Colorado licensing facts
How regulation is organized
Colorado Board of Nursing regulates the credentials recorded for Colorado: LPN, RN, APN/RXN. Public status checks use Verify a Colorado License; renewal uses Nursing Applications and Renewals. The recorded renewal schedule is Credential-specific renewal schedule The compact classification shown for this review is Compact jurisdiction.
Public verification
Verify a Colorado License is the reviewed public verification route for Colorado. The destination is hosted on dora.colorado.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result.
Renewal timing
For Colorado, the recorded renewal cycle is Credential-specific renewal schedule The named renewal route is Nursing Applications and Renewals. The current fee summary is Colorado changes fees through the Division’s fee-setting process; confirm the amount shown in the current online transaction..
CE or competence
The reviewed Colorado continuing-education or competence rule is: Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements. The record-retention or audit note is: Keep professional certification and any credential-specific documentation required for the license held..
| Reviewed field | Current dataset value |
|---|---|
| Authority | Colorado Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Colorado DPO License Lookup |
| Renewal cycle | Credential-specific renewal schedule |
| Renewal deadline | RN licenses generally expire September 30 according to the applicable odd/even renewal cycle; the online renewal window typically opens several weeks before expiration. |
| Continuing competence | Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements. |
| Fees | Colorado changes fees through the Division’s fee-setting process; confirm the amount shown in the current online transaction. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, APN/RXN |
| Phone | 303-894-7800 |
| Physical location | 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 |
| Mailing address | 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 |
| Primary official domains | dpo.colorado.gov |
How to verify a Colorado nursing license
Verify a Colorado License is the reviewed public verification route for Colorado. The destination is hosted on dora.colorado.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use Nursing Applications and Renewals.
Open Verify a Colorado License ↗
Read the detailed lookup and troubleshooting guide
How to interpret the result
| Field | Meaning | Risk to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado credential type | Confirm the exact credential among LPN, RN, APN/RXN; the same person may hold more than one license, approval, certificate or permit. | For Colorado, treating an RN result as proof of APRN, assistant, certificate, permit or prescriptive authority. |
| Current status | Read the exact status wording published by Colorado Board of Nursing, including active, inactive, expired, lapsed, probationary, suspended, revoked or restricted. | For Colorado, assuming that a record appearing in search means the person may currently practice. |
| Expiration / renewal timing | Credential-specific renewal schedule. RN licenses generally expire September 30 according to the applicable odd/even renewal cycle; the online renewal window typically opens several weeks before expiration. | For Colorado, using a wallet card, employer roster or old screenshot instead of the live record. |
| Multistate designation | Colorado is recorded as an operational Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction in this dataset. Verify that the individual public record is actually designated multistate and that the nurse maintains Colorado or another qualifying compact state as the primary state of residence. | For Colorado, assuming compact membership automatically makes every license multistate or survives a permanent residence move. |
| Public discipline or restrictions | Review public orders or restrictions linked by Colorado Board of Nursing, Colorado DPO License Lookup or Nursys when applicable. | Checking only expiration while ignoring conditions that limit practice. |
| Verification date | The result supports a decision as of the date it was checked. Record the live Colorado verification date. | For Colorado, reusing an undated or stale printout for a new employment or credentialing decision. |
Colorado nursing license renewal
Named renewal system: Colorado DPO Online Services.
- Confirm the credential expiration date in the public lookup.
- Open the correct online renewal transaction.
- Review attestations and any advanced-practice requirements.
- Pay the current displayed fee.
- Confirm the renewed status after processing.
Renewal cautions
- Do not copy a fee from an old guide because Colorado licensing fees can change.
- No general RN/LPN CE requirement does not remove APN certification or prescriptive-authority obligations.
- Compact eligibility depends on primary state of residence and uniform requirements.
Continuing education or continuing competence
Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements.
- No generic RN/LPN CE-hour total for renewal.
- Maintain national certification where required for advanced practice.
- Review current Board notices before each renewal.
Records and audits: Keep professional certification and any credential-specific documentation required for the license held.
Colorado license by endorsement
The reviewed Colorado credential set is LPN, RN, APN/RXN. Use Verify a Colorado License for the public record and Nursing Applications and Renewals for renewal-related work. Do not infer an advanced-practice, assistant, certificate, permit, or compact privilege from a different credential record; Compact jurisdiction. The public record host is dora.colorado.gov, and the recorded renewal schedule is Credential-specific renewal schedule
No direct endorsement URL is recorded; use the detailed checklist below.
National verification and compact status
Compact jurisdiction
Colorado is classified as Compact jurisdiction. The recorded renewal cycle is Credential-specific renewal schedule and the authority model is Board within the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations. Confirm primary residence, the exact license designation, and restrictions in the current official record before relying on compact authority.
Colorado Board of Nursing contact and location
303-894-7800
303-894-2430
Fax: 303-894-7693
dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us
Confirm current DPO customer-service hours before visiting.
5 reviewed official destinations for Colorado
Verify a Colorado License ↗
Colorado DORA public service for checking a professional or occupational license and healthcare provider profile.
Colorado DORA official license-check service · reviewed July 28, 2026Nursing Applications and Renewals ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Colorado Nursing FAQ ↗
Official primary-source nursing licensing information.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Colorado Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Colorado Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Frequently asked questions
Who regulates nursing licenses in Colorado?
Colorado Board of Nursing. The Colorado Board of Nursing regulates practical nurses, registered nurses and advanced practice nurses through the Division of Professions and Occupations. Public lookup and online licensing account services are distinct.
What is the reviewed Colorado license lookup?
Colorado DPO License Lookup. Verify a Colorado License is the reviewed public verification route for Colorado. The destination is hosted on dora.colorado.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use Nursing Applications and Renewals.
When is a Colorado nursing license renewed?
Credential-specific renewal schedule. RN licenses generally expire September 30 according to the applicable odd/even renewal cycle; the online renewal window typically opens several weeks before expiration.
What CE or competence applies in Colorado?
Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements.
What fee information is published for Colorado?
Colorado changes fees through the Division’s fee-setting process; confirm the amount shown in the current online transaction.
How can I contact the nursing authority in Colorado?
Colorado Board of Nursing publishes 303-894-7800 and 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202.