Does Hawaii require autism training for school staff? What Hawaii law asks, and where outside training fits
The short answer
In the Hawaii education laws and rules we searched, we found no requirement that public school staff complete autism training. The closest duty is in the restraint law: Hawaii public schools must make sure that staff who use restraint are trained, recertified, or both, at least once a year, and that training includes positive behavioral supports and interventions. Hawaii law also prohibits seclusion in public schools.
What we found
On October 29, 2026, we read the current text of every section of Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 302A (Education) and searched it for autism, positive behavior, behavioral support, de-escalation, challenging behavior and training. We also searched the special education rules in Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 8, Chapter 60, and the Hawaii State Department of Education's requirements for educational assistants. We found no autism-training requirement for teachers or educational assistants in those sources. Chapter 302A does not mention autism. Chapter 60 includes autism spectrum disorder in its special education eligibility definitions; our search found no staff autism-training requirement there. We did not review the charter school law (Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 302D) or the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board's license renewal rules, so this finding does not establish that no requirement exists elsewhere.
Related training rules for Hawaii school staff
Annual restraint training, recertification, or both for staff who use restraint. Hawaii Revised Statutes § 302A-1141.4(g):
"All public schools shall ensure that staff who use restraint in facilities or programs are trained, recertified, or trained and recertified on a periodic basis no less frequently than annually. Training shall include: (1) Evidence-based techniques shown to be effective in the prevention of restraint; (2) Evidence-based techniques shown to be effective in keeping school personnel and students safe when imposing restraint; (3) Evidence-based skills related to positive behavioral supports and interventions, safe physical escort, conflict prevention, understanding antecedents, de-escalation, and conflict management; (4) A wide array of prevention and intervention modalities; and (5) Information describing state policies and procedures that meet the minimum standards established by state statutes and administrative rules."
This duty covers staff who use restraint, not every school employee. Under subsection (d) of the same section, the written information parents receive when their child enters public school must include "a brief summary describing the training received by public school staff in using restraint in facilities or programs." Our course does not teach restraint, de-escalation or crisis intervention.
Seclusion is prohibited. Hawaii Revised Statutes § 302A-1141.3: "The use of seclusion, chemical restraint, or mechanical restraint shall be prohibited in public schools regardless of any consent of the student, parents, or guardians."
What educational assistants must have to be hired. The Hawaii State Department of Education says a paraeducator "works under the supervision of teachers or other professional practitioners." Its stated minimum for educational assistants:
"At minimum, Educational Assistants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent AND one of the following: Successful completion of an examination approved by the Department, such as the ParaPro or ParaPathways Assessment provided by the Education Testing Service (ETS). At least 48 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution recognized by the Department, which included 3 credits in mathematics and 3 credits in English. An associate degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department."
These are hiring qualifications. They do not include autism or behavior training hours.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 302A-1141.4; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 302A-1141.3; Hawaii State Department of Education, Licensure & Certification.
Where outside training fits
Our search found no autism-training requirement in the sources we reviewed, so we found no state autism-training requirement for an outside course to meet. The restraint-training rule in § 302A-1141.4(g) does not name a provider. We do not claim that our course meets that rule or any other Hawaii requirement, or that it counts toward any hours, credit or license renewal. If your school wants autism training for its staff, ask your school, complex area or the Hawaii State Department of Education how it evaluates outside courses before you buy.
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 Hawaii 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 school'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.