Colorado School Psychologist Continuing Education Requirements
Colorado school psychologists are licensed through the Colorado Department of Education under a Professional Special Services License. Renewal of the professional license requires 90 contact hours of applicable professional development during each seven-year license cycle.
Colorado School Psychologist Requirements at a Glance
Colorado School Psychologist Licensing Structure
Colorado classifies school psychologists as special services providers. The Colorado Department of Education issues both Initial and Professional Special Services licenses.
The Initial Special Services License is valid for three years. After completing an approved special services induction program, an eligible school psychologist may advance to the Professional Special Services License.
The Professional Special Services License is valid for seven years and is the credential subject to the 90-hour professional development renewal requirement.
90 Contact Hours Every Seven Years
Colorado requires professional special services license holders to complete 90 contact hours, equivalent to six semester hours, of applicable professional development activities.
For an active license, the professional development must be completed during the seven-year period in which the license is valid.
For an expired professional license, qualifying activities generally must have been completed during the seven years immediately preceding the renewal application.
10-Hour Special Education and Disability Requirement
Colorado added a specific professional learning requirement for professional special services providers whose licenses expire on or after June 30, 2025.
At least 10 contact hours must relate to increasing awareness of laws and practices concerning the education of students with disabilities.
Topics may include areas such as:
- Child Find requirements
- Inclusive learning environments
- Special education laws and practices
- Supporting students with disabilities
- Appropriate educational practices for students with disabilities
What Professional Development Can Count?
Colorado gives educators considerable flexibility in choosing professional development activities that are applicable to their professional role or endorsement area.
Relevant school psychology professional development may include:
- Psychoeducational assessment
- Special education law
- Section 504
- Child Find
- Behavior assessment and intervention
- Academic intervention
- School psychology ethics
- School mental and behavioral health
- Trauma-informed practice
- Consultation and collaboration
- Data-based decision making
- Inclusive educational practices
- Culturally responsive practice
- Evidence-based school psychology practice
Accepted Professional Development Activities
Colorado accepts multiple forms of professional development toward the 90-hour renewal requirement, provided the activities are applicable to the educator's professional role and properly documented.
- College or university coursework
- In-service education
- Professional development courses
- Workshops and seminars
- Professional conferences
- Other applicable professional learning activities
Can Online Continuing Education Count in Colorado?
Colorado permits applicable professional development activities toward license renewal and does not require all professional learning to come from a single state-approved provider system.
Online professional development may therefore be used when the activity is relevant to the educator's professional role, meets any applicable content requirements, and is supported by adequate completion documentation.
School psychologists should retain certificates showing the course title, provider, completion date, and number of contact hours earned.
Do NASP-Approved Courses Count in Colorado?
Colorado does not state that professional development must come from a NASP-approved provider in order to count toward renewal. Instead, professional development must be applicable to the educator's professional role and meet Colorado's renewal standards.
NASP-approved professional development is particularly relevant for school psychologists because it is designed around school psychology professional practice and can also support separate NCSP renewal requirements.
Child & School Psychology CE
Child & School Psychology CE is a NASP Approved Provider, Provider #1152. Qualifying courses may be used toward applicable NCSP continuing professional development requirements.
Colorado school psychologists may also use applicable professional development toward their state Special Services License renewal when the activity satisfies current Colorado Department of Education requirements.
NCSP and Colorado School Psychologist Licensure
Colorado recognizes a valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential as satisfying the preparation requirements for a school psychologist endorsement.
This recognition relates to qualifying for the school psychologist endorsement. Renewal of the Colorado Professional Special Services License still follows Colorado's professional development requirements.
Professional Development Documentation
Colorado educators should retain documentation supporting the professional development activities used for renewal.
- Certificate of completion
- Course or activity title
- Name of the professional development provider
- Date of completion
- Number of contact hours earned
- Official transcript when college or university credit is used
Colorado requires applicants to attest that they have completed applicable professional development and may require supporting documentation as part of the renewal process.
Online Continuing Education for Colorado School Psychologists
Child & School Psychology CE provides self-paced online professional development developed specifically for school psychologists and related professionals.
Courses address ethics, special education law, Section 504, assessment, behavior, intervention, student mental health, data-based decision making, and evidence-based school psychology practice.
We are a NASP Approved Provider, Provider #1152. Review each course description for the number of hours, CPD type, learning objectives, and approval information.
View Online CE CoursesAlso Maintaining Your NCSP?
Colorado professional-license renewal and NCSP renewal have separate professional development requirements. School psychologists maintaining both credentials should track their activities for each renewal system.
View NCSP CPD RequirementsOfficial Colorado Resources
Licensure and professional development requirements may change. School psychologists should verify current requirements with the Colorado Department of Education before submitting a renewal application.
- Colorado CDE – Special Services License Requirements
- Colorado CDE – Renew a Professional Special Services License
- Colorado CDE – Educator Professional Development Requirements
- Colorado CDE – Accepted Professional Development Activities
Requirements reviewed September 2026. This page is provided for informational purposes and is not a substitute for current guidance from the Colorado Department of Education.