Idaho Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Idaho: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Idaho guide.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Idaho
How to become an IEP advocate is one of the most important questions an Idaho educator can answer, and the need is urgent. Idaho has more than 130 unfilled positions in disability education in a typical school year, and over 860 teachers are assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis, making qualified, credentialed IEP advocates more valuable than ever across the state’s 115 school districts.
To earn your Idaho teaching certificate with a special education endorsement, meet requirements set by the Idaho State Department of Education (ISDE):
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution through an ISDE-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
- Complete a student teaching placement in the Exceptional Child Education K-12 endorsement area
- Pass the Praxis Subject Assessment for your endorsement area
- Complete a background check and apply through the ISDE Certification portal
Idaho’s endorsement for this field is titled Exceptional Child Education K-12, covering students with disabilities across all grade levels. Alternative routes are available for career changers, including emergency authorizations for district-sponsored candidates completing certification while teaching. Understanding how to become an IEP advocate starts here, before your first classroom placement.
👉 Become a NASET Member today to get instant access to nearly 80 professional development courses!
Continuing Education & License Renewal in Idaho
Idaho teachers renew their certificates every five years by completing 6 semester credits of professional development. Fifteen contact hours equal one semester credit, meaning 90 total contact hours cover the full renewal requirement. Up to 3 credits may come from district-approved in-service hours using the Idaho Approved In-service Form.
NASET has confirmed district-level acceptance in Idaho. Submit NASET course information to your district using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014. For every Idaho educator asking how to become an IEP advocate, NASET’s BCIEP certification covers eligibility, goal writing, and IEP compliance from start to finish.
Contact careercenter@naset.org for a support letter for your Idaho 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!
Become a NASET Member today and save 15% on your Board Certification in Special Education — the gold standard credential for special ed teachers nationwide! Special Education Teacher Salary in Idaho
Idaho educators in this field earn competitive compensation, with salaries rising statewide.
- State minimum salary: $50,252 in 2025-26, up 5%+ from the prior year
- Average statewide salary: ~$60,015/year (Salary.com, 2025)
- Coeur d’Alene School District: $67,467 average
- Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy: $80,061 average
- Top earners: up to $95,523
Earning potential grows with credentials, IEP advocacy skills, and experience. Idaho’s documented educator shortage means disability educators are strongly positioned for career advancement, with many districts offering signing bonuses and rural incentives.
Explore the State-by-State Guide to compare Idaho with other states.
IEPs in Idaho
Idaho follows all federal IDEA requirements through the ISDE Division of Special Education, with key state-specific provisions:
- All eligible students must have an IEP developed collaboratively and reviewed annually, with reevaluations at least every three years
- The Idaho Special Education Manual, last updated November 2024, has pending rule revisions submitted to the 2026 Legislature, taking effect July 1, 2026 if adopted
- Transition planning begins at age 16, addressing post-secondary education, employment, and independent living
- Students with disabilities are eligible for services through age 21
- Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL) is Idaho’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, providing free IEP advocacy support statewide
For educators asking how to become an IEP advocate, browse NASET’s IEPs from Around the Country, download the NASET Completed Sample IEP, use the measurable annual goals guide, and review the Seven Major Principles Under IDEA as Idaho’s Special Education Manual undergoes its 2026 revisions.
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 Idaho Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- ISDE Division of Special Education: sde.idaho.gov/special-education
- ISDE Educator Certification: sde.idaho.gov/certification
- Idaho Special Education Manual: sde.idaho.gov/special-education-manual
- Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL): ipulidaho.org
- NASET IEP Advocacy Resources: naset.com/iep-development
- 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. The question of how to become an IEP advocate has a clear answer for Idaho educators: NASET certification builds the IEP expertise districts need, and those credentials can be submitted for district-level renewal credit.
All certifications, including the BCSE, BCASE, and BCIEP, can be submitted using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014. Whether you are earning your initial certificate, learning how to become an IEP advocate, or advancing into leadership, NASET is your partner.
Explore all NASET certifications and take your career to the next level NASET Certifications
