CO

Colorado Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank: #5 of 51 High Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,472
Avg Education Hours
$180
Avg Initial Fee
33.5
Burden Score

Agriculture

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Arborist / Tree Surgeon — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Water Well Driller — Yes $50 — 3 yrs

Animal Care

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Animal Breeder — No $50 — 2 yrs
Farrier / Horseshoer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Veterinarian 5,703 Yes $441 $355 2 yrs
Veterinary Technician 2,351 Yes $220 $178 2 yrs

Construction

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Electrician 7,405 Yes $217 $174 1 yr
Elevator Installer 7,405 Yes $305 $263 2 yrs
Fire Sprinkler Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
General Contractor — Yes $437 $352 2 yrs
Glazier — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
HVAC Technician 5,405 Yes $174 $131 2 yrs
Land Surveyor — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Locksmith — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Mobile Home Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Painter (Contractor) — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Pest Control Applicator 34 Yes $174 $153 3 yrs
Plumber 7,405 Yes $260 $217 1 yr
Roofer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Security Alarm Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Septic System Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs

Cosmetology

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Barber 1,426 Yes $141 $72 2 yrs
Body Piercer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Cosmetologist 1,511 Yes $163 $80 2 yrs
Electrologist 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Esthetician 890 Yes $144 $68 2 yrs
Funeral Director / Embalmer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Hair Braider 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Massage Therapist 900 Yes $176 $90 2 yrs
Nail Technician 618 Yes $127 $63 2 yrs
Tattoo Artist 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs

Design

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Interior Designer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Landscape Architect — Yes $352 $267 2 yrs

Education

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Childcare Center Director 102 No $174 $131 2 yrs
Elementary School Teacher — Yes $218 $133 5 yrs
School Counselor — Yes $261 $175 5 yrs
School Librarian / Media Specialist 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs
Secondary School Teacher — Yes $218 $133 5 yrs
Substitute Teacher 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs

Engineering

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Professional Engineer (PE) — Yes $437 $352 2 yrs
Professional Geologist — Yes $200 — 2 yrs

Finance

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — Yes $433 $348 2 yrs
Debt Collector — Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Insurance Agent 71 Yes $216 $173 2 yrs
Mortgage Loan Originator 20 Yes $643 $430 1 yr
Tax Preparer — Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Food & Hospitality

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Bartender / Alcohol Server 14 Yes $64 $43 3 yrs
Food Handler / Food Safety Certification — No $50 — 2 yrs

Healthcare

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Athletic Trainer 3,351 Yes $220 $178 2 yrs
Certified Nurse-Midwife 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Hygienist 3,351 Yes $309 $178 2 yrs
Dietetic Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 188 Yes $153 $131 2 yrs
Hearing Aid Specialist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Home Health Aide 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 1,426 Yes $181 $135 2 yrs
Medical Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Medical Lab Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Occupational Therapist 3,851 Yes $267 $224 2 yrs
Optician (Dispensing) 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Optometrist 4,851 Yes $437 $352 2 yrs
Paramedic 1,881 Yes $220 $178 2 yrs
Pharmacist 5,277 Yes $313 $270 2 yrs
Pharmacy Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Phlebotomist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Physical Therapist 3,851 Yes $309 $267 2 yrs
Physician Assistant 4,277 Yes $355 $313 2 yrs
Radiologic Technologist 2,396 Yes $220 $178 2 yrs
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist — Yes $263 $220 2 yrs
Registered Nurse 2,851 Yes $224 $156 2 yrs
Respiratory Therapist 2,351 Yes $220 $178 2 yrs
Speech-Language Pathologist 3,851 Yes $309 $224 2 yrs
Surgical Technologist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Legal & Security

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Armed Security Guard 69 No $217 $131 2 yrs
Court Reporter / Stenographer — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Notary Public — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Private Investigator 5,114 Yes $348 $305 2 yrs
Process Server — Yes $75 — 4 yrs

Mental Health

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 3,851 Yes $224 $181 2 yrs
Licensed Professional Counselor 3,351 Yes $222 $179 2 yrs
Marriage and Family Therapist 3,351 Yes $267 $224 2 yrs
Psychologist 6,703 Yes $441 $355 2 yrs

Miscellaneous

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Amusement Ride Operator — No $50 — 2 yrs
Athletic Agent — No $50 — 2 yrs
Auctioneer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Casino/Gaming Dealer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Sign Language Interpreter — No $50 — 2 yrs

Real Estate

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Home Inspector 176 Yes $348 $263 2 yrs
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson 159 Yes $260 $213 2 yrs
Real Estate Broker 239 Yes $348 $284 2 yrs

Transportation

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Chauffeur / Limousine Driver 34 Yes $131 $88 4 yrs
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) 296 Yes $173 $88 4 yrs
School Bus Driver 108 Yes $131 $88 4 yrs
Taxi/Ride-Share Driver — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Tow Truck Operator — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

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Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial