The New York State Commissioner's Regulations were amended in 2008 to require that all persons applying for a teaching certificate as a special education teacher complete course work or training in the area of students with autism. This requirement applies to those applicants who apply for certain certificate titles (see below) on or after September 2, 2009. NYS registered teacher preparation programs were required to add this training to their special education programs beginning July 11, 2008. Therefore, only those applicants for special education teacher titles applying after September 2, 2009 must complete at least three clock hours of course work or training on the needs of students with autism if they completed their master's degree program prior to July 11, 2008.

The course work or training to satisfy this requirement must be obtained from an institution or provider which has been approved by the Department to provide such course work or training in the needs of children with autism. A list of approved providers can be found on the NYS Education Department's Web site: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/documents/cityautism.doc

The applicable titles are:

• Students with Disabilities (all grade levels)
• Speech and Language Disabilities
• Deaf and Hard of hearing
• Blind or Visually Impaired