As part of the State's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals may apply for a temporary healthcare license for NO FEE if certain criteria are met. These licenses are only available on a temporary basis as a result of Executive Order D 2020 038 and will receive an expiration date of December 31, 2020, but the license may be canceled prior to that date or extended longer, if it is determined necessary. These licenses are temporary and do not constitute a property right.
Additionally, these licenses do not replace any existing or previous credential and is non-renewable. These licenses are is not eligible for any intrastate compact agreements and may not be used for verification purposes for licensure in other states.
The available temporary license types are listed below. All temporary license types applicants must:
- Be a new graduate of a healthcare program in the specific profession they are applying for; and
- Meet all other qualifications for licensure with the exception of clinical skills and/or practical knowledge examination(s)
For specific requirements for each license type and to apply for a Temporary License type please visit our Online Services page. Login to your existing account or register an account, for new users. Once in your account select "Apply for a New License" and then select the drop-down labeled "Temporary Healthcare Applications":
- Chiropractic
- Temporary - Chiropractor
- Dental
- Temporary - Dentist
- Temporary - Dental Hygienist
- Medical
- Temporary - Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Temporary - Physician
- Temporary - Physician Assistant
- Nursing
- Temporary - Advance Practice Nurse
- Temporary - Certified Nurse Aide
- Temporary - Licensed Practical Nurse
- Temporary - Registered Nurse
- Occupational Therapy
- Temporary - Occupational Therapist
- Temporary - Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Optometry
- Temporary - Optometrist
- Physical Therapy
- Temporary - Physical Therapist
- Temporary - Physical Therapist Assistant
- Podiatry
- Temporary - Podiatrist
- Respiratory Therapy
- Temporary - Respiratory Therapist
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Temporary - Speech Language - Pathologist
- Veterinary Medicine
- Temporary - Veterinarian
Based on Executive Order D 2020 038 the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations has been granted the authority to promulgate emergency rules for multiple professions to expand the workforce personnel available to provide healthcare services due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Colorado.
You may view the emergency rules for the Expansion of Scope enacted on May 11, 2020, for each individual program below. Please also reference the Frequently Asked Questions document for further information.
- Chiropractic Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 707-1
- Dental Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 709-1
- Medical Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 713-46
- Nursing Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 716-1
- Occupational Therapy Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 715-1
- Optometry Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 728-1
- Physical Therapy Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 732-1
- Podiatry Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 712-17
- Respiratory Therapy Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 741-1
- Speech-Language Pathology Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 748-1
- Surgical Assistant and Surgical Technologist Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 745-1
- Veterinary Emergency Rules - Scope Expansion - CCR 727-1
The rules below were adopted by the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations on August 30, 2020 regarding temporary licensure and waiver of certain nurse and nurse aide education rules pursuant to Executive Order D 2020 158:
- Chiropractor Emergency Rules - CCR 707-1
- Dental Emergency Rules - CCR 709-1
- Medical Emergency Rules - CCR 713-45
- Nursing Emergency Rules - CCR 716-1
- Occupational Therapy Emergency Rules - CCR 715-1
- Optometry Emergency Rules - CCR 728-1
- Physical Therapy Emergency Rules - CCR 732-1
- Podiatry Emergency Rules - CCR 712-16
- Respiratory Therapy Emergency Rules - CCR 741-1
- Speech-Language Pathology - CCR 748-1
- Veterinary Emergency Rules - CCR 727-1
For more information please visit the home pages for the corresponding professions below:
- Chiropractic
- Dental (Dentists and Dental Hygienists)
- Medical (Physician Assistants and Anesthesiology Assistants)
- Nursing (Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nurse Aides)
- Occupational Therapy (Including Occupational Therapy Assistants)
- Optometry
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy (Including Physical Therapist Assistants)
- Podiatry
- Respiratory Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Surgical Assistant and Surgical Technologist
- Veterinary