Special Education FAQ

Special Education Teaching and Services Credentials, Added Authorizations in Special Education, and Limited Assignment Permits for California-Prepared Teachers

Frequently Asked Questions

A Special Education Glossary is available at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/specialed-glossary.pdf.

FAQs for the Language and Academic Development specialty area may be found at: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/special-education-docs/Special-Ed-LAD-FAQ.pdf

Education Specialist Credential – General Questions

A chart showing Special Education Documents Eligible to Earn Adapted Physical Education, Early Childhood Special Education and Resource Specialist Added Authorizations may be found at: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/APE-ECSE-RSP-chart.pdf.

1. How long will candidates have to earn a Clear credential after their preliminary credential is issued?
   There is no change in the valid period of Education Specialist documents. The Clear credential must be earned within five years from the date of issuance of the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential.
   


2. How will the credential renewal codes be affected by the changes in options to earn a Clear Education Specialist Credential?
   The authorization and renewal codes have been modified to be distinct for the Education Specialist Preliminary, Level I, and Clear credentials.

Special Education Limited Assignment Permit (SELAP)
See the SELAP information leaflet at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl889.pdf for additional information.

1. Are the specialty areas for the Special Education Limited Assignment Permit (SELAP) the same as those for the Added Authorization in Special Education (AASE)?
   No. The SELAP may be issued in the seven broad specialty areas of Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, Visual Impairments, Physical and Health Impairments, Language and Academic Development, and Early Childhood Special Education.
   
   The AASE is issued in six specific areas within the broad specialty areas: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Deaf-Blind, Emotional Disturbance, Orthopedic Impairments, Other Health Impairments, and Traumatic Brain Injury. However, when requesting the SELAP, indicate the broader category not the AASE area.
   
   The SELAP allows a credentialed special education teacher to serve outside of their authorized specialty area in another broad specialty area. In this manner, the SELAP provides appropriate authorization and may serve one of two purposes, allowing time for a special education teacher to either earn an AASE in a specific area or add another full specialty area authorization.
   
   If an educator holds a Mild/Moderate or Learning Handicapped credential and wants a SELAP in Moderate/Severe, they do not need to verify three semester units of coursework or one year of experience in the area being sought. This applies to those educators holding a Moderate/Severe or Severely Handicapped Credential applying for a Mild/Moderate SELAP. All other initial SELAP applications must include transcripts verifying three semester units in the specialty area being sought or the one year of experience. This includes the Early Childhood Special Education specialty area.
   
   
2. A teacher holds an Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities and needs an added authorization. Can an employer apply for a SELAP while an individual is earning an AASE? Or does the employer need to apply for a Short-Term Staff Permit (STSP), a Variable Term Waiver, or place the individual on a local teaching assignment option?
   If the applicant has met the requirements for the SELAP, it is the recommended choice. If the individual does not meet the SELAP requirements, the employer will need to determine if they should apply for the Waiver or the STSP. The local education assignment option for Autism provided in Education Code section 44265.1 was available until October 2013.
   
   
3. Is the Clinical or Rehabilitative or Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential WITHOUT a Special Class Authorization (SCA) an appropriate prerequisite for a SELAP?
   No. The holder of a Clinical or Rehabilitative or a Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Services Credential in Language, Speech and Hearing must have earned a SCA in order for the Clinical or Rehabilitative or SLP Services Credential to serve as an appropriate prerequisite to earn a SELAP. The SELAP is a teaching authorization thus it requires the individual to hold a special education teaching credential.
   
   
4. Will the Commission issue an extension on a SELAP in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) if the individual holds a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential and the individual cannot enroll in an ECSE Added Authorization program as the certificate program cannot accept holders of Preliminary special education credentials (program has not yet converted to an ECSE Added Authorization program)?
   ECSE, Adapted Physical Education, and Resource Specialist certificate programs transitioned their programs as of September 2012. The Commission will no longer issue another ECSE SELAP to an individual with a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential who cannot enroll in an ECSE Added Authorization program.
   
   
5. The holder of a SELAP in one specialty area switches to another specialty area. When requesting a subsequent SELAP, are renewal requirements needed? What are the renewal requirements if more than one specialty area is listed on SELAP?
   Switching Specialty Areas
   If the holder of a SELAP switches specialty areas, satisfaction of the renewal requirements is not required until the individual is trying to renew the SELAP for the new specialty area. However, it would be important to remember the educator must still have the experience or coursework in the new specialty area to qualify for the SELAP.
   
   Multiple Specialty Areas
   If more than one specialty area is listed on a valid SELAP, renewal requirements must be completed for each specialty area listed on the one document.

Added Authorizations in Special Education (AASE)
See the AASE information leaflet at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl890.pdf for additional information. A list of Documents Eligible to Earn Added Authorizations in Special Education may be found at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/special-ed-added-auth-chart.pdf. This list is only for the six specific Added Authorizations in Special Education and does apply to the Adapted Physical Education, Early Childhood Special Education, or the Resource Specialist Added Authorization or Certificates.

Specific assignment questions concerning Autism and Resource Specialist may be found in the Authorization or Assignment Issues section of these FAQs.

1. Must holders of Ryan Specialist Credential in Learning Handicapped and Level I Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities earn the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Added Authorization?
   No, it is not required unless the individual is providing services in the area of Autism or is required by a local level employer for employment purposes to hold the Autism authorization. An individual must hold an appropriate authorization or be otherwise legally authorized to serve in an assignment prior to providing instruction or service. An individual not required by assignment or employment to hold the Autism authorization has the option of earning this authorization and other credentials and authorizations.
   
   
2. Will the Added Authorization in ASD and the ASD Authorization included on the Preliminary Education Specialist Credentials be listed in the same way on the Education Specialist documents?
   Yes. The authorizations wording will look alike but will have different ‘codes’ in the Commission’s computer system so we can differentiate between the ones earned through the AASE and those earned through the Preliminary Education Specialist program. Program sponsors should remember to recommend candidates who have completed the Preliminary Education Specialist program in Mild/Moderate; Physical Health Impairments; Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Visual Impairments for the Autism Added Authorization since those candidates have completed the Autism content which is now embedded in their program.
   
   
3. Can the holder of a general education teaching credential earn an AASE?
   No. Special education added authorizations cannot be added to general education credentials, with the exception of APE which may be added to a single subject Physical Education credential.
   
   
4. Are Variable Term Waivers available for the AASE areas?
   Yes. For the fully credentialed special education holder, a waiver may be issued for one year only in each AASE area. However, the individual who has been issued a waiver in one of the specific added authorization areas cannot qualify for a waiver in the full specialty area. For example, an individual who held a waiver in Autism Spectrum Disorder cannot earn a subsequent waiver in Moderate/Severe Disabilities.
   
   An intern may earn the waiver in one-year increments but must complete a minimum of 6 semester units in the AASE are for the renewal. Waivers are issued at the request of an employing agency.
   
   
5. What is the final deadline to complete courses for the AASE?
   There is no deadline to obtain an AASE. Individuals are required to hold an appropriate authorization prior to providing the instruction or services.
   
   
6. Will the AASEs show up on the Commission’s Credential Look-up and Renewal website?
   Yes, the Added Authorizations will show up on the website. Some may appear in the individual’s Education Specialist Credential document information and some as a separate document depending on the type of document the held by the educator. 
   
   
7. Can an individual earn two AASEs at the same time?
   Yes. An individual may be recommended on one application for more than one added authorization if the Commission-approved program sponsor determines that the requirements for each added authorization are satisfied. If the individual already holds a Commission-issued credential or authorization in the disability area on a document, the AASE will not be issued as the Commission does not issue duplicative authorizations.
   
   
8. Am I correct in understanding that I will need to earn all of the six Added Authorizations in Special Education to continue teaching special education students in California?
   No, an individual who holds a California education specialist credential already holds an authorization in at least one of the AASEs. The Commission does not issue duplicative authorizations so in essence all six AASEs cannot be issued.
   
   It is not required to hold one or more of the AASEs unless the individual is providing services in one or more areas or is required by a local level employer for employment purposes to hold the authorizations. An individual not required by assignment or employment to hold an authorization has the option of earning the authorization and other credentials and authorizations.
   
   
9. How does an individual apply for an AASE following completion of the approved program?
   The completion of an AASE must be submitted by the approved program sponsor through the CTC Online recommendation process.
   
   
10. If an individual completed Autism courses in another state, how can they obtain an AASE?
    Individuals who have completed coursework in another state and wish to have an AASE must contact an approved California program sponsor for an evaluation.
    
    
11. Can an individual obtain an AASE other than at a college or university?
    Approved programs sponsors include colleges, universities, school districts, and county offices of education. See the link for approved programs at the beginning of this topic.
    
    
12. How can a university or local education agency become an approved program sponsor?
    When an institution wants to offer one or more educator preparation programs to prepare candidates to teach or provide services in the California public schools, the institution needs to be approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Approval by the Commission is a multistep process. Information is available on the Commission website at the following link: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/new-program-submission.html.
    
    
13. If an individual holding a Level I Education Specialist credential completes a Teacher Induction program and also an AASE in ASD program, would the program recommend for the Clear with the Added Authorization of ASD or the Clear Education Specialist Credential that includes ASD?
    
    If the holder of a Level I Education Specialist credential completes and applies for the Clear Education Specialist Credential and AASE in ASD; the program sponsor will recommend in the new CTC Online recommendation process for a Clear Education Specialist Credential. A separate AASE in ASD recommendation will be completed once the Clear credential has been issued. (recommending program sponsors must have Commission-approved programs in both areas). Two applications and two processing fees are required. Once the AASE in ASD has been issued, it will not need to be renewed but will remain valid as long as the appropriate prerequisite remains valid.
    
    If completed at two separate program sponsors, each program sponsor will need to submit a separate application and fee for each of the credential types. The approved program sponsor will need to recommend for the Clear credential first. Once that document has been issued, the other approved program sponsor may recommend for the AASE in ASD. It is the educators’ responsibility to notify both programs that they will be receiving two different recommendations. Once the AASE in ASD has been issued, it will not need to be renewed but will remain valid as long as the appropriate prerequisite remains valid.
    
    As a reminder, completion of the Teacher Induction Program by an individual with a Level I Education Specialist Credential does not result in the issuance of a credential with ASD. The ASD content is completed in the Preliminary program. The ASD authorization will only be automatically added to the document when a candidate completes a Preliminary Education Specialist program. Otherwise the candidate must complete the AASE in ASD program to earn the ASD authorization.
    
    
14. A candidate completes an AASE program in ASD but only holds a general education teaching credential and a Certificate of Eligibility for a Level I Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. Can the AASE be added to the Certificate of Eligibility? Can the program sponsor submit a recommendation for a Certificate of Eligibility with the AASE in ASD?
    By regulations an authorization, including an AASE, cannot be added to a Certificate of Eligibility. An individual must upgrade his/her Certificate of Eligibility to a Level I Education Specialist Credential before the AASE may be issued.
    
    The Educator must submit a paper application to upgrade from the Certificate of Eligibility to the Level I Education Specialist Credential. One-half of the current processing fee is required. A program sponsor cannot submit the application for the Level I Education Specialist Credential as a recommendation through the CTC Online process. After this document is issued, the AASE program sponsor may recommend through the CTC Online process for the AASE.
    
    
15. If the holder of an Early Childhood Special Education Credential also holds a Mild/Moderate Disabilities specialty area (issued prior to the date that ASD was included in the authorization), can they earn an AASE in ASD for the Mild/Moderate Disabilities specialty area?
    Yes, in some cases. Holders of Early Childhood Special Education Credentials combined with any specialty area except Moderate/Severe may add an ASD AASE if it will expand their authorization to serve students with autism. This is for individuals who completed a Level I Education Specialist program as the Preliminary program includes an ASD authorization.
    
    
16. Is there ever a time when the holder of a Clear Education Specialist Credential could add an AASE in ASD?
    Yes, a Clear Education Specialist Credential holder may add an ASD AASE if the clear credential does not already contain an authorization that authorizes the ASD. The ASD authorization is earned in the Preliminary program not in the Level I Education Specialist or Level II Education Specialist program. 
    
    
17. If an individual receives a Level I Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities, is Autism content in their program? Do the Preliminary Education Specialist programs include an Autism Spectrum Disorders authorization?
    An Autism authorization is included within the authorizations listed on Education Specialist Credentials in Moderate/Severe Disabilities and Early Childhood Special Education regardless if a Level I Education Specialist or Preliminary Education Specialist Program is completed. The Autism content is not included in any other specialty area for the Level I Education Specialist Credential but rather in the Preliminary Education Specialist program for the other five Education Specialist specialty areas. The Level I Education Specialist Credential holder in all areas except Moderate/Severe Disabilities and Early Childhood Special Education who needs the Autism authorization will need to earn the Added Authorization in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Teaching Experience Requirement
A chart with information on Teaching Experience and the Certificate of Eligibility may be found at https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/creds/special-ed/certificate-of-eligibility-and-teaching-experience-requirement-for-the-education-specialist-credential

1. Does a teacher need teaching experience to move from the Preliminary Education Specialist to a Clear Education Specialist Credential?
   Yes. Teaching experience is required. While completing the induction program, an individual must have ‘experience with students’ that have been identified as needing special education services. The individual does not have to be employed as the teacher of record in special education.

Certificate of Eligibility
A chart with information on the Certificate of Eligibility and Teaching Experience may be found at https://www.ctc.ca.https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/creds/special-ed/certificate-of-eligibility-and-teaching-experience-requirement-for-the-education-specialist-credential

1. Is the Certificate of Eligibility going away?
   The Certificate of Eligibility is not issued to individuals who complete the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential programs. Instead, a five-year Preliminary credential is issued. The Certificate of Eligibility was issued to candidates who completed a Level I Education Specialist program in California but were not employed. There are still candidates in California who possess a Certificate of Eligibility which is still eligible to be used to obtain a Level I Education Specialist Credential.
   
   
2. Does an individual with an Education Specialist Certificate of Eligibility have to activate his/her Level I credential before he/she is enrolled in an approved Teacher Induction program to be able to clear his/her Education Specialist Credential?
   Yes. The Educator must submit a paper application to upgrade from the Certificate of Eligibility to the Level I Education Specialist Credential. One-half of the current processing fee is required. A program sponsor cannot submit the application for the Level I Education Specialist Credential as a recommendation through the CTC Online process. The candidate will receive a Level I Education Specialist Credential valid for five years and then may enroll in a Teacher Induction Program.
   
   
3. If an individual has received a Certificate of Eligibility for an Education Specialist, how long is it valid?
   The Certificate of Eligibility does not expire and is only available for the Level I Education Specialist Credential.
   
   
4. If an individual receives a Certificate for Eligibility, does that release the program sponsor from recommending the individual for his/her credential when the time comes? Can the individual apply for his/her Level I Education Specialist Credential either through his/her employer or directly to the Commission?
   The Educator must submit a paper application to upgrade from the Certificate of Eligibility to the Level I Education Specialist Credential. One-half of the current processing fee is required. A program sponsor cannot submit the application for the Level I Education Specialist Credential as a recommendation through the CTC Online process.
   
   
5. A candidate completes an AASE program in ASD but only holds a general education teaching credential and a Certificate of Eligibility for a Level I Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. Can the AASE be added to the Certificate of Eligibility? Can the program sponsor submit a recommendation for a Certificate of Eligibility with the AASE in ASD?
   By regulations an authorization, including an AASE, cannot be added to a Certificate of Eligibility. An individual must upgrade his/her Certificate of Eligibility to a Level I Education Specialist Credential before the AASE may be issued.
   
   The Educator must submit a paper application to upgrade from the Certificate of Eligibility to the Level I Education Specialist Credential. One-half of the current processing fee is required. A program sponsor cannot submit the application for the Level I Education Specialist Credential as a recommendation through the CTC Online process. After the Level I document is issued, the AASE program sponsor may recommend through the CTC Online process for the AASE.

Education Specialist Educator Preparation Program Approval
Information on submitting a new Educator Preparation Program may be found at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/forms/Intent-to-Submit-a-New-Educator-PreparationProgram.pdf and http://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/new-program-submission.html.

A list of Commission-approved Education Specialist Programs may be found at https://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/reports/data/app-edu-prep-prog Select ‘Special Education Teaching’ and then select the specific specialty area under the Program Name heading.

1. What are the transition dates for Level I and Level II Education Specialist programs?
   According to the Title 5 regulations, the last date to enroll candidates in a Level I program was December 31, 2011 but all Level I Education Specialist programs had to transition to the Preliminary program standards by the end of September 2011. Level I Education Specialist candidates had to finish the Level I program by January 31, 2013.
   
   The last date to enroll a candidate into the Level II Education Specialist program was December 31, 2014, and candidates must finish the Level II program by January 31, 2019.

Credential Candidate Scenarios

1. If the California-prepared holder of a Level I Education Specialist Credential completes an additional Preliminary specialty area, will the individual be issued a Preliminary or Level I Education Specialist Credential? Will the ASD authorization be added to the document and will the individual need to complete an approved Teacher Induction program?
   The answer depends upon the term of the Education Specialist Credential currently held (Level I, Level II, Preliminary or Clear) by the individual. See the chart at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/special-ed-authorization-adding-full-speciality.pdf.
   
   If this individual completes a Preliminary program, a five-year Preliminary credential in the new specialty area with the English learner and ASD authorizations will be issued.
   
   Individuals who are California prepared and hold Level I Education Specialist Credentials must complete an approved Teacher Induction program in addition to the Level II content to qualify for the Clear Education Specialist Credential. Individuals who hold Preliminary Education Specialist Credentials are required to complete an approved Teacher Induction program to qualify for the Clear credential.
   
   Remember that the Moderate/Severe Disabilities and Early Childhood Special Education specialty areas include a full Autism authorization regardless if the individual completes a Level I or Preliminary program.
   
   
2. If a candidate with a Clear or Life Learning Handicapped Specialist Credential earns an Education Specialist Credential in Moderate/Severe Disabilities, will the Education Specialist Credential be issued as a Clear credential?
   
   The holder of a Clear or Life special education teaching credential such as a Ryan Specialist Credential in Learning Handicapped or a Standard Restricted in Speech and Hearing Therapy, who subsequently completes a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential program (in any specialty area) will earn a Clear Education Specialist Credential with the English learner and ASD authorizations. Specialty areas cannot be added to the previously initially issued special education credentials. In addition, these individuals do not need to complete the Teacher Induction program. There is not an option to submit this type of application in the CTC Online recommendation process. See below for application processing.
   
   Application Processing: For holders of Clear or Life Ryan, General or Standard special education credentials who complete a Preliminary specialty area(s) program, the program sponsor must submit a paper application for a Clear Education Specialist Credential. The ability to submit an application directly for the Clear credential is not an option in the new CTC Online recommendation process. This is regardless if the Preliminary program also has a Commission approved Teacher Induction Program.
   
   Recommendation form 41-SPED (http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/cig2/CIG-leaflets/41- SPED.pdf), the appropriate processing fee, and applicable supporting materials must be included.
   
   
3. How does an approved Teacher Induction Program work with candidates who hold the current Level I Education Specialist credential?
   If a Commission approved Teacher Induction Program elects to work with California prepared candidates who hold the current Level I Education Specialist Credential, the program MUST ensure that the candidate has completed all of the advanced content that existed in the Level II programs either through an existing preliminary approved program or a program that was previously approved to provide the Level II content and has met all of the additional requirements as listed on the candidate’s credential.
   For all other Level I candidates (which include out of state and out of country prepared), each candidate must have a transcript evaluation conducted by an approved preliminary program sponsor to determine what categorical requirements need to be met by the candidate in addition to the candidate’s requirement to complete a Teacher Induction program. Please refer to CL-808.
   
   
4. When a Level I credential holder completes an approved Teacher Induction Program, will he or she be recommended for a Level II or a Clear Education Specialist Credential?
   After meeting all of the Clear credential requirements including completion of an approved Teacher Induction program plus the advanced content from the Level II program, the program sponsor will recommend for a Clear Education Specialist Credential. The candidate did not complete a Level II program so the individual cannot be issued the Level II Education Specialist Credential.
   
   
5. An educator previously completed a Level I Education Specialist credential program. Can they complete a new Level I Education Specialist program in a different specialty area?
   No, the Level I Education Specialist programs have all been phased out.