I have been a licensed teacher in VA for 41 years PGP NK-7.  I am a Developmental & Experimental Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst.  I recently completed the graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders offered by George Washington University.  Completion of this program offered by the School of Education and Human Development Department of Special Education and Disability Studies results in a special education endorsement in DC, but Virginia does not have a comparable endorsement.  Therefore, I have not been able to add a special education endorsement to my certification in VA.  I am currently involved in the establishment of an inclusion program for children with ASD through early intervention in DC. My employer also serves VA and I would like to make this program available in VA as well.  As you revamp the teacher certification procedures, please make the process flexible enough to accept candidates who present with such excellent program training.  This training would increase expertise in your teaching staff and enhance your special education program offering to families of children with autism.  If completion of this program resulted in special education endorsement in VA, more teachers might be encouraged to seek further training in Autism Spectrum Disorders.