To qualify for the Autism endorsement, a person must:

1. Have completed a program of preparation for teaching pupils who have autism, which has been approved by the Board; or

2. Hold a license or certificate, issued by another state, with an endorsement to teach pupils who have autism; or

3. Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the education of pupils who have Autism and have completed 8 semester credits of student teaching, equivalent field experience or 1 year of verifiable teaching experience in Autism; or

4. Hold one of the following special education endorsements issued by Nevada: Generalist Resource Room, Serious Emotional Disturbances, Specific Learning Disabilities, Severe Mental Retardation, Early Childhood Special Education, or Speech and Language Handicapped; and

    

   1. Have one year of verifiable teaching experience with pupils who have autism; and

   2. Have completed course work in the following areas:

1. Behavior management;

2. Speech and Language development;

3. Assistive technology, or alternative or augmentative communication;

4. Characteristics of pupils who have autism; and

5. Curriculum development or methods and strategies for teaching pupils who have autism.

The Option Program

The Option Program is a way an employer can fill high-need areas. The Option Program is an agreement between you and your employer and is not coordinated through the Office of Teacher Licensure. Your employer will provide written documentation to you if you are placed on the Option Program. While on the program, you will be required to complete the appropriate course work and meet the requirements for the full endorsement in the time prescribed by your employer but no longer than 3 years from the date that you are placed on the program. The endorsement is not reflected on your license while you are on the program. At the end of the Option Program, you must submit the additional endorsement application and fee to our office in order to add the endorsement to your license.

The minimum requirements for the Autism Option Program are:

Hold one of the following special education endorsements issued by Nevada: Generalist Resource, Serious Emotional Disturbances, Specific Learning Disabilities, Severe Mental Retardation, Early Childhood Special Education, or Speech and Language Handicapped.

The Option Program for Autism will no longer be available beginning July 1, 2008.