Licensure for Experienced Out-of-State Teachers

Current law provides that the department of education (department) may issue a professional teacher license to a teacher with at least 3 years of successful experience in teaching within the previous 7 years in another state or country for which the department has granted reciprocity. The bill eliminates the requirement that an applicant have the successful experience in teaching within the previous 7 years. The bill retains the requirement of at least 3 years of successful experience in teaching.

The bill requires that the state board of education enter into interstate reciprocity agreements with states that participate in the "Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact" (Compact) and that, pursuant to the agreements, the department issue an initial teacher license within 30 days of receiving a complete teacher license application from a person licensed by a state that participates in the Compact when the applicant passes a criminal history record check and meets specified requirements, including holding a current teacher license issued by another state that required completion of a bachelor's degree or higher and a state-approved teacher preparation program or alternative certification program. The bill also requires that the department publish an annual table showing how out-of-state licenses correspond to Colorado endorsement areas. The bill repeals these requirements upon notification that the Compact's rules are in effect.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)