Does Michigan require autism training for school staff? What Michigan law asks, and where outside training fits
The short answer
In the Michigan sources we searched, we found no general requirement that school staff complete autism-specific in-service training; separate autism-specific requirements apply to teacher education programs for teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder. A related duty appears in Michigan's seclusion and restraint law, MCL 380.1307g: each school district, intermediate school district and public school academy must implement a training framework that includes awareness training for all school personnel who have regular contact with pupils and comprehensive training for key identified personnel. For Michigan's Standard and Professional Teaching Certificates, 150 hours of education-related professional learning is one renewal option; the renewal pages we reviewed do not list an autism-specific content requirement.
What we found
On October 29, 2026, we read MCL 380.1307 through 380.1307h except section 1307a, which would not load, and used a web search limited to legislature.mi.gov to look for autism training duties in the Revised School Code. We also read the Michigan Department of Education's teaching certificate renewal pages. These searches found no general autism-specific in-service training mandate for school staff. Separately, Michigan Administrative Rule R 340.1799 says: "The teacher education program for teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder shall include a minimum of 30 semester or equivalent hours pursuant to R 340.1781, R 340.1782, and all of the following". The content it lists includes the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder, language and communication, and "Using behavioral supports and intervention". This is a teacher preparation requirement, not a yearly training requirement for school staff.
Related training rules for Michigan school staff
Seclusion and restraint training framework. MCL 380.1307g says the state policy shall include these training provisions:
"(a) In accordance with department guidelines, a school district, intermediate school district, or public school academy shall implement a comprehensive training framework that includes awareness training for all school personnel who have regular contact with pupils and comprehensive training for key identified personnel as described in subdivision (b)."
"(b) A school district, intermediate school district, or public school academy shall identify sufficient key personnel to ensure that trained personnel are generally available for an emergency situation."
Before using emergency seclusion or emergency physical restraint, key identified personnel "shall be trained in all of subparagraphs (i) to (xvi)," which include "Proactive practices and strategies that ensure the dignity of pupils" and "De-escalation techniques," and "should be trained in all of subparagraphs (xvii) to (xx)," which include "Positive behavioral intervention and support strategies." The section says the training "may include online training that is developed or approved by the department." It was added by 2016 Public Act 401, effective March 29, 2017. Our course does not teach restraint, seclusion, crisis intervention or de-escalation.
Teaching certificate renewal. The Michigan Department of Education's renewal pages say the Standard and Professional Teaching Certificates are five-year certificates with unlimited renewals. For the Standard Teaching Certificate, one way to renew is "150 hours of Education Related Professional Learning." For the Professional Teaching Certificate, one way is "Education-Related Professional Learning totaling 150 hours." These pages do not require autism or disability content.
Sources: MCL 380.1307g; MCL 380.1307; Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education, R 340.1799 (MDE); MDE, Standard Renewal; MDE, Professional Renewal.
Where outside training fits
MCL 380.1307g says the seclusion and restraint training may include online training "developed or approved by the department." MCL 380.1307g does not name a provider; our search of the sources described above found no law naming a provider for autism training. Before buying outside training for any Michigan requirement, including certificate renewal hours, ask your district or the Michigan Department of Education how it evaluates outside courses. We do not claim that our course meets MCL 380.1307g, counts toward the 150 hours of education-related professional learning, or replaces any training Michigan requires. We do not claim a number of training hours for it.
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 Michigan 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.