Special education teacher requirements by country

Reviewed by the London College of Teachers Academic Team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026 · Editorial policy

India

Special educators are regulated by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). To practise as a registered special educator you generally need an RCI-recognised qualification, such as a D.Ed or B.Ed in Special Education, and registration on the Central Rehabilitation Register. Private schools, therapy centres and families also hire shadow teachers and learning support staff, where online SEN training and experience are valued.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE promotes inclusive education for People of Determination, and Dubai's inclusive education framework expects schools to provide support. Learning support teachers usually need a degree and relevant SEN qualifications; learning support assistants and shadow teachers often need less. Check KHDA, ADEK or Ministry of Education requirements and each advert.

United Kingdom

Teachers need Qualified Teacher Status, and SENCos in England must hold the mandatory national SENCo qualification. Teaching assistants and SEN support roles are more flexible, and online SEN training helps applications and professional development.

United States

Special education teachers in public schools usually need a bachelor's degree and a state special education licence. Paraprofessionals and private roles have their own requirements. The IDEA law requires IEPs for eligible students.

Africa and Asia

• Kenya: teachers register with the Teachers Service Commission; specialist training is offered by bodies such as the Kenya Institute of Special Education.
• Nigeria: teachers register with the TRCN; private schools set their own SEN support requirements.
• South Africa: teachers register with SACE, and inclusive education policy follows Education White Paper 6.
• Philippines: public school teachers need a PRC licence, and inclusive education for learners with disabilities is set out in national law.

Where online SEN training helps most

• Mainstream teachers improving inclusion
• Shadow teachers and learning support assistants
• Parents and caregivers
• Private schools and therapy centres (support roles)
• Teachers preparing for further accredited study

Before you enrol: a checklist

• Which country and type of role do you want?
• Does the role require registration or a licence?
• What qualification does the employer's advert name?
• Do you need a degree for the role or the visa?
• Will you need police clearance and safeguarding training?
• Can online SEN training add to an existing qualification?

How to read a job advert

Words such as 'licensed', 'registered', 'RCI', 'QTS', 'state certification' or a named qualification signal a regulated role. Adverts asking for 'SEN training', 'experience with autism' or 'shadow teacher' are usually open to holders of an online SEN qualification with experience.

Other destinations

• Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain: learning support teachers usually need a degree and SEN qualifications; assistant roles are more flexible.
• Singapore and Malaysia: check local requirements for school and centre roles.
• Canada: teacher roles follow provincial certification; educational assistant requirements vary.
• Australia and New Zealand: teachers need registration; support roles have their own requirements.

Comparing routes: regulated and practical

• Regulated routes lead to registration or licensing: RCI in India, QTS and the SENCo qualification in England, state special education licences in the USA, TSC registration in Kenya, PRC licensing in the Philippines.
• Practical routes build skills for support roles: online SEN certificates and diplomas, short courses on autism or ADHD, and supervised experience in schools and centres.
• Most careers combine both: practical training and experience first, then a regulated qualification if the job requires it.

A worked example: planning a move into learning support abroad

Fatima is a graduate teacher in Kochi who wants a learning support role in the UAE. She completes the PG Diploma in SEN for IEP, autism and ADHD skills, volunteers in a resource room for six months, and keeps anonymised support plans as evidence. She attests her degree and certificates, applies to learning support assistant roles first, and moves up to a learning support teacher role after a year of UAE experience.

Documents you are likely to need

• Degree and mark sheets (attested or apostilled for many countries)
• SEN certificates and transcripts
• Police clearance and safeguarding training
• References that describe work with children with special needs
• Anonymised examples of support plans or IEP contributions

Questions to ask an employer

• Which qualification and registration does this role require?
• Will my overseas certificates need recognition?
• Who supervises me and how is my practice reviewed?
• Is training provided on the school's policies?