Frequently Asked Questions:

Question – Am I able to begin the application process while I am student teaching?

• Answer – Yes, however pay close attention to stipulations around logging in to your CDE application and saving your information.  If you don’t open the application (once you have begun an application and before submitting it) within 14 days, your information disappears.  So, log in and open the application regularly even if you aren’t going to work on it.
• You can begin uploading required documents now, but you will have to wait until after the semester for your transcripts with this semester’s posted grades/degrees and the Approved Program Verification Form
  • • • • If you begin now, you will be asked to load those two documents (which you won’t have until the end of the semester) and it won’t let you proceed if you don’t upload.  You CAN upload a “filler” document for now so you can proceed and then come back later to upload your transcripts and Approved Program Verification form.  Just REMEMBER to do that!  Don’t forget and submit with the “filler” documents.  J

• You will answer all questions as if you have finished the program because you won’t submit the application until you are finished.

 

Question – Am I able to submit my teacher licensure application now?

• Answer – No, you cannot submit your teaching application until after grades post at the end of the semester.

1. E-mail, fax or send the “Approved Program Verification Form” to Juliana Searle, after completing the top section of the form.  The form can be found in the application itself.  The form is also attached to this e-mail.  You can send this to Juliana now.

• Please include your email address on the top section of the form.  Do NOT use your CSU email, as it will expire 6 months after you graduate.

1. As soon as your final grades and degree have been posted by CSU, CEP will complete the bottom portion of the Approved Program Verification Form you sent in and Juliana Searle will sign the form. This is typically about three weeks after the semester ends.

CSU WILL EMAIL THIS COMPLETED FORM DIRECTLY TO YOU. YOU WILL NEED TO UPLOAD THIS FORM INTO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO ADHERE CLOSELY TO ALL DIRECTIONS PROVIDED BY CDE WITHIN THE APPLICATION.

 

Question – Do I need to redo my fingerprints since I already submitted them to CEP?

• Answer – It depends.  If you have already been fingerprinted and had them processed through CDE (e.g. you have applied for a substitute teaching license through CDE), then you won’t have to.  However, most of you will need to have them done and processed through CDE.  Unfortunately, CDE cannot “look up background check results” completed elsewhere.

 

Question – Am I able to apply for jobs even though I can’t apply for my license until the end of the semester?

• Answer – Yes, you can apply for teaching positions now.  You will let the district know you are completing your teacher licensure program.  Most districts are fine with that information.  Some will ask for a letter from CSU confirming that you will be done this semester.  If that is the case, please contact me and I can write a letter for you.

 

GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING THE COLORADO INITIAL EDUCATOR LICENSE APPLICATION     

Application Procedures for Licensure

Approved Program Verification Form

• Go to CDE website.
• Click on Apply for or Renew a License or Authorization to see eLicensing Overview
• Locate First or initial license in Colorado
• Click on Teacher
• Review the Initial Teacher License Preparing to Apply Checklist
• Plan ahead to have required documents ready for the application process
• Register and Apply (below checklist)
  • Once you have gathered all of the information listed above, you are ready to begin the online application process! Just register for the eLicensing system or, if you are already registered, log in.
  • When registering for an account with CDE, please realize that this is the account you will use for your entire career.
    • Use a permanent email address (no school or district e-mail address recommended).
    • Use a permanent mailing address. CDE must be contacted to make a change to a mailing address.
• Follow directions. The system will not let you go on with the application if you have left anything out.
• E-mail, fax or send the “Approved Program Verification Form” to Juliana Searle, after completing the top section of the form.  The form can be found in the application itself.  The form is also attached to this e-mail.  You can send this to Juliana now.
  • Please include your email address on the top section of the form. Do NOT use your CSU email, as it will expire 6 months after you graduate.
• As soon as your final grades and degree have been posted by CSU, CEP will complete the bottom portion of the Approved Program Verification Form you sent in and Juliana Searle will sign the form. This is typically about three weeks after the semester ends.

CSU WILL EMAIL THIS FORM DIRECTLY TO YOU. YOU WILL NEED TO UPLOAD THIS FORM INTO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO ADHERE CLOSELY TO ALL DIRECTIONS PROVIDED BY CDE WITHIN THE APPLICATION.

• You must upload transcripts from all institutions you have attended to your license application.
  • CSU does do electronic transcripts.
  • You will find information about ordering copies of your transcripts from the CSU Registrar’s Office.
    • You must log into RAMweb to actually order your transcripts.
    • CSU transcripts cost approximately $11-15 a copy.
• You will be required to submit fingerprints as a part of your application. Unless you have already completed a background check and fingerprinting through CDE (e.g. you’ve completed a substitute teaching license), you will need to meet this requirement. Refer to CDE’s Fingerprint Submission Requirements.
  • Although you have completed MANY background checks as a part of your time in the teacher preparation program at CSU, this fingerprinting requirements is separate and necessary for licensure in Colorado.

NOTE: For those of you who also need a “Career and Technical License,” (this form is found “Apply for or Renew a License or Authorization”) you must also apply for this additional license, and must pay a fee for each license. (This applies to Ag. Ed., Family and Consumer Science, Information Technology, Technology Education (Engineering), and Business/Marketing).

Again, this application is similar to the initial educator license application and it is self- explanatory.  Please make sure to read everything carefully and follow directions closely.

HELPFUL HINTS:

• Once you start your application with CDE, you must open it at least once every 14 days or your application will be deleted.
• Make sure you have clear scanned copies of everything you are uploading – all transcripts, driver’s license, etc. If CDE cannot read any of the documents it will slow up, or even stop, your review process.
• You may check the status of your application at any time on the CDE website.
• After you submit your application, CDE may contact you via email requesting further information.  If you do not respond to their request within 90 days, your application will expire.  Make sure to check ‘Junk’ or ‘Clutter’ folders, as often times students report correspondences showing up there.
• Once your license has been issued (i.e. your credentials have been approved), CDE will notify you via email. This email will have a PDF copy of your teaching certificate credential attached.  You can print this at home for an official copy.  If you want CDE to send you a “hardcopy,” indicate so in your application.  An additional fee will be accrued for this option. There is no fee for printing your own copy at home.  You will have 30 days in which to print your credential from your eLicense account (or via the email with attached PDF).  Check your email and junk email often.  After this 30 day time period, you may request an additional copy of your valid credential from CDE for an additional fee via an eLicense reprint application.

If you have ANY questions or concerns, please contact Juliana Searle via phone (970-491-3567) or email (Juliana.Searle@colostate.edu).

CEP Advising Center. 1588 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1588

Phone: 970-491-5292 / FAX:  970-491-2632