Does New Mexico require autism training for school staff? What New Mexico law asks, and where outside training fits
The short answer
We found no New Mexico law or rule that requires all school staff to complete autism training. New Mexico's special education rule applies to public agencies and requires the IEP team developing the IEP of a student with autism spectrum disorder who is eligible for special education to consider, and document that it considered, a list of strategies that includes training for the personnel who work with the student. Separately, New Mexico's rule for public schools allows restraint or seclusion only by school employees trained in de-escalation strategies, positive behavioral intervention supports, and the safe and effective use of restraint and seclusion techniques, unless an emergency leaves too little time to summon those trained employees. Designated school personnel must attend training at least every two years or complete another demonstration of up-to-date competency.
What we found
On October 29, 2026, we searched the Public School Code (Chapter 22 of the New Mexico Statutes) and the Public Education Department's rules on student conduct and restraint, children with disabilities, and continuing licensure for educators. We looked for autism, positive behavior, behavior intervention, de-escalation and staff training. We found no law or rule that requires school staff, as a group, to complete autism training. The autism item we found is part of how an IEP is built for a student with autism, set out below.
Related training rules for New Mexico school staff
### Staff training as part of a student's IEP For students with autism spectrum disorders eligible for special education, 6.31.2.11(B)(5) NMAC says "the strategies described in Subparagraphs (a) through (k) of this paragraph shall be considered by the IEP team in developing the IEP for the student. The IEP team shall document consideration of the strategies." One of those strategies is:
"(j) professional educator and staff support, including training provided to personnel who work with the student to assure the correct implementation of techniques and strategies described in the IEP"
The list also includes positive behavior support strategies and "teaching strategies based on peer reviewed, research-based practices for students with ASD, including those associated with discrete-trial training, visual supports, applied behavior analysis, structured learning, augmentative communication, and social skills training." The rule requires the IEP team to consider these strategies and to address them in the IEP "when needed to provide FAPE" (a free appropriate public education). Staff support, including training, must be considered for each eligible student with autism and addressed in the IEP when needed to provide FAPE; this provision sets no training hours or schedule.
### Preparation of special education staff Under 6.31.2.9(B)(9)(a) NMAC, each public agency "is responsible for ensuring that personnel serving children with disabilities are qualified under state licensure requirements and are adequately prepared for their assigned responsibilities." Paraprofessionals and assistants may assist in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities under Part B of IDEA if they are appropriately trained and supervised in accordance with applicable department licensure rules or written department policy.
### Restraint and seclusion training State law, NMSA 1978, § 22-5-4.12(B)(3), says a restraint or seclusion technique "shall be used only by school employees who are trained in the safe and effective use of restraint and seclusion techniques unless an emergency situation does not allow sufficient time to summon those trained school employees." The state rule adds a schedule, in 6.11.2.10(E)(3)(a) NMAC:
"School districts and charter schools shall provide training for designated school personnel regarding de-escalation strategies, positive behavioral intervention supports, or other comparable behavior management techniques and the use of restraint or seclusion techniques. Designated school personnel shall attend training at least every two years or complete a certification course, exam, or other comparable demonstration of competency that provides evidence that the individual has up-to-date knowledge of proper restraint and seclusion techniques."
When new designated school personnel are identified after the training or competency demonstration has been provided, the school district or charter school must ensure that training or another competency demonstration is provided to them within 60 days of being designated. Our course does not teach restraint, de-escalation or crisis intervention.
Source: 6.31.2 NMAC; 6.11.2 NMAC; NMSA 1978, Chapter 22, § 22-5-4.12 (NMOneSource).
Where outside training fits
These provisions do not name an outside provider or explain how an outside course would be accepted. The restraint and seclusion rule requires school districts and charter schools to provide training for designated school personnel. For an eligible student with autism, the IEP team must consider, and document that it considered, staff support, including training to implement the IEP correctly, and address it in the IEP when needed to provide FAPE. Before buying outside training for any of these purposes, ask your district or school what training it provides and how it evaluates outside courses. We offer this course as introductory ABA training. We do not claim that it satisfies 6.31.2.11 NMAC, 6.11.2.10 NMAC, § 22-5-4.12 or any other New Mexico requirement, and 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 New Mexico 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.