Thank you for your interest in the Interim Route to Certification program, formerly the Special Education Options Program!

The Interim Route to Certification (IRC) program allows a person to work in a special education assignment while they work on the requirements for the Special Education license necessary for the position. The IRC program itself does not include the coursework; you will complete the classes at a college or university of your choice.

Here is how the program works:

• You must already hold a valid teaching license to be eligible for the program.
• Once you are hired into a position, the HR Licensing technician will send you an IRC form to complete. This is the form you will use to apply for the IRC license.
• The cost to add an endorsement is $70 and you must apply to add the endorsement before your hiring/transfer paperwork will be processed for the Special Education position.
• The district will periodically check in with you to see where you are with your IRC requirements.
• Once you complete the IRC program and add the endorsement you will notify the district, and your employee file will be updated.
• If you fail to complete the IRC program, you will not be able to remain in the SPED position beyond the school year in which your IRC license expires.
• If you leave the position that requires the IRC license, your IRC license will be invalidated. This is a requirement of the state, not a Washoe County School District rule. You can continue to work on the requirements for the Special Education endorsement, but the IRC license must be invalidated once you vacate the position. 
• Once your IRC license has been invalidated, the state will require you to reapply for it if you return to a Special Education position that requires the same license, however you will only be able to do this within one year of the license being invalidated. 
• If you wish to return to a special education classroom under the same special license you previously held, you will need a new IRC agreement and need to reapply for the IRC endorsement though your OPAL portal and pay the $70 fee. Again, you can only do this once, and it must be within 1 year from when the IRC license was invalidated. 
• After the 1-year deadline has passed, you will not be eligible for the IRC program. 
• IRC licenses are only valid for 3 years. If your IRC license is invalidated, then reinstated, the expiration date will not be extended. Additionally, if your IRC license expires and you have not met the requirements to convert it to a full license, you will no longer be eligible for the IRC program or able to accept teaching assignments requiring the IRC license.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact:

Debbie Walter

Human Resources Licensing Analyst

775-348-0221