, charter school, or nonpublic school that employs a person who holds a principal authorization may provide an induction program for the person, as described in section 22-60.5-304. If the person successfully completes the induction program while employed under the principal authorization, the person may apply completion of the induction program toward meeting the requirements for a professional principal license. (e) (I) A school district, charter school, or nonpublic school that employs a person who holds a principal authorization may provide an induction program for the person, as described in section 22-60.5-304. If the person successfully completes the induction program while employed under the principal authorization, the person may apply completion of the induction program toward meeting the requirements for a professional principal license.    If a person who is employed under a principal authorization successfully completes an induction program and completes the individualized alternative principal program or alternative principal program while employed under the principal authorization, the department of education may issue a professional principal license to the person upon application.          Native American language and culture instruction authorization.   The department may issue a Native American language and culture instruction authorization to an individual under the following circumstances:   If the individual qualifies for an adjunct instructor authorization pursuant to subsection (2) of this section in the area of native languages; or    If an individual cannot be identified who meets the criteria of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), the employing school district may allow an individual to apply to the department for approval of a Native American language and culture instruction authorization if the individual has demonstrated expertise in a Native American language of a federally recognized tribe. The Native American language and culture instruction authorization shall allow the individual to teach the Native American language in which he or she has demonstrated expertise for the employing school district. An individual authorized pursuant to this subparagraph (II) shall work in partnership with a licensed teacher who currently teaches world languages for the employing school district. The approval process for the Native American language and culture instruction authorization shall be established by rule of the state board and shall include, at a minimum:   A method to establish and document the expertise of the applicant in the Native American language of a federally recognized tribe;    The identification of the partnering licensed teacher;    A requirement that the applicant meet any objective standards for language proficiency established by the state board;    A prohibition on the applicant from teaching any subject other than the Native American language for which he or she has demonstrated expertise; and    A renewal process for the authorization.          A Native American language and culture authorization issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (15) is valid for five years from the date of issuance. The department may renew the authorization for succeeding five-year periods upon the receipt of documented evidence that the person holding the authorization has completed any renewal requirements specified by rule by the state board of education.    All laws and rules, including but not limited to section 22-9-106 and any rules promulgated thereunder related to educator evaluation and effectiveness, shall apply to the individual holding an authorization pursuant to this subsection (15).        (a) (I) A school district requests the temporary educator eligibility authorization to employ as a special education teacher or director or as a special services provider an applicant who does not yet meet the requirements to obtain the applicable initial educator license but who meets the eligibility criteria specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (5);   History. Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 477, § 1, effective June 6. L. 95: (1)(a) amended and (1)(f) added, p. 270, § 1, effective July 1. L. 97: (1)(d) amended, p. 1656, § 4, effective June 5. L. 99: IP(1) and (1)(c) amended, p. 1195, § 10, effective June 1. L. 2000: (1)(d) amended, p. 1858, § 63, effective August 2. L. 2002: (1)(c) amended, p. 1623, § 3, effective June 7. L. 2003: (1)(g) added, p. 2520, § 9, effective June 5. L. 2004: Entire section R&RE, p. 1271, § 2, effective May 28. L. 2005: IP(4)(a), (4)(c)(II), IP(5)(a), (5)(a)(I), (5)(d), (5)(e)(II), (7), and (14)(c)(I) amended, pp. 176, 174, §§ 10, 5, effective April 7. L. 2007: (10)(a)(I) amended, p. 745, § 27, effective May 9. L. 2008: (7.5) added, p. 97, § 1, effective March 19; (7.7) added, p. 1364, § 2, effective May 27. L. 2009: IP(4)(a), (4)(a)(III), (8), and (14)(a) amended,(SB 09-160), ch. 292, p. 1448, § 3, effective May 21. L. 2010: (4)(a) and (10) amended,(HB 10-1034), ch. 116, p. 391, § 1, effective August 11; (14)(a), (14)(b)(III), (14)(c)(III), and (14)(d) amended,(HB 10-1422), ch. 419, p. 2079, § 48, effective August 11. L. 2012: (15) added,(SB 12-057), ch. 120, p. 408, § 1, effective August 8. L. 2013: (13) amended,(HB 13-1219), ch. 104, p. 364, § 14, effective August 7. L. 2015: (9) amended,(HB 15-1170), ch. 224, p. 823, § 5, effective May 26. L. 2018: (3) amended,(HB 18-1309), ch. 269, p. 1662, § 7, effective August 8; (14)(a), (14)(b), and (14)(e)(I) amended,(SB 18-160), ch. 97, p. 759, § 2, effective August 8. L. 2019: (14)(a), IP(14)(b), (14)(b)(I), (14)(b)(II), (14)(c)(II), and (14)(e)(I) amended,(SB 19-069), ch. 37, p. 122, § 3, effective August 2. L. 2020: (14)(c)(II) and (14)(c)(III) amended and (14)(c)(IV) added,(HB 20-1128), ch. 86, p. 344, § 3, effective March 24. L. 2021: (14)(a), IP(14)(b), (14)(b)(I), (14)(d), and (14)(e)(II) amended,(SB 21-058), ch. 490, p. 3529, § 2, effective May 24; (2) amended,(SB 21-185), ch. 246, p. 1323, § 2, effective September 7.    Cross references:   For the legislative declaration in HB 20-1128, see section 1 of chapter 86, Session Laws of Colorado 2020.