Idaho's yearly behavior training for school staff (Idaho Code § 33-1224(5)): what the law asks, and where outside training fits
The short answer
Idaho law requires all public and charter school staff directly assigned to students or classrooms to receive professional development training every year on positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques and classroom behavior management. Staff directly serving students or classrooms with students who demonstrate aggressive or dangerous behaviors must also receive yearly training in crisis management, de-escalation techniques, the correct use of restraints and seclusion when required, and the implementation of functional behavior assessment, behavior intervention plans and crisis plans. The law does not name autism and does not set a number of hours.
What the law says
Idaho Code § 33-1224(5):
"All public and charter school staff directly assigned to students or classrooms shall receive annual professional development training regarding positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques, and classroom behavior management. All staff directly serving students or classrooms with students who demonstrate aggressive or dangerous behaviors shall receive annual professional development training in crisis management, de-escalation techniques, the correct use of restraints and seclusion when required, and the implementation of functional behavior assessment, behavior intervention plans, and crisis plans."
Subsection (4) gives the state a role: "The state department of education shall prepare resources, guidance, and training modules to support schools in adhering to the provisions of this section."
The same section limits restraint and seclusion. Subsection (3) says: "Restraint and seclusion shall not be used as forms of discipline or methods of classroom governance." It allows physical or mechanical restraint or seclusion "only in circumstances where a pupil's conduct has placed himself, employees, or any other individual in imminent danger of serious bodily harm." Our course does not teach restraint, de-escalation or crisis intervention.
Certificate renewal for certificated staff
Idaho's State Board of Education rule IDAPA 08.02.02.060 sets the general professional development requirement for certificate renewal, with exceptions for some credentials:
"All certificated personnel must complete at least six (6) semester credit hours or equivalent professional development within the five (5) year validity period of the certificate being renewed."
The rule also says: "At least three (3) semester credits shall be taken for postsecondary credit and verified by official or unofficial transcript." Credits "must be related to the individualized professional learning plan or the professional practice of the applicant." Under subsection 060.02.d, pupil service staff certificate holders who hold a professional license through the appropriate Idaho state licensing board may use renewal of that license toward renewal of their pupil service staff certificate instead of these requirements. The rule does not name autism or behavior as a required topic.
Source: Idaho Code § 33-1224; IDAPA 08.02.02, Rules Governing Uniformity, section 060.
Where outside training fits
Section 33-1224 does not name a provider for the yearly training, and it does not explain how a district should judge an outside course. The state department of education must prepare resources, guidance and training modules for schools. Separately, a school district board "may establish for the district, uniform requirements for in-service training of certificated personnel" (Idaho Code § 33-1220). For certificate renewal, "All requests for equivalent in-service training to apply toward renewal, except occupational specialist certificates, must be approved by the local education agency." We do not claim that our course satisfies § 33-1224(5), counts toward the yearly training, or counts toward Idaho certificate renewal credit. Before buying outside training for these purposes, ask your district how it meets § 33-1224(5) and 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 Idaho 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.