Requirements/Colorado
Special Education Teacher in Colorado.
Three tests: special education, reading, and mathematics.
- Exams
- 3
- Passing scores
- 145 · 159 · 157
- Certificate
- Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21)
The exams you have to pass
In the order most candidates take them.
01
Praxis Special Education: Foundational Knowledge5355
Pass145
02
Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary5205
Colorado also accepts this alone for the READ Act Reading Teacher (K-6) route.
Pass159
03
Praxis Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle, Mathematics Subtest5903
Part of the 5901 series. Colorado requires only the Mathematics subtest.
Pass157
What people get wrong
Each of these costs a candidate either money or a test date.
- The Generalist carries the elementary testing on top of the special education test: the same reading test and mathematics subtest an elementary candidate takes.
- A live deadline worth checking today: Colorado accepts the older Mathematics test 5003 at 157 only until 31 August 2026. After that the 5903 subtest is the only route.
- Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-8) is a separate endorsement on test 5692 at 159.
Required, but not an exam
- A bachelor’s degree
- An approved educator preparation program, or an alternative licensure program
- Fingerprinting and application through the CDE online licensing system
Now go pass them.
Knowing the list is the easy part. Built To Pass teaches the strategy layer that works on any of these, aimed at the domains where you are actually losing points.
Start with your examVerified 2026-08-04 against Colorado Department of Education endorsement requirements and the ETS Praxis Colorado requirements. Certification rules change by state board vote. Confirm with the state before you register for a test.