IBCCES offers a number of certification programs for educators and licensed professionals to inform them of the most recent research and best practices in the fast-changing field of special needs and education.
This page shows the differences between the different certification programs so each person can find the program that is right for their goals and position.
Click a certification above to skip to that certification below.
Educators and licensed professionals worldwide are seeing the benefits that come from becoming certified for Autism and special needs. Enhanced credibility, greater parent/patient confidence, increased funding opportunities, and reduced risk of litigation are just a few of the benefits of training and certification from IBCCES.
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) is recognized as the leader in continuing education in special needs across the world.
We have outlined the core competencies for each certification program as well as the requirements for applying to help make it easier to find the program that is right for you.
Certified Autism Specialist
Autism Certificate
Our Certified Autism Specialist™ and Autism Certificates are for professionals who are responsible for providing services or support to individuals who have cognitive disorders (including autism) as a part of their scope of work. These certificates focus on the latest research and best practices in the following areas related to autism and other cognitive disorders: an overview of autism, behavior of people on the autism spectrum, IEP and program development, early childhood education, approaches and strategies for parent communication, and comorbidity with relation to autism and other cognitive disorders.
| Certified Autism Specialist | Autism Certificate | ||
| Degree | Masters | Bachelors | None |
| Years of Experience | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Topical CEU Hours* (included in program) |
14 | 14 | 14 |
| Registry Fee | $495 | $495 | $295 |
| Renewal Fee | $199 | $199 | $149 |
| Topical CEU for Renewal* (included if needed) |
14 | 14 | 14 |
*CEUs must match the competencies for that certificate program.
Contact IBCCES to for accepted CEUs.
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Education Professionals:
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Licensed Professionals:
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Education Professionals:
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Licensed Professionals:
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Paula Perkins, OTR, SCSS, MA, CAS
This certification allows me to demonstrate my professional competence and skills, specifically in the field of autism. This is increasingly important at a time when standards of accountability mandate service providers be highly qualified. I am a better OT when I am more diversely equipped to meet the spectrum of needs of this growing population.
Rajashree Srirangarajan, SLP, CAS
IBCCES’ training and certification gave me the confidence to share my expertise in the area of autism. Planning behavior modification strategies along with communication strategies.
Katy Menne, Curator of Education, AC
I use my training and certification every time I write a lesson plan, post on social media, send emails, and use the restroom. It is on the forefront of my mind when interacting with people at my job and in my personal life.
Advanced Certified
Autism Specialist
Advanced Autism
Certificate
Our Advanced Certified Autism Specialist and Advanced Autism Certificates are for practitioners looking to increase their knowledge and expertise in the field of ABA therapy. The content of the courses was developed under the guidance of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and other professionals with clinical ABA experience, so you can be guaranteed that you are learning from highly trained experts with extensive practical knowledge and experience.
The training and certification is designed to help master educators and licensed professionals successfully implement ABA programming in the home, center, school or community environments. During the course, you will be able to implement what you learn immediately to see how the training is making you a stronger ABA practitioner.
| Advanced Certified Autism Specialist | Advanced Autism Certificate | ||
| Degree | Masters | Bachelors | None |
| Years of Experience | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Topical CEU Hours* (included in program) |
21 | 21 | 21 |
| Registry Fee | $669 | $669 | $469 |
| Renewal Fee | $299 | $299 | $249 |
| Topical CEU for Renewal* (included if needed) |
21 | 21 | 21 |
| Prerequisite | CAS | CAS | AC |
| Package (includes prerequisite certification) |
$875 | $875 | $555 |
*CEUs must match the competencies for that certificate program.
Contact IBCCES to for accepted CEUs.
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Education Professionals:
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Licensed Professionals:
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Education Professionals:
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Licensed Professionals:
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Student Mental
Health Specialist
Student Mental
Health Certificate
The Student Mental Health Specialist and Student Mental Health Certificates were created by international leaders in their field: Tier 1 University researchers, master educators, and clinical professionals.
These certifications were created to satisfy the needs of nearly 10,000 school administrators and special education directors who named an increase in mental health training and certification as one of their top priorities. The programs were built based off of specific needs expressed by the school administrators and special education directors.
| Student Mental Health Specialist | Student Mental Health Certificate | ||
| Degree Required | Masters | Bachelors | None |
| Years of Experience Required | 2 | 10 | 2 |
| Additional CEU Hours Required (included in program) |
14 | 14 | 14 |
| Registry Fee | $495 | $495 | $295 |
| Renewal Fee | $199 | $199 | $149 |
| CEU for Renewal (included if needed) |
14 | 14 | 14 |
*CEUs must match the competencies for that certificate program.
Contact IBCCES to for accepted CEUs.
Common roles for SMHS include:
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Common roles for SMHC include:
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Board Certified
Cognitive Specialist
Certified Cognitive
Coach
The Board Certified Cognitive Specialist and Certified Cognitive Coach were designed based on feedback from your peers and leaders in education to address the most-needed training topics relating to cognitive disorders for special education and general education teachers, as well as paraprofessionals. The BCCS and CCC certifications were created by a team of experts, including international leaders in the educational field, Tier 1 University researchers, master educators, and clinical professionals.
Training content covers: Autism and Early Childhood Identification, Defining Dyslexia, Dyslexia and Auditory Processing, Behavioral Reinforcement Strategies, Autism and Inclusive Education, ADHD Diagnosis and Accomodations, Universal Design for Learning, Anxiety and Related Cognitive Effects, and the Transition to Adulthood for Individuals on the Spectrum.
| Board Certified Cognitive Specialist | Certified Cognitive Coach | ||
| Degree Required | Masters | Bachelors | None |
| Years of Experience Required | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Additional CEU Hours Required (included in program) |
14 | 14 | 14 |
| Registry Fee | $595 | $595 | $395 |
| Renewal Fee | $295 | $295 | $195 |
| CEU for Renewal (included if needed) |
14 | 14 | 14 |
*CEUs must match the competencies for that certificate program.
Contact IBCCES to for accepted CEUs.
Common roles for BCCS and CCC include:
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Sherine Brown, Behavior Specialist, BCCS
In my field of work, I plan to use the IBCCES certification training to have a greater impact on the population that I serve. I will also share the information that I have garnered with my co-workers.
Francesco Paladino, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, CCC
My training with IBCCES was the most layered and priceless education I received. My awareness of commmunication and client obstacles has been heightened. As a coach and a motivational speaker, I am better because of my training.
Tammy, Special Education Teacher
From my IBCCES certification + training, I am able to learn new strategies to implement in my practice and lessons. The training re-energized my passion for working with individuals with disabilities and gave me new tools to use for challenging behaviors and situations that I have encountered. It is incredibly frustrating to not have a solution or an idea on how to help a student, and the training has often given me such a solution.
