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CO · SLP licensure
Everything it takes to get your speech-language pathology license in Colorado — the licensing board and application steps, the required Praxis 5331 exam and its 162 passing score, the Clinical Fellowship, fees, and renewal rules.
Required Praxis test
Praxis 5331 — Speech-Language Pathology
Passing score
162 (out of 200)
Format
132 multiple-choice questions · 150 minutes · computer-based
Registration
Register through ETS · $146 test fee · offered year-round
Every US state — including Colorado — accepts the Praxis 5331 at the ASHA-set 162 cut score for SLP licensure. There is no separate state-specific SLP Praxis exam.
Licensing board
Colorado uses a title-protection certification (not a license) administered by DORA. The state accepts the Praxis 5331 at 162 and applicants who hold the ASHA CCC-SLP are routed through the streamlined certification pathway.
Authoritative reference: ASHA state-by-state advocacy page for Colorado →
The Colorado SLP market
Colorado licenses Speech-Language Pathologists through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations, State Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Colorado's SLP market is anchored by the Denver metro area and Colorado Springs, with mountain resort communities and the rural Eastern Plains facing persistent shortages. Praxis 5331 at the ASHA-standard 162 cut score is required statewide with no Colorado-specific adjustment.
BLS OES, Colorado statewide (approximate range)
Passing score note: Colorado accepts the standard ASHA 162 passing score on Praxis 5331. DORA does not require a higher or different cut score for licensure.
The State Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, operating under DORA, reviews license applications for CAA-accredited graduate coursework, supervised clinical hours, and a passing Praxis 5331 score. SLPs working in Colorado public schools also need a Special Services Provider license issued by the Colorado Department of Education, which is a distinct application from the DORA license even though it relies on the same underlying training.
The 162 Praxis 5331 score satisfies the exam requirement for both credentials. Candidates aiming for school-based jobs typically submit both applications in tandem so a signed contract offer isn't held up waiting on a single missing credential.
Colorado issues a temporary license allowing new graduates to begin the 36-week Clinical Fellowship under a DORA-licensed supervisor, following the standard ASHA CF structure for hours and supervision. Applicants can typically apply for the temporary license as soon as Praxis 5331 scores are official and the graduate degree is conferred.
DORA's online licensing portal has made temporary-license turnaround relatively fast compared to some larger states, with most complete applications processed within a few weeks. Once the CF year and CF-2 form are finished, the board converts the temporary license to a full, unrestricted license.
Denver metro school districts, including Denver Public Schools, Cherry Creek, and Jeffco Public Schools, are major employers, along with hospital systems like UCHealth and Children's Hospital Colorado. Colorado Springs and the Fort Collins/Boulder corridor round out the state's larger urban markets.
Mountain resort communities such as the Vail Valley and Summit County, along with rural Eastern Plains counties, often struggle to recruit SLPs due to housing costs or geographic isolation, and some employers there offer relocation assistance. Bilingual Spanish-speaking SLPs are in strong demand across the Denver metro area given Colorado's growing Spanish-speaking population.
Colorado SLP licenses renew on a biennial cycle set by DORA, with continuing competency requirements that can include ASHA-approved CEUs, coursework, or other approved professional development documented for audit purposes. DORA's continuing competency program is somewhat more flexible in accepted activity types than a strict CEU-hour count used in some other states.
SLPs holding the Colorado Department of Education Special Services Provider license must separately track that credential's renewal cycle, which runs independently of the DORA license. Denver's active professional community, including a state speech-language-hearing association chapter, offers regular in-person CEU opportunities in addition to national online providers.
A partial list of larger CAA-accredited programs. All programs listed prepare graduates to sit for Praxis 5331.
What Praxis score does Colorado require for SLP licensure?
Colorado requires the standard ASHA-set passing score of 162 on Praxis 5331, with no state-specific modification.
Do Colorado school SLPs need a separate credential from the DORA license?
Yes. School-based SLPs need a Special Services Provider license from the Colorado Department of Education in addition to the DORA state license.
How fast does Colorado process a temporary license for the Clinical Fellowship?
DORA's online portal typically processes complete temporary-license applications within a few weeks, faster than many larger states.
Are there SLP shortages in Colorado's mountain towns?
Yes, resort communities like the Vail Valley and Summit County, as well as rural Eastern Plains counties, often struggle to recruit SLPs and may offer relocation assistance.
Earn a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology
Complete a graduate program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) — the near-universal requirement across US jurisdictions.
Pass the Praxis 5331 with a score of 162 or higher
The Speech-Language Pathology Praxis (5331) is the single national exam accepted by all state boards. 162 is the ASHA-set passing score and every state uses that same cut score.
Complete a Clinical Fellowship (CF)
A 36-week (9-month full-time equivalent) mentored clinical experience under a licensed CCC-SLP. Some states use their own name for it (California calls it the RPE) but the requirement is functionally equivalent.
Submit fingerprints and a background check
Standard across all state boards. Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks and must be completed before the license is issued.
Apply to the state licensing board
Send your Praxis score (ETS score report), transcripts, CF verification, and background clearance to the state board. Some states also require a jurisprudence exam on state SLP practice law.
ETS updated 9/3/2026
Colorado also uses Praxis for other educator licenses. Speech- Language Pathologists only need 5331 — the full ETS list is included for reference.
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Discount applied in cart. # Colorado Certifying State or National Agency Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists American Speech-Language-Hearing Association College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) National Association of School Psychologists Educator Preparation Program Requirement [GO](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/colorado-tests.html) - [Required Tests](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/colorado-tests.html) - [Overview](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Page-Show?cid=colorado-overview) ## Tests Required by Colorado State Agency Colorado Department of Education Find your certification area below to determine which test(s) you need to take. For test preparation materials, select the “View test details” link. If you are ready to register, you may add up to 4 tests to your cart before continuing on to scheduling. ## Tests required for specific licensure areas ## Early Childhood Education To be certified in: Early Childhood Education (Birth-8) You need to take...  Education of Young Children (5024)$156.00 Qualifying score: 160 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5024) Add to Cart Added and  Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)$156.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5205) Add to Cart Added ## Elementary Education To be certified in: Elementary Education You need to take...  Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)$156.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5205) Add to Cart Added and  Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle—Mathematics (5903)$64.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5903) Add to Cart Added ## Secondary Education To be certified in: Agricultural and Renewable Natural Resources (7-12) You need to take...  Agriculture (5701)$130.00 Qualifying score: 147 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5701) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Business (7-12) You need to take...  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Family and Consumer Sciences (5123)$130.00 Qualifying score: 151 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5123) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Marketing (7-12) You need to take...  Marketing Education (5561)$130.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5561) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Mathematics (7-12) You need to take...  Mathematics (5165)$130.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5165) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Middle School Mathematics (6-8) You need to take...  Middle School Mathematics (5164)$130.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5164) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Science (7-12) You need to take...  General Science (5436)$130.00 Qualifying score: 141 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5436) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Social Studies (7-12) You need to take...  Social Studies (5581)$130.00 Qualifying score: 153 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5581) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Speech (7-12) You need to take...  Speech Communication: Content Knowledge (5221)$130.00 Qualifying score: 146 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5221) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Technology Education (Industrial Arts) (7-12) You need to take...  Technology and Engineering Education (5053)$130.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5053) Add to Cart Added ## All Grades To be certified in: Art (K-12) You need to take...  Art: Content and Analysis (5135)$156.00 Qualifying score: 158 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5135) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (K-12) You need to take...  English to Speakers of Other Languages (5362)$130.00 Qualifying score: 155 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5362) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Bilingual (K-12) You need to take...  English to Speakers of Other Languages (5362)$130.00 Qualifying score: 155 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5362) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Drama (K-12) You need to take...  Theatre (5641)$130.00 Qualifying score: 153 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5641) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Gifted Education Core (PreK-12) You need to take...  Gifted Education (5358)$130.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5358) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Gifted Education Specialist (PreK-12) You need to take...  Gifted Education (5358)$130.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5358) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Health (K-12) You need to take...  Health Education (5551)$130.00 Qualifying score: 155 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5551) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Instructional Technology Specialist (K-12) You need to take...  Computer Science (5652)$130.00 Qualifying score: 149 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5652) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Instructional Technology Teacher (K-12) You need to take...  Computer Science (5652)$130.00 Qualifying score: 149 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5652) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Music (K-12) You need to take...  Music: Content Knowledge (5113)$130.00 Qualifying score: 161 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5113) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Physical Education (K-12) You need to take...  Physical Education: Content Knowledge (5091)$130.00 Qualifying score: 148 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5091) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Teacher (School) Librarian (K-12) You need to take...  School Librarian (5312)$130.00 Qualifying score: 154 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5312) Add to Cart Added ## World Languages To be certified in: French (K-12) You need to take...  French: World Language (5174)$170.00 Qualifying score: 162 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5174) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: German (K-12) You need to take...  German: World Language (5183)$170.00 Qualifying score: 163 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5183) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Japanese (K-12) You need to take...  Japanese: World Language (5661)$170.00 Qualifying score: 156 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5661) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Latin (K-12) You need to take...  Latin (5601)$130.00 Qualifying score: 152 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5601) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Mandarin Chinese (K-12) You need to take...  Chinese (Mandarin): World Language (5665)$170.00 Qualifying score: 164 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5665) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Russian (K-12) You need to take...  Russian: World Language (5671)$170.00 Qualifying score: 130 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5671) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Spanish (K-12) You need to take...  Spanish: World Language (5195)$170.00 Qualifying score: 163 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5195) Add to Cart Added ## Special Education To be certified in: Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-8) You need to take...  Special Education: Early Childhood/Early Intervention (5692)$130.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5692) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21) You need to take...  Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355)$130.00 Qualifying score: 145 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5355) Add to Cart Added and  Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)$156.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5205) Add to Cart Added and  Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle—Mathematics (5903)$64.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5903) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Special Education Specialist: Deaf/Hard of Hearing (Ages 5-21) You need to take...  Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (5272)$130.00 Qualifying score: 160 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5272) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Special Education Specialist: Visually Impaired (Ages 5-21) You need to take...  Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments (5282)$130.00 Qualifying score: 163 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5282) Add to Cart Added ## Leadership To be certified in: Administrator (K-12) You need to take... Must use SLS website to register  School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) (6991)$350.00 Qualifying score: 162 [Continue to website](https://www.ets.org/sls/register.html) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Director of Gifted Education (Administrator) (K-12) You need to take... Must use SLS website to register  School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) (6991)$350.00 Qualifying score: 162 [Continue to website](https://www.ets.org/sls/register.html) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Director of Special Education (Administrator) (K-12) You need to take... Must use SLS website to register  School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) (6991)$350.00 Qualifying score: 162 [Continue to website](https://www.ets.org/sls/register.html) Add to Cart Added and  Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355)$130.00 Qualifying score: 145 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5355) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Principal (K-12) You need to take...  Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (5412)$130.00 Qualifying score: 146 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5412) Add to Cart Added ## Instructional Support Personnel To be certified in: Audiology You need to take...  Audiology (5343)$146.00 Qualifying score: 162 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5343) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: School Counselor (PreK-12) You need to take...  School Counselor (5422)$130.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5422) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: School Psychologist You need to take...  School Psychologist (5403)$156.00 Qualifying score: 155 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5403) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Speech-Language Pathology You need to take...  Speech-Language Pathology (5331)$146.00 Qualifying score: 162 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5331) Add to Cart Added ## READ Act Testing Option To be certified in: Reading Teacher (K-6) You need to take...  Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)$156.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5205) Add to Cart Added ### See also links to other Praxis web pages and resources - [The Praxis® Tests Information Bulletin (PDF)](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-ets-praxisLibrary/default/dw4d1182d7/pdfs/praxis-information-bulletin.pdf) - [Find Tests & Prep](https://praxis.ets.org/storehome.html) - [Schedule Your Test](https://praxis.ets.org/test-taker/register-process.html) - [Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-related Needs](https://praxis.ets.org/test-takers/disability-accommodations.html) - [Need Assistance](https://praxis.ets.org/contact.html)  For more information about educator requirements in Colorado: - Colorado: [Certification website](https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof) Other Programs used in Colorado [Previous](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/colorado-tests.html#carousel-5408595217ec7838b3c368557c) ## School Leadership Series Assess your knowledge for certification in school and district leadership [Learn more](https://www.ets.org/sls.html) ## ParaPro Assessment Demonstrate your knowledge and skills for classroom assistance [Learn more](https://www.ets.org/parapro.html) [Next](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/colorado-tests.html#carousel-5408595217ec7838b3c368557c) ## Want to compare scores across states? 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