On October 4, 2022, the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) sent a letter to state directors of special education. The letter declared that federal special education law requires K-12 special education teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree and be fully certified to teach special education. The letter further stated that special education teachers and Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) may not have their certification or license requirements waived on an emergency, temporary, or provisional basis. In addition, teachers participating in alternate routes to obtain special education certification must follow certain requirements to be in compliance with federal rules.

Currently, schools must address severe staff shortages in special education. In response, some states are passing legislation and enacting policies to remove some teacher requirements to fill staff vacancies in the area of special education, but the OSEP letter warns that, according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), states must make sure that special educators are adequately prepared and trained. 

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