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Special Education Credentials
What does the Special Education Credential authorize me to teach?
Credential holders who serve children with disabilities must possess a credential that authorizes teaching the disability of the pupils within the special education class as determined by the program placement recommendation contained within the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
The Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes the holder to teach in the area of specialization listed on the credential in the following settings:
- Special day classes
- Special schools
- Home/hospital settings
- Correctional facilities
- Nonpublic schools and agencies
- Resource rooms
Areas of Specialization
Mild/Moderate Disabilities (M/M)
Includes specific learning disabilities; mild to moderate mental retardation; attention deficit and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders; serious emotional disturbance; and authorizes service in grades K-12 and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.
Moderate/Severe Disabilities (M/S)
Includes autism; deaf-blindness; moderate to severe mental retardation; multiple disabilities; serious emotional disturbance; and authorizes service in grades K-12 and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)
Includes deafness; hearing impairment; deaf-blindness; and authorizes service to individuals ages birth through 22.
Visual Impairments (VI)
Includes blindness; visual impairment; deaf-blindness; and authorizes service to individuals ages birth through 22.
Physical and Health Impairments (PHI)
Includes orthopedic impairment; other health impairment; multiple disabilities; traumatic brain injury; and authorizes service to individuals ages birth through 22.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Includes the mild/moderate and moderate/severe disabilities listed above, and authorizes service to children ages birth to pre-kindergarten only.
Terms and Definitions
SPECIAL EDUCATION TERMS & DEFINITIONS
Full-time Teaching Experience
- Experience must be full-time teaching; no part-time or a combination of teaching and other school employment will be accepted
- All experience must be gained in regionally-accredited schools in states or U.S. Territory other than California
- Teaching experience does not need to correspond with the type of certification requested and may be a combination of regular education and special education
- Adult and vocational education experience is not acceptable
- Teaching experience gained in California is not acceptable
- Teaching experience must be verified by the superintendent, assistant superintendent, or director of personnel on official letterhead of the district or districts where the teacher was employed
- Original evaluations or photocopies of the teacher's performance for at least two years of teaching must be submitted
- Day-to-day substitute teaching experience is not acceptable
- Full-time teaching experience is defined as a minimum of four periods a day for at least 75 percent of the school year
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