Colorado Credential Guide
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement Requirements in Colorado
Issued by Colorado Department of Education.
Colorado calls this area Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. It adds to a teacher license that already carries another content endorsement.
Official sources reviewed . Requirements can change, so confirm your route with the issuing agency before enrolling.
Colorado CLD Route Choice
Choose Approved Preparation or Map All 24 Coursework Credits
Colorado calls the ESL-related area Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. It adds to a teacher license with another content endorsement. The state accepts either a Colorado-approved CLD program or its specified 24-semester-hour coursework route.
Confirm that the institution's program is approved for the current CLD K–12 endorsement and that it can document completion for Colorado.
Use the CLD added-endorsement worksheet to match each course. Colorado generally requires grades of B- or better, distinct course numbers and awarded credits; pass/fail and professional-development courses do not count.
If a provider markets an older “Linguistically Diverse” endorsement, ask it to identify the current CLD credential and route in writing.
Colorado Department of Education, checked September 29, 2026: teacher endorsement requirements and CLD worksheet.
Colorado Requirements
Check the Existing License and Content Endorsement
Colorado requires both pieces for this route. A CLD program does not replace the other content endorsement.
Entry credentials
Colorado requires a valid initial or professional teacher license and another content endorsement. The state identifies this area as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education rather than an ESL endorsement.
Colorado Requirements
Compare the CLD Preparation Options
The state names specified coursework and an approved-program path. Check which route your provider documents.
CLD study
The state publishes a route through 24 semester hours of specified CLD coursework or completion of a Colorado-approved CLD program.
Colorado Requirements
Keep the Professional License Current
The renewal rule applies to the professional teaching license beneath the CLD endorsement.
Professional license renewal
A Colorado professional teacher license is valid for seven years. Renewal requires 90 contact hours, equal to six semester hours, of applicable professional development.