Puerto Rico's autism training for public school staff (Ley 163-2024, Articles 9 and 21): what the law asks, and where outside training fits
The short answer
Puerto Rico law requires the Department of Education to offer trainings and courses on autism spectrum disorders, adapted for all of its teaching staff and a long list of other school staff, from school psychologists and directors to cafeteria employees, drivers, maintenance staff and assistants. The duty is in Article 9 of Ley 163-2024, Puerto Rico's autism law, which replaced Ley 220-2012. Article 9 sets no training hours or schedule, but Article 21 sets continuing-education hours: special education teachers whose main or regular duty is directly serving students with autism must complete 18 continuing-education credit hours every two years, and clinical, educational and other professionals who serve people with autism must take at least 15 credit hours on autism every three years within the continuing education already required of them.
What the law says
Ley 163-2024, Article 9 (24 L.P.R.A. § 6209), under the heading "Capacitación Docente" (teacher training):
"El Departamento de Educación será responsable de la contratación del personal docente especializado en educación especial y que posean la certificación correspondiente para laborar con estudiantes con Trastornos del Espectro Autista. Además, ofrecerá adiestramientos y cursos relacionados con Trastornos del Espectro Autista adaptados para todo su personal docente, proveedores de servicios"
The sentence continues with related-service providers, school psychologists, social workers, school directors, counselors and other support staff, "incluyendo empleados del comedor escolar, choferes, personal de mantenimiento, y asistentes."
In English (our translation): The Department of Education will be responsible for hiring teaching staff specialized in special education who hold the corresponding certification to work with students with autism spectrum disorders. In addition, it will offer trainings and courses related to autism spectrum disorders, adapted for all of its teaching staff, related-service providers, school psychologists, social workers, school directors, counselors and other support staff, including school cafeteria employees, drivers, maintenance staff, and assistants.
The same article says the special education and related services the Department offers include, when needed, "los servicios de un asistente debidamente capacitado y adiestrado" (our translation: the services of a duly qualified and trained assistant).
Article 21 (24 L.P.R.A. § 6221), on the development and training of professionals, adds a general statement for everyone who serves people with autism:
"El adiestramiento en Autista debe ser requisito para todos los proveedores de servicios que interactúen con esta población y sus familias."
In English (our translation): Autism training must be a requirement for all service providers who interact with this population and their families. That sentence sets no hours or frequency, but Article 21(b), "Educación continua" (continuing education), does:
"Se dispone que todo profesional clínico, educativo, de consejería en rehabilitación y profesional o administrativo que ofrezca servicios, tratamiento o procedimiento, incluyendo a los médicos primarios y pediatras, de la población con el Trastorno de Espectro Autista, deberá tomar, dentro de los créditos de educación continua que se les requiere, un mínimo de quince (15) horas crédito sobre Autismo, cada tres (3) años."
In English (our translation): Every clinical, educational, rehabilitation-counseling, and professional or administrative person who offers services, treatment or procedures to the population with autism spectrum disorder, including primary care physicians and pediatricians, must take, within the continuing-education credits required of them, a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours on autism every three (3) years. The article adds that failing to meet these requirements carries suspension or cancellation of any license to operate an entity or to carry out one's duties.
"No obstante, todo maestro de educación especial, que en el ejercicio de su profesión su función principal o regular sea atender directamente a estudiantes de la población con Trastornos del Espectro Autista, como parte de sus requisitos de educación continua se asegurarán de cumplir con dieciocho (18) horas crédito de educación continua cada dos (2) años"
In English (our translation): However, every special education teacher whose main or regular professional duty is directly serving students with autism spectrum disorders will, as part of their continuing-education requirements, make sure to complete eighteen (18) continuing-education credit hours every two (2) years, to keep their skills, knowledge and educational approaches on autism spectrum disorders up to date. Elsewhere in Article 21, other professionals who may interact with this population, including those related to security and emergency response, "deben recibir adiestramientos anualmente, por recursos capacitados, sobre cómo evaluar e interactuar con la población de personas con Trastornos del Espectro Autista" (our translation: must receive training every year, from qualified trainers, on how to evaluate and interact with people with autism spectrum disorders). Article 21(b) repeats this for "otros profesionales y trabajadores" (our translation: other professionals and workers) who may interact with this population, naming those in security, rapid response, emergency rooms and government service offices: they must receive annual training from qualified trainers on how to interact with and respond to the needs of people with autism spectrum disorders.
Ley 163-2024 took effect immediately on approval and repealed Ley 220-2012. Source: Ley 163-2024, as amended, compiled by the Oficina de Gerencia y Presupuesto (an unofficial compilation; the signed law reads the same for Articles 9 and 21), Articles 9, 21, 34 and 36.
Where outside training fits
Article 9 tells the Department of Education to offer the training; it does not name a provider or require the Department to buy an outside course, and it does not explain how an outside course would be accepted. Article 9 places the duty to offer training on the Department of Education. Article 21's general statement is not limited to Department staff. Article 21(b) says the University of Puerto Rico, in collaboration with the Department of Education, and the private entities and institutions that govern the professions serving this population "tendrán que estructurar y desarrollar cursos y seminarios sobre los Trastornos del Espectro Autista" (our translation: must structure and develop courses and seminars on autism spectrum disorders); it does not say how other courses are accepted toward its continuing-education hours. Before buying outside training for this purpose, ask the Department of Education, or your school's regional office, what autism training it offers and how it evaluates outside courses. We offer this course as introductory ABA training. We do not claim that it satisfies Article 9 or Article 21 of Ley 163-2024 or any other Puerto Rico requirement, that it counts toward the continuing-education credit hours in Article 21(b), or 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 Puerto Rico 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 30, 2026.