Missouri Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Missouri: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Missouri guide.
Assessment in Special Education Essentials for Missouri Teachers
Assessment in special education is one of the most critical, and most regulated responsibilities a Missouri educator carries, and with 13.8% of the state’s students holding IEPs (slightly above the national average), the demand for well-trained disability educators across Missouri’s 523 districts has never been stronger.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Missouri
Missouri certifies disability educators through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree, complete a DESE-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP), and pass the required Praxis exams — including the Special Education: Foundational Knowledge exam. Missouri offers more than a dozen special education certification areas spanning cross-categorical, early childhood, and disability-specific tracks.
The state uses a two-stage certificate structure: the Initial Professional Certificate (IPC), valid for four years, leads to the Career Continuous Professional Certificate (CCPC), which is valid for 99 years once earned. All applications are managed through the DESE Certification Account Portal.
Explore how Missouri compares to other states: Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide
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Continuing Education & License Renewal in Missouri
IPC holders must complete 30 PD contact hours over four years, participate in a two-year district mentoring program, and maintain a professional development plan to upgrade to the CCPC. Once a teacher holds the CCPC, renewal requires 15 PD contact hours annually, equivalent to one graduate credit hour per year, submitted through the DESE Certification Account Portal. Teachers with ten or more years of experience may qualify for PD-exempt status.
Missouri processes PD credit at the district level. NASET courses are eligible for submission to your district using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014 as evidence of quality.
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 Missouri
Salary Overview
- Missouri disability educators earn an average of approximately $50,820–$50,952 annually, with entry-level positions starting around $38,871–$40,000 depending on district.
- Top earners with advanced credentials and experience can reach $63,000 or more annually.
Job Market
- Special education is a designated shortage area in Missouri, with a projected growth rate of 6% through 2030, creating consistent career advancement opportunities statewide.
- Earning potential increases meaningfully with graduate-level credits, which also count toward CCPC renewal requirements.
Assessment in Special Education in Missouri
Assessment in special education drives every eligibility and placement decision in Missouri’s system. Under IDEA and Missouri’s State Plan, districts must identify and evaluate all children with suspected disabilities through Child Find activities. Once a referral is made, parental consent must be obtained and the evaluation completed within 60 days, with the IEP team meeting within 30 calendar days of an eligibility determination.
Missouri’s evaluation process gathers data across multiple domains: health, motor skills, vision and hearing, speech and language, cognitive functioning, academic performance, and social-emotional behavior. The assessment team, which must include the parents, a disability educator, a general education teacher, and a qualified evaluator, reviews all data before determining eligibility under one of Missouri’s recognized disability categories.
For students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, Missouri administers the MAP-A (Missouri Assessment Program — Alternate), an alternate assessment determined by the IEP team using DESE eligibility criteria. All IEPs must also address how students will participate in state and district-wide assessments, with accommodations documented on DESE Form F.
NASET’s Assessment in Special Education Series and student observation checklist resources are built to support Missouri educators through every stage of this process.
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Key Resources for Missouri Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- Missouri DESE — Special Education
- Missouri DESE Special Education Forms
- DESE Certification Account Portal
- NASET Assessment in Special Education Series
- NASET Structured Observation Checklist (PDF)
- NASET Forms, Checklists & Procedures for Special Educators
- NASET What Every Teacher Should Know About Annual & Triennial Reviews
- Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide
Advance Your Career With NASET
NASET offers the most comprehensive professional development library built specifically for disability educators — including dedicated content on assessment, IEP development, and eligibility determination.
The Membership gives you instant access to nearly 80 professional development courses, assessment tools, and evaluation resources — all submittable to your Missouri district for renewal credit using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014.
The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) is the nationally recognized credential for career advancement in this field. Members receive 15% off all certifications.
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