California Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in California: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete California guide.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in California
IEP certification and credential expertise are in critical demand across California, home to 883,862 students with IEPs in 2025-26, the largest active special education population of any state. Yet only 60.9% of California students with IEPs spend 80% or more of their school day in regular classrooms, below the national average of 67%, underscoring the urgent need for better-credentialed educators statewide.
In California, special education teachers hold the title of Education Specialist. To earn your California Education Specialist Instruction Credential, meet requirements set by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC):
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Complete a CTC-approved Education Specialist credential preparation program
- Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
- Pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) for your specialty area
- Complete the EdSp California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA)
- Apply through CTC Online for your Preliminary Education Specialist Credential
California offers six Education Specialist specialty areas: Mild/Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, Early Childhood Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairments, and Physical and Health Impairments. After your Preliminary Credential, complete a CTC-approved Teacher Induction Program to advance to the Clear Credential. For California educators, pairing your state credential with NASET IEP certification is one of the most strategic career moves you can make. Starting July 2026, student teachers may also receive $10,000 stipends through Assembly Bill 121.
Become a NASET Member today to get instant access to almost 80 CTLE-eligible PD courses!
Continuing Education & License Renewal in California
California Education Specialist credential holders advance professionally by completing 150 hours of professional development every 5 years, applied toward salary advancement through their district or county office.
NASET is actively pursuing CTC approval for California. In the meantime, NASET courses may be accepted by your district or county office for local PD credit. Submit NASET course information using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014 as evidence of quality. For California educators, IEP certification through NASET is one of the most career-relevant PD investments available.
Contact careercenter@naset.org for a support letter for your California district, or download the free Admin Approval Guide.
Become a NASET Member today and save 15% on your BCASE certification, the gold standard credential for disability educators nationwide!
Special Education Teacher Salary in California
California Education Specialists earn competitive salaries, reflecting the state’s high cost of living and strong union protections.
- Average statewide salary: ~$60,298-$79,665/year (ZipRecruiter/Glassdoor, 2026)
- Typical range: $49,300-$97,665
- Top earners (90th percentile): up to $117,114
- Berkeley: 24.1% above the state average
- San Francisco Unified: among the top-paying urban districts nationally
- LAUSD: competitive starting salary with strong step increases
Earning potential grows with IEP certification and board credentials. Educators with recognized certifications are strongly positioned for leadership roles across California’s 58-county SELPA network.
Explore the State-by-State Guide to compare California with other states.
IEPs in California
California follows all federal IDEA requirements through the CDE Special Education Division:
- All eligible students must have an IEP developed collaboratively and reviewed annually
- California uses SELPAs to coordinate services across 58 counties and 1,000+ LEAs
- Transition planning begins at age 16, covering post-secondary education, employment, and independent living
- Students with disabilities are eligible for services through age 22
- Assembly Bill 438 updated California’s IEP postsecondary goals and transition requirements, effective 2024-25
Browse NASET’s IEPs from Around the Country, download the NASET Completed Sample IEP, use the measurable annual goals guide, and review NASET’s Seven Major Principles Under IDEA for the legal foundation behind California IEPs.
Become a NASET Member today and earn the certifications that move you up the salary schedule, trusted by special educators across the country!
Key Resources for California Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- CTC Education Specialist Credentials: ctc.ca.gov/credentials/creds/special-ed
- CDE Special Education Division: cde.ca.gov/sp/se/sr
- SELPA Information: cde.ca.gov/sp/se/as/selpas.asp
- NASET IEP Certification Resources: naset.com/iep-development
- NASET Special Education Teacher Resources: naset.com/resources
- NASET Assessment Series: naset.com/assessment
- NASET Forms and Checklists: naset.com/forms
Advance Your Career With NASET
NASET is the leading professional organization for disability educators in the U.S. For California Education Specialists, IEP certification through NASET delivers the exact skills districts need most: compliant IEP writing, rigorous assessment practice, and evidence-based disability education across all specialty areas.
All certifications, including the BCSE, BCASE, and BCIEP, can be submitted to your district using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014. As CTC approval progresses, NASET IEP certification will become even more directly applicable to California’s 150-hour requirement.
Whether you are earning your Preliminary Credential, completing induction, or advancing into a leadership role, NASET is your partner.
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