As of 2022, the Colorado Department of Education requires 2 exams for Early Childhood Teacher Licensure, and 1 for Early Childhood SPED. CMU dual-licensure, EC & EC SPED, students are required to complete 3 exams:
- Education of Young Children
- Test code 5024
- Passing score 160
- Cost: $156.00
- Take prior to start of pre-internship
- Teaching Reading: Elementary
- Test code 5205**
- Passing score 159
- Cost: $156.00
- Take 2 months before end pre-internship
- Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood
- Test code 5692
- Passing score 159
- Cost: $130.00
- PRAXIS 5691 (159) also accepted if taken before 08.31.2023; accepted through 08.31.2028
- Take prior to start of pre-internship
**All K-3 teachers must meet the READ Act requirements within their first years of teaching. Passing the 5205 exam meets this requirement. Learn more at http://www.cde.state.co.us/coloradoliteracy.
Elementary students must take and pass 1 subject exam and a teaching reading exam. As of September 1st, 2025 social studies and science are no longer required praxis exams for elementary education.
- Mathematics Subtest
- Test code 5903 (previously 5003)
- Passing score 157
- Cost: $64.00
- Take prior to start of pre-internship
- Teaching Reading: Elementary
- Test code 5205
- Passing score 159
- Cost: $156.00
- Take 2 months before the end of pre-internship
**All K-3 teachers must meet the READ Act requirements within their first years of teaching. Passing the 5205 exam meets this requirement. Learn more at http://www.cde.state.co.us/coloradoliteracy.
Elementary Praxis Preparation Materials
- Khan Academy resources for the Elementary Social Studies Exam:
- Khan Academy site for the Math Praxis Core can also help with preparation, as the Math CORE covers similar topics.
- Elementary Math content resources at MathHelp.com
- Praxis study tools are also available at the CMU Library
Secondary students must take and pass the exam that matches their content area. Typically ONE exam is required.
English Language Arts - Secondary
- ELA test code: 5038
- Required score: 167
- Cost: $130.00
- ELA 5038 Exam Study Guide
- Take prior to start of pre-internship
- Math test code: 5165
- Required score: 159
- Cost: $130.00
- 5165 Math Study Guide
- 5161 with a score of 152 accepted if taken between 09.01.2016 and 08.31.2022
- Take prior to start of pre-internship
- Science test code: 5436
- Required score: 141
- Cost: $130.00
- 5436 Science Study Guide
- 5435 (152) also accepted if taken before 08.31.2023; accepted through 08.31.2028
- Take prior to start of pre-internship
- Social Studies test code: 5581
- Required score: 153
- Cost: $130.00
- Social Studies Study Guide
- Take prior to start of pre-internship
- Spanish test code: 5195
- Required score: 163
- Cost: $170.00
- Spanish Study Guide
- Take prior to start of pre-internship
- Art test code: 5135
- Required score: 158
- Cost: $156.00
- Take prior to start of pre-internship
Music: Content Knowledge Grades K-12
- Music test Code: 5113
- Required score: 161
- Cost: $130.00
- Take prior to applying for student teaching
Physical Education: Content Knowledge Grades K-12
- PE test code: 5091
- Required score: 148
- Cost: $130.00
- Take prior to applying for student teaching
The PLACE exam was replaced by Praxis content testing in 2017. Applicants who completed the PLACE exam prior to May 6, 2017 may have used PLACE scores towards licensure through May 6, 2022. The passing score for all PLACE exams was 220.
Help Paying for Praxis
Exam Fee Waiver
- Exam fee waivers are available for qualifying candidates based a candidate's FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) that shows an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $3,000 or less.
- To apply for an exam fee waiver, see https://www.ets.org/praxis/site/test-takers/register/fee-waivers.html
Scholarship
- Study.com Praxis Scholarship: https://study.com/academy/popular/studycom-praxis-scholarship-application-form-information.html
Colorado Department of Education Licensure Information
- CDE Endorsement Exam Requirements: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/endorsementrequirements
- CDE Initial Licensure Checklist: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/checklist-initial teacher
FROM OTHER PAGE:
Colorado Field Placement & Licensure
Colorado Mesa University's Education programs meet the requirements for licensure in the state of Colorado. CMU Teacher Education students are required to complete their field hours within the state of Colorado. Placements are arranged between a local school district and the Center for Teacher Education, and are typically within our 14-county western slope community of school districts. While graduates have successfully obtained licensure in other states, at this time, CMU does not offer placement outside of Colorado.
Seeking Licensure Outside of Colorado
Educator and principal licensure requirements vary by state. Graduates of Colorado Mesa University’s teacher education programs who seek a license in the United States outside of Colorado will have to apply to that state for review. Where reciprocity between states cannot be determined, that state will evaluate an individual’s credentials on a case by case basis. The other state will either issue their equivalent of an initial license OR issue a temporary teaching license so that the applicant may be employed while completing any outstanding requirements.
Follow the link below and consult the specific requirements of the desired state. In general, we recommend securing the Colorado license first in order to expedite the review process in other states.
Teacher Licensure
- Colorado Department of Education (CDE)
- State Licensing Resources for Teachers
- Licensure checklist by month (Fall 2024)
State and National Teaching Standards and Assessment Tool
- Colorado Teacher Quality Standards:
- edTPA: Under review - connect with your program coordinator for your updated intern assessment. The TPA is to provide preservice teachers with a way to share evidence of their educational competency. The assignments will be spaced over the full semester of student teaching and reflect different aspects of planning, instruction, and assessment. All assignments directly align to the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards (CTQS) and will represent confirmation that the preservice teacher is prepared to enter the field as an educational professional.
- Colorado Content Standards: https://www.cde.state.co.us/standardsandinstruction/standards