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 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
• An educator may obtain the 10 hours required through any combination of special education or behavioral health courses so long as that combination includes substantial 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 pre-approved by CDE. Read more about professional development requirements.