Does Washington require autism training for school staff? What Washington law asks, and where outside training fits
The short answer
We found no requirement for school staff to complete autism training in the Washington education statutes and special education rules we read. Washington law requires districts to provide a four-day fundamental course of study to paraeducators who have not completed it, but only in school years with specific state funding and only for the number of days funded. Under WAC 392-172A-02110, adults who use isolation, restraint or a restraint device must be trained and currently certified, with an exception for an unforeseeable emergency when trained personnel are not immediately available. WAC 392-172A-02105 separately requires training and current certification for use under a student's IEP emergency response protocols and states no such exception.
What we found
On October 29, 2026, we read the paraeducator, special education, certification, professional development, student and school district chapters of Title 28A of the Revised Code of Washington, and the special education rules on isolation and restraint in the Washington Administrative Code, on the Washington Legislature's site. We searched them for autism, positive behavior, challenging behavior, behavior intervention, de-escalation and training. The only autism section we found, RCW 28A.155.190, asks the state superintendent's office, to the extent funds are provided, to distribute child find information and develop public posters with information on autism; it puts no training duty on school staff. We did not read the state's rules on educator certificate renewal or the paraeducator board's own rules.
Related training rules for Washington school staff
The paraeducator fundamental course of study (RCW 28A.413.060).
"(1) School districts must implement this section only in school years for which state funding is appropriated specifically for the purposes of this section and only for the number of days that are funded by the appropriation."
"(2)(a) School districts must provide a four-day fundamental course of study on the state standards of practice, as defined by the board, to paraeducators who have not completed the course, either in the district or in another district within the state."
Districts must use best efforts to provide the course before the paraeducator begins to work with students and their families. The section sets deadlines by hire date and district class; for example, for paraeducators hired before the school year begins, "the first two days of the fundamental course of study must be provided in person before the beginning of the school year and the second two days of the fundamental course of study must be provided within six months of the date of hire." Districts "may collaborate with other school districts or educational service districts to meet the requirements of this section."
The "board" is the paraeducator board, which the Professional Educator Standards Board administers. The board adopts the state standards of practice for paraeducators, which by law must include "Supporting a positive and safe learning environment" among other standards.
The paraeducator special education certificate (RCW 28A.413.080). This certificate is optional. The law says "A subject matter certificate is not a prerequisite for a paraeducator working in any program" and "Paraeducators may become eligible for a subject matter certificate by completing twenty hours of professional development in the subject area of the certificate." Subject matter certificates expire after five years.
Isolation and restraint in special education (WAC 392-172A-02110).
"Any staff member or other adults using a restraint must be trained and currently certified by a qualified provider in the use of trauma-informed crisis intervention (including de-escalation techniques) and such restraints, or otherwise available in the case of an emergency when trained personnel are not immediately available due to the unforeseeable nature of the emergency."
For isolation, the rule requires the same crisis intervention training and current certification, and also that the adult be "trained by the district in isolation requirements." For a restraint device, it requires training and current certification in using such devices. Each provision has the same exception for an unforeseeable emergency when trained personnel are not immediately available. Separately, WAC 392-172A-02105 requires adults who use these practices under emergency response protocols in a student's IEP to be trained and currently certified in trauma-informed crisis intervention and the safe use of the practice. Our course does not teach restraint, isolation, crisis intervention or de-escalation.
Source: RCW 28A.413.060; RCW 28A.413.050; RCW 28A.413.080; WAC 392-172A-02110; WAC 392-172A-02105; RCW 28A.155.190.
Where outside training fits
The fundamental course of study covers standards of practice adopted by the paraeducator board. Districts provide it and may collaborate with other districts or educational service districts. The restraint and isolation rule asks for certification "by a qualified provider" in crisis intervention, which our course does not teach. We do not claim that our course satisfies any Washington requirement, or counts toward the fundamental course of study, the twenty hours for a special education subject matter certificate, or certificate renewal clock hours. Ask your district or educational service district which training it requires for your role 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 Washington 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.