Speech Language Pathologist Licensure in Colorado
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Timeline 2-4 weeks
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Initial Costs $126
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Renewal Costs $80
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CE Requirements 20 Units
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Speech Language Pathologist license in Colorado, you'll be working with the Colorado Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification. You will submit your application through DPO Online Services. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Profile: Head over to the online portal and create an account. This is where you’ll manage your application and check your status. Hit submit on your initial profile setup so you can access the specific application for Speech Language Pathologists.
- Fingerprinting & Background Check: Colorado uses the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. You must schedule your appointment through an approved vendor like IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. Do not just go to a local police station; the results must be transmitted electronically directly to the Board.
- Request Documents: Contact your university to send your official transcripts directly to the Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification. You will also need to request your Praxis scores from ETS to be sent to the Board. If you hold a license in another state, request verification to be sent directly from that state's board.
- Complete the Application: Log back into the portal and fill out the application. You'll upload any required personal documents here. Once you've double-checked everything, pay the fee and hit submit.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License or valid ID, Social Security Number, and your employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from the school), Praxis Exam scores (sent from ETS), and License Verifications from other states (if applicable).
- Exams: While there is no separate Jurisprudence Exam for initial applicants, you must have passed the national Praxis exam.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Colorado:
- Application Fee: $77
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $49 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $126
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Colorado Speech Language Pathologist renewal happens annually and is due by November 30.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $80.
Note: While the official expiration is November 30, there is typically a reinstatement window open through January 31, but it's best to renew on time to avoid late fees.
CE Requirements
20 Professional Development Activities (PDA) required every 2 years (10 PDA per year).
Deadline: October 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Speech Language Pathologist pros: you can complete all of your requirements online! There is no specific cap on "Independent Learning" or "Distance Learning," provided the activities align with your professional goals.
Provider Restrictions: Colorado does not "approve" specific providers but accepts activities that meet their Professional Development Activities (PDA) criteria. Courses from ASHA-approved providers are widely accepted, making MedBridge a convenient choice for completing your Travel Speech Language Pathologist CEUs. Note: You must earn your PDA from at least two different categories (e.g., Educational Coursework and Independent Learning).
Mandatory Topics
- Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT): You must complete this DORA-provided self-assessment at the start of each renewal cycle to identify your learning needs.
- Learning Plan: You must maintain a written plan that outlines your goals based on your RSAT results.
- PDA Accrual: 20 units total, which must directly relate to the goals established in your Learning Plan.
- Jurisprudence: No specific law exam is required for renewal, but you must stay current with the Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: Activities that do not count include CPR/First Aid, basic life support, business management, marketing, office administration, or any activity not related to the clinical practice of speech-language pathology.
New Licensee Rule: If your initial Colorado certification was issued during the middle of a renewal cycle, you are typically exempt from the PDA requirements for your very first renewal. You begin accruing PDA for the subsequent full two-year cycle.
Reporting: Colorado uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit your certificates or Learning Plan during renewal, but you must retain all documentation (including your RSAT and Learning Plan) for at least 5 years in case of a state audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Licensing:
- Address: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350 Denver, CO 80202
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (303) 894-7800
- Fax: (303) 894-7761
- Email: dora_speechlanguagepathology@state.co.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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How to Apply
To secure your Travel Speech Language Pathologist license in Colorado, you'll be working with the Colorado Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification. You will submit your application through DPO Online Services. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Profile: Head over to the online portal and create an account. This is where you’ll manage your application and check your status. Hit submit on your initial profile setup so you can access the specific application for Speech Language Pathologists.
- Fingerprinting & Background Check: Colorado uses the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. You must schedule your appointment through an approved vendor like IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. Do not just go to a local police station; the results must be transmitted electronically directly to the Board.
- Request Documents: Contact your university to send your official transcripts directly to the Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification. You will also need to request your Praxis scores from ETS to be sent to the Board. If you hold a license in another state, request verification to be sent directly from that state's board.
- Complete the Application: Log back into the portal and fill out the application. You'll upload any required personal documents here. Once you've double-checked everything, pay the fee and hit submit.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License or valid ID, Social Security Number, and your employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from the school), Praxis Exam scores (sent from ETS), and License Verifications from other states (if applicable).
- Exams: While there is no separate Jurisprudence Exam for initial applicants, you must have passed the national Praxis exam.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Colorado:
- Application Fee: $77
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $49 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $126
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Colorado Speech Language Pathologist renewal happens annually and is due by November 30.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $80.
Note: While the official expiration is November 30, there is typically a reinstatement window open through January 31, but it's best to renew on time to avoid late fees.
CE Requirements
20 Professional Development Activities (PDA) required every 2 years (10 PDA per year).
Deadline: October 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Speech Language Pathologist pros: you can complete all of your requirements online! There is no specific cap on "Independent Learning" or "Distance Learning," provided the activities align with your professional goals.
Provider Restrictions: Colorado does not "approve" specific providers but accepts activities that meet their Professional Development Activities (PDA) criteria. Courses from ASHA-approved providers are widely accepted, making MedBridge a convenient choice for completing your Travel Speech Language Pathologist CEUs. Note: You must earn your PDA from at least two different categories (e.g., Educational Coursework and Independent Learning).
Mandatory Topics
- Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT): You must complete this DORA-provided self-assessment at the start of each renewal cycle to identify your learning needs.
- Learning Plan: You must maintain a written plan that outlines your goals based on your RSAT results.
- PDA Accrual: 20 units total, which must directly relate to the goals established in your Learning Plan.
- Jurisprudence: No specific law exam is required for renewal, but you must stay current with the Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: Activities that do not count include CPR/First Aid, basic life support, business management, marketing, office administration, or any activity not related to the clinical practice of speech-language pathology.
New Licensee Rule: If your initial Colorado certification was issued during the middle of a renewal cycle, you are typically exempt from the PDA requirements for your very first renewal. You begin accruing PDA for the subsequent full two-year cycle.
Reporting: Colorado uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit your certificates or Learning Plan during renewal, but you must retain all documentation (including your RSAT and Learning Plan) for at least 5 years in case of a state audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Licensing:
- Address: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350 Denver, CO 80202
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (303) 894-7800
- Fax: (303) 894-7761
- Email: dora_speechlanguagepathology@state.co.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.