Hawaii Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Hawaii: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Hawaii guide.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Hawaii
What is a child study team? As NASET’s own Referral to the Child Study Team guide explains, this school-based team goes by different names depending on the state — Child Study Team, School Building Level Committee, Pupil Personnel Team, or Prereferral Team. In Hawaii specifically, the equivalent process runs through Child Find and the state’s HMTSS (Hawaii Multi-Tiered System of Support) framework, a data-driven, team-based model used statewide.
Hawaii is unique in that it operates as a single statewide school district, the only one in the country. To become certified, candidates need a bachelor’s degree from a state-approved teacher education program (SATEP), passing scores on the required Praxis exams, and a background check. New teachers receive a three-year Provisional License, then advance to a five-year Standard License after three years of full-time experience, and eventually an optional 10-year Advanced License with an advanced degree, National Board Certification, or Hawaii Teacher Leader designation. The Re-specialization in Special Education (RISE) program also helps bachelor’s-only teachers reach special education certification without starting over.
Become a NASET Member today to get instant access to nearly 80 professional development courses — and contact your district to confirm credit eligibility for renewal!
Continuing Education & License Renewal in Hawaii
Hawaii’s Standard and Advanced Licenses renew on a rolling basis tied to continued employment and professional growth, overseen by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB).
Hawaii doesn’t operate a state-level approval list for outside providers, so NASET course completion certificates are best submitted directly to your complex area or HTSB for review as part of any endorsement or professional growth plan.
Become a NASET Member today and save 15% on your Board Certification in Special Education, which is the gold standard credential for special ed teachers nationwide!
Special Education Teacher Salary in Hawaii
The earning potential for Hawaii special education teachers varies by experience, location, and credentials:
- Average salary: $50,000–$58,000 per year
- Entry-level (0–3 years): around $45,000
- Experienced (8+ years): up to $68,000
- Key factors: cost of living, complex area, advanced credentials
Honolulu-area positions tend to report above-average pay to offset the state’s high cost of living, and pursuing board certification remains one of the more reliable ways to strengthen your case for career advancement.
IEPs in Hawaii
11% of Hawaii students hold an IEP, below the national average of 13%, and the U.S. Department of Education rates the state’s special education services as “Meets Requirements,” the highest possible rating. The Hawaii DOE’s Child Find process determines whether a student needs formal evaluation, and the HMTSS framework structures how schools screen, monitor, and support students before and during that process. Reviewing strong IEP models alongside determining measurable annual goals in an IEP can help teachers write IEPs that hold up to review, whatever a district calls its pre-referral team.
Become a NASET Member today and earn the certifications that move you up the salary schedule, trusted by special educators across the country!Â
Key Resources for Hawaii Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- HIDOE — Special Education — Child Find, parent rights, and dispute resolution resources
- LDAH (Leadership in Disabilities & Achievement of Hawai’i) — Hawaii’s Parent Training and Information Center, offering IEP advocacy, workshops, and support for families and educators
- Special Parent Information Network (SPIN) — parent-to-parent support and special education advocacy resources
- Referral to the Child Study Team — NASET’s guide to how pre-referral teams work across different states
- Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide
Because Hawaii operates as a single statewide district, understanding HMTSS and the Child Find process gives new teachers a consistent framework that applies the same way whether they’re teaching on Oahu, Maui, or the Big Island.
Advance Your Career With NASET
Wherever you are in your Hawaii special education career, NASET offers structured ways to keep growing. The Membership gives you year-round access to courses, downloadable classroom tools, and a community of practitioners navigating the same certification and classroom demands you are.
For those ready to formalize their expertise, The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) credential signals advanced mastery to administrators and districts alike, and it’s a meaningful differentiator when pursuing leadership roles or negotiating career advancement.
Both paths lead back to the same goal: helping Hawaii’s students with disabilities get the individualized support they’re entitled to, from educators equipped to provide it.
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