Does Colorado require autism training for school staff? What Colorado law asks, and where outside training fits
The short answer
In the Colorado education statutes and state rules we reviewed, we found no requirement that school staff complete autism-specific training. For each renewal of a professional teacher license expiring on or after June 30, 2025, teachers must complete at least ten clock hours total in culturally responsive, trauma- and evidence-informed behavioral health training and awareness of laws and practices for educating students with disabilities in the classroom, with at least one hour in each area. For each renewal of a professional special services, principal or administrator license expiring on or after June 30, 2025, licensees must complete at least ten clock hours on awareness of laws and practices for educating students with disabilities. Special education paraprofessionals must be appropriately trained and supervised for their roles.
What we found
On October 29, 2026, we searched the 2026 edition of the Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 22 (education), for autism, positive behavior, behavior intervention, challenging behavior and de-escalation, and reviewed the state rules for the Exceptional Children's Educational Act (1 CCR 301-8) and the state rules on restraint and seclusion in schools (1 CCR 301-45) for relevant training provisions. We found no autism-specific training requirement in them. We found the related rules below.
Related training rules for Colorado school staff
Teachers renewing a professional license. C.R.S. § 22-60.5-110(3)(f)(I):
"In selecting professional development activities for renewal of a professional teacher license only, in addition to the other requirements set forth in this section, except for those set forth for special services, principal, or administrator licenses in subsection (3)(b.7) of this section, the professional teacher licensee shall complete a minimum of ten clock hours of the professional development hours required during the term of any professional license in training relating to: (A) Behavioral health training that is culturally responsive and trauma- and evidence-informed; and (B) 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."
The ten hours may be any combination of courses on these topics, "so long as at least one of the required clock hours" is in each area (§ 22-60.5-110(3)(f)(II)). The law lists programs the behavioral health training may include, among them "Training approved or provided by the school district where the teacher is employed" and "Training concerning students with behavioral concerns or disabilities" (§ 22-60.5-110(3)(f)(V)).
Special services providers, principals and administrators renewing a license. C.R.S. § 22-60.5-110(3)(b.7)(I) requires these licensees to complete "a minimum of ten clock hours of professional development hours required during the term of any special services, principal, or administrator license in professional development activities relating 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."
The Colorado Department of Education's guidance says this applies to a professional license "that expires on or after June 30, 2025," and that "This is an ongoing requirement for every renewal of a professional license after the above date."
Paraprofessionals who serve students with disabilities. Under the state's special education rules, 1 CCR 301-8, Rule 3.04(1)(e), paraprofessionals must be appropriately and adequately trained and supervised for their roles; each administrative unit or approved facility school determines their required qualifications, competencies and training. Rule 3.04(1)(e)(i) adds:
"Required training should be based on the necessary skills for the role of the paraprofessional and completed prior to starting service or within a reasonable period of time based on the necessity of the skills being taught. Any necessary refresher training should be completed annually."
The rule's examples of role-appropriate training include "the characteristics of disabling conditions" and "proper techniques for behavior modification and de-escalation." Administrative units and approved facility schools must assure and document compliance with requirements for supervision and training of non-certificated personnel (Rule 3.04(1)(e)(iii)). Our course does not teach de-escalation or crisis intervention.
Staff who use restraint. The state's restraint rules, 1 CCR 301-45, Rule 6.00(1), say: "A local education provider that uses restraint must ensure that all employees and agents who are involved in using restraint in its facilities or programs are trained." Rule 6.00(2): "Retraining shall occur at a frequency of at least every two years." Our course does not teach restraint or crisis intervention.
Sources: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 22 (§ 22-60.5-110), CDE: Special Education and Behavioral Health Licensure Renewal Requirements, 1 CCR 301-8, ECEA Rules (Rule 3.04(1)(e)), 1 CCR 301-45, restraint and seclusion rules (Rule 6.00).
Where outside training fits
For license renewal, the Colorado Department of Education says: "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." For paraprofessionals, each administrative unit or approved facility school determines required training based on their roles. We do not claim that our course satisfies or counts toward the ten clock hours for license renewal, a paraprofessional's required training, or any other Colorado requirement. Before buying outside training for any of these purposes, ask your district, your administrative unit or the Colorado Department of Education how it evaluates outside courses.
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 Colorado 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.