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Oklahoma's autism training for early-grades school staff (70 O.S. § 6-194): what the law asks, and where outside training fits

The short answer

Oklahoma law requires every teacher and education support professional who works with students in early childhood programs through grade three to complete autism training at least once every three years. Resident teachers in those grades complete it during their resident year and at least once every three years after. The training must be offered once a year and must include awareness of the characteristics of autistic children, available resources, and an introduction to positive behavior supports for challenging behavior. Section 6-194(E) does not specify a minimum number of hours for this autism training.

What the law says

Section 6-194(E) of Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes:

"One time per year, beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, training in the area of autism shall be offered and all resident teachers of students in early childhood programs through grade three shall be required to complete the autism training during the resident year and at least one time every three (3) years thereafter. All other teachers and education support professionals of students in early childhood programs through grade three shall be required to complete the autism training at least one time every three (3) years. The autism training shall include a minimum awareness of the characteristics of autistic children, resources available and an introduction to positive behavior supports to challenging behavior."

On who may provide it, the same subsection says: "Districts are authorized to utilize any means for professional development that is not prohibited by law including, but not limited to, professional development provided by the district, any state agency, institution of higher education, or any private entity."

Source: Oklahoma Statutes, Title 70 (official compiled title), § 6-194.

The course districts already have

The Oklahoma State Department of Education offers a self-paced course, Autism Awareness 2026-2027, on its OSDE Connect catalog. The course listing says it is intended to help districts meet this requirement and is geared toward pre-kindergarten through third grade general education teachers. Start there: Autism Awareness 2026-2027 on OSDE Connect.

Where outside training fits

The law authorizes districts to use professional development from private providers and other sources, provided the means used are not prohibited by law. It does not require districts to buy an outside course. Ask your district whether it will accept a particular course toward its professional development requirements. District acceptance alone does not establish that a course covers all the autism-training content required by § 6-194(E). We do not claim our training meets § 6-194(E) on its own.

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% to earn a certificate of completion. It is basic training in ABA methods for daily practice, not a professional credential, and the certificate is not a CE certificate. We do not claim Oklahoma state approval or Oklahoma professional development 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