Arkansas's required behavior training for special education paraprofessionals (6 CAR § 130-2402(b)(1) and DESE's required modules): what the rule asks, and where outside training fits
The short answer
In Arkansas, public agencies may use paraprofessionals to provide special education and related services only if they are appropriately trained and supervised under guidelines established by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). DESE's paraprofessional training page says the required training for paraprofessionals working with students with special needs consists of modules on Foundations in Special Education, Introduction to Behavior and Special Health Care Needs. In the DESE rules we reviewed, we found no requirement that school staff complete autism training.
What the law says
Arkansas's special education rule on personnel standards, 6 CAR § 130-2402(b)(1):
"Public agencies may only use paraprofessionals in the provision of special education and related services who are appropriately trained and supervised in accordance with guidelines established by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education."
DESE's Required Modules page says:
"The required training for paraprofessionals working with students with special needs consists of Modules on the Foundations in Special Education, Introduction to Behavior and Special Health Care Needs."
The page lists six one-hour Foundations and Behavior modules on ArkansasIDEAS. The three behavior modules are Supporting Effective Behavior, General Classroom Management Systems and Behavior Intervention Plans. The page says these modules "are also available to all certified teachers, administrators, and educational staff." It says a registered nurse must provide the six-hour Special Health Care Needs training. The page shows no price. It does not say how often the training must be repeated.
Arkansas's time-out seclusion rule adds, at 6 CAR § 130-2004(j)(1):
"In addition, it is necessary that all personnel involved in designing and implementing behavioral management procedures, including the use of time-out seclusion, be adequately trained and supervised."
We reviewed DESE's current rules on professional development, special education personnel, time-out seclusion and special education program standards. We did not review the Arkansas Code itself.
Source: 6 CAR § 130-2402; DESE Required Modules; 6 CAR § 130-2004.
Where outside training fits
DESE lists the six Foundations and Behavior modules as available on ArkansasIDEAS, and separately lists six hours of Special Health Care Needs training that a registered nurse must provide. Arkansas's professional development rule says autism may be a topic of professional development for educators, but it does not require it. That rule also says all professional development providers and programs "must be approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to be eligible to provide credit" toward required professional development. We do not claim that our course is approved by DESE, replaces the required paraprofessional modules, or counts toward required professional development. A district may still choose added training for its staff. Ask your district or DESE how it evaluates outside courses before buying one for a requirement.
Source: 6 CAR pt. 183, Rule Governing Professional Development.
What our Intro to ABA Level 1 course covers
The Intro to ABA Level 1 course teaches methods and techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for parents and caregivers, teachers, paraprofessionals and behavior technicians who work with a child every day. Topics include what autism is, what ABA is, pairing, errorless teaching and prompting, and active student responding. Complete the course and pass its 40-question final exam with a score of at least 80%. Completing this course earns a Special Learning certificate of completion. That certificate is not a continuing education (CE) certificate. It is basic training in ABA methods for daily practice, not a professional credential. We do not claim Arkansas state approval or continuing education credit for this course.
A paraprofessional who took it wrote: "I want to learn everything I can to help my student succeed in the public school system. I found Special Learning's ABA level 1 course so fascinating and inspiring."
Two ways to start
- For one person: try the first two sessions free for 7 days; account creation is required, with no payment information requested. The full course costs $199, paid once, with no subscription or recurring charge. Activate your license code within 90 days of purchase; the published completion window is 10 weeks after activation. You may request a later start date, no later than three months after purchase. Start the free sessions
- For your district's staff: tell us how many people need training and when, and we will send a quote; each participant who completes the course and passes its 40-question final exam with a score of at least 80% earns an individual certificate of completion. Ask for a school quote
Last reviewed: October 29, 2026.