Special Education and Behavioral Health Licensure Renewal Requirements

As a result of the passage of HB 20-1128 and HB 20-1312 during the 2020 legislative session, educators are now required to complete a minimum of 10 contact hours of training in special education and behavioral health in order to renew their professional license:

• This requirement applies to all educators seeking to renew any teacher, special service provider, principal and/or administrator professional license that expires on or after June 30, 2025. 
• This is an ongoing requirement for every renewal of a professional license after the above date.
• For renewal of a professional teacher license, at least 10 of the 90 contact hours of professional development activities must be related to:
  • behavioral health training that is culturally responsive and trauma- and evidence-informed, which may include:
    • mental health first aid training, specific to youth and teens
    • training modules concerning teen suicide prevention
    • training on interconnected systems framework for positive behavioral interventions and supports and mental health
    • training approved or provided by the school district where the teacher is employed
    •  training modules concerning child traumatic stress
  • increasing awareness of laws and practices relating to educating students with disabilities in the classroom, including but not limited to Child Find and inclusive learning environments
• For the renewal of a professional special services, principal or administrator license, at least 10 of the 90 contact hours of professional development activities must be related to:
  • increasing awareness of laws and practices relating to educating students with disabilities in the classroom, including but not limited to Child Find and inclusive learning environments
• An educator may obtain the 10 hours required through any combination of special education or behavioral health courses so long as that combination includes training in both areas. A single professional development course or activity may satisfy both content requirements.
• Professional development utilized to meet this requirement does not need to be approved by CDE. Educators should review the description of their selected coursework to ensure the content addressed aligns with the intentions described above.