American Board › Subjects › Special Education
Special Education
The special education certification program covers professional skills and background knowledge, general special education practices, a strong focus on special education laws, and more. This program is designed to ensure every student receives a quality education, regardless of ability.
Three exams
Your American Board Exams
American Board Special Education Exam
The special education certification program covers professional skills and background knowledge, general special education practices, a strong focus on special education laws, and more. The special education exam will not lead to certification unless paired with elementary education certification.
American Board Elementary Education Exam
The elementary certification program covers core subjects for our youngest learners including English language arts, history, math, and science. It also provides essential foundational knowledge for special education teachers.
Professional Teaching Knowledge Exam
All American Board teachers must demonstrate their competency in pedagogy (the art and science of teaching) to complete their certification.
Where you can teach
States Offering Special Education
American Board offers special education certification in the states listed below. Grade bands, state-required exams, and licensure steps vary by state, so select your state to see the specific requirements and to enroll.
Pricing
Plans For Everyone
Premium
- Content standards
- Study materials
- Study plan
- Practice exams and quizzes
- Job counseling workbook
- Job counseling webinar
Why this subject
Teaching Special Education
Proven Methodology
American Board’s program materials are aligned to nationally-recognized subject standards. We provide all the study materials you need to pass your certification exams.
Learn at Your Pace
American Board’s program is completely online and self-paced, so you can study and test when you feel prepared.
Real-World Experience
Bringing real-world experience into the classroom, you’ve got an opportunity to inspire the next generation of students to pursue this critically important subject.
Finish Without Debt
American Board is the fastest, most affordable pathway to your teaching career. Transform your passion for teaching into a meaningful career without years of unnecessary debt.
Before you enroll
Requirements
To maintain a trusted level of quality, each American Board teacher must meet two program entry requirements. Teacher candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and pass a background check.
Transcripts
American Board future teachers need a bachelor’s degree in any field; it does not have to match your teaching subject. Upon enrollment, provide all official transcripts to transcripts@americanboard.org.
Background Check
American Board requires that all teachers pass our mandatory background check. This is in addition to the background check that will be required by your state and local school.
Get an Inside Look at Your Course Materials
Our course materials are crafted by subject-matter experts, ensuring you have everything you need to pass your certification exams on the first try. Course materials include subject standards, study materials, study plans, work books, and plenty of practice exams.
Special Education Study Plan
Candidates who are the most successful in the program come to the table with a plan. That’s why we provide a Study Plan for each subject, to guide you through the process.
Special Education Standards
Each subject comes with its own list of standards. These standards align with nationally-recognized material and tell you what you need to know or know how to do in order to teach the subject you’re pursuing.
Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) Study Materials
The PTK course is automatically included with each subject area, and every American Board candidate is required to complete it.
Ready to teach Special Education?
Enroll online in minutes and start studying the same day — or try a free trial first to see how the program works. For state licensing steps, choose your state from the list above or browse all states where we operate.