A Colorado law signed in June 2026 quietly expands who must provide disability accommodations for licensing exams—and it may affect your business.
Most Colorado auto service owners don't realize that a provision buried in HB1417, the Anti-Discrimination Act Testing Entities bill, may apply directly to them if they offer, administer, or partner with providers on licensing, certification, or credentialing exams.
Here's what changed, and why it matters.
HB1417, signed into law on June 4, 2026, amends Colorado's anti-discrimination statute (Section 24-34-806(2)(c), found on Page 3 of the bill). The change sounds technical, but it has real consequences for how exams are delivered in Colorado.
Previously, the law required disability accommodations only from private entities operating in Colorado or from state and local government agencies. The new language expands that requirement to cover "any person or business" that offers licensing, certification, or credentialing exams.
That's a significant broadening. It now includes trade schools, vocational testing centers, professional prep course providers, and other small businesses that administer exams—not just large testing corporations or government bodies.
If your auto service business directly administers exams (for technician certification, for example), or if you partner with a testing provider or training organization that does, this law applies to you.
The requirement: any exam or course must be offered in an accessible format. That means accommodations for people with disabilities—which can include extended time, alternative formats, assistive technology, or other reasonable adjustments depending on the individual's needs.
If you currently outsource exam administration to a third party, you should verify that your partner is aware of this requirement and has a plan to comply.
The law becomes effective on August 12, 2026—assuming no referendum petition is filed to block it. That gives businesses roughly two months from the signing date to prepare.
If you offer exams or training that leads to licensing or certification, now is the time to audit your current process and identify what changes may be needed to meet the new standard.
Review any exams your business administers or any training programs you offer. If you're partnering with external testing providers, contact them directly to confirm they understand the new requirement and have accommodations in place. If you're handling exams in-house, consider consulting with a compliance professional to understand what accommodations your specific exams will require.
The law doesn't specify which accommodations apply to which exams—that's determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the individual's disability and the exam's essential functions. Reasonableness is the standard, not perfection.
Colorado's auto service trade associations and the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies may issue additional guidance as the August 12 deadline approaches. It's worth checking back with your industry contacts for updates.
This summary reflects the text of HB1417 as signed on June 4, 2026. For the full bill language, see Section 2, Page 3 (amending 24-34-806(2)(c)). Businesses with specific compliance questions should consult legal counsel or their state trade association.