Lies about Board Certification in Special Education Advocacy

Don’t Fall for the Lies: There’s No Such Thing as State or Federal Board Certification in Education Advocacy

What Board Cerification Means and Why Is It Important

The debate over board certification in education advocacy is not new—and frankly, it’s outdated and unnecessary. The concept of board certification has long been established across many professions as a way to ensure accountability, ethical standards, and competency. Education advocacy is no different. The fact that this issue is still being questioned is not only redundant but also counterproductive. Board certification exists to protect both professionals and the families they serve, and it serves as a marker of credibility in a profession where anyone can otherwise claim expertise. Continuing to debate its necessity only distracts from the real goal: providing families with qualified, ethical, and highly cross trained professional advocates.

Let’s get one thing straight: there are no state or federal board certifications in education advocacy—OR IN ANY PROFESSION. Period. If you’ve heard otherwise, you’re being misled by groups that clearly don’t understand the difference between licensure and board certification, and frankly, it’s embarrassing that they don’t know better.

Here’s the reality: professional board certifications come exclusively from professional associations, not from state or federal entities. This is true in every single profession—whether it’s medicine, law, or education advocacy. What those groups are actually talking about is licensure, which is entirely different. Licensure is a legal requirement regulated by the state for certain professions (e.g., doctors, lawyers, teachers). But board certification is not licensure, and it never has been.

If someone tells you there’s no board certification in Special Education Advocacy, what they’re really saying—without realizing how foolish they sound—is that there’s no licensure for it. Of course, there’s no licensure in education advocacy! That’s because advocacy isn’t regulated by state or federal governments the same way other professions are. Instead, board certification is the gold standard, and it comes from professional associations like NSEAI (National Special Education Advocacy Institute). NSEAI has been the only Professional Association in Special Education Advocacy since 2008. NSEAI meets professional standards for Professional associations. NSEAI's program provides advocates with:

• 218 hours of instruction
  • 80 hours of direct instruction,
  • 118 hours of indirect instruction,
• 13 hours of testing,
• 20 hours of satisfactorily demonstrated field project experience,
• 100 praxis hours/20 cases,
• 30 non NSEAI CEUs in special education advocacy. 

Check out our syllabus at NSEAI.org  - CLICK HERE

Let any other program top that. 

Learn more about the NSEAI Board Certified Education Advoacy program by

CLICKING HERE

Professional associations play a critical role in establishing and enforcing standards of conduct, ethics, and professional practice to guide their members and maintain the integrity of the profession. These standards typically include codes of ethics, principles of professional conduct, practice guidelines, and competency requirements that define expected behavior, responsibilities, and the need for ongoing professional development. Importantly, only a professional association can enforce such standards. In the field of Special Education Advocacy, no other organization enforces these standards.

NSEAI (National Special Education Advocacy Institute) was the first to introduce a professional code of conduct in a field where anyone could previously call themselves an advocate and operate without accountability.

A training program that provides you a certificate cannot do what a professional association can. 

Licensure vs. Board Certification: How Are They So Confused?

Let’s break this down:

1. Licensure:
• Issued by state regulatory boards, like Boards of Education or Medical Boards.
• Required by law to practice certain professions (e.g., teaching, practicing medicine, or law).
• Focuses on meeting the minimum legal standards necessary to work in that field.
2. Board Certification:
• Issued by professional associations, not state or federal governments.
• Voluntary, and demonstrates advanced expertise, training, and a higher standard of professionalism.
• You’ll find board certifications in all kinds of fields—from medicine to law to education advocacy.

Why Does This Matter?

Groups claiming there’s no board certification in education advocacy are either ignorant of how professional certifications work or are deliberately trying to mislead parents. Either way, their claims are dangerous because they undermine the hard work of organizations like NSEAI, which has established the only legitimate board certification for special education advocates.

If you wouldn’t trust a doctor or lawyer who doesn’t understand the difference between licensure and board certification, why would you trust an advocate group making the same mistake? It’s a basic professional distinction which professionals understand—one that anyone working in advocacy should know by now.

The Truth About Professional Certification

Professional board certifications, like those offered by NSEAI, are a voluntary recognition of expertise. They do NOT include voluntary enforcement of a standard of practice. Which other educational programs do. They show that an advocate has gone beyond the basics to achieve a deeper understanding of the field, adhere to higher standards of practice, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing education. They’re not about meeting a bare minimum (like licensure); they’re about achieving excellence.

So, when you see groups making claims about “no board certification in education advocacy,” ask yourself:

• Do they lack the professional knowledge to understand how board certifications work across professions?
• Are they trying to confuse parents into thinking licensure and certification are the same thing so to promote their training program?
• Why are they ignoring the role of professional associations like NSEAI, which set the standard within the profession of Special Education Advocacy?

Don't be fooled by misinformation and ignorance

Remember - don’t be fooled by false advertising or ignorance. The fact is, there’s no state or federal board certification in education advocacy because board certifications don’t come from state or federal entities—they come from professional associations. This is true in every profession, and education advocacy is no different.

If you want to work with a legitimate, highly qualified advocate, look for someone who is board-certified by NSEAI, the leading professional association for special education advocacy. Don’t settle for anything less—and don’t let these groups confuse you with their lack of understanding.

 Red Flags to Watch For:

1. Claims of "State" or "Federal" Certification:
• If a group claims there is a state or federal board certification in education advocacy, this should immediately raise a red flag. There is no such thing. Certification in this field comes only from professional associations, like NSEAI, not government entities.
2. Confusing Licensure with Certification:
• Groups that state "there's no board certification in education advocacy" are actually confusing certification with licensure. They fail to acknowledge that board certification is created and managed by professional associations, not by state or federal regulators.
3. Discrediting Professional Associations:
• Some groups may try to diminish the value of professional certifications by claiming they don’t exist or are unnecessary, all while failing to offer any credible alternative or expertise. This demonstrates a lack of understanding about how professional standards are developed and maintained.
4. No Recognized Training or Accreditation:
• Groups that make these claims may not offer professional training or certification themselves—or they may offer unaccredited programs that fail to meet professional standards, thereby attempting to delegitimize recognized organizations like NSEAI.

What You Can Do:

If you suspect a group of making such false claims:

• Ask if they enforce continuing education and enforce standards of practice and specific details about what type of certification or training they offer.
• Do they have a national board to address complaints within one's practice, by consumers so to protect consumers. 
• Do they do psychometrics within their training progrms  to keep up with national standards of evaluation and training. 
• Research for yourself  to see that professional associations are not licensure bodies.
• Be skeptical of any claims that state or federal board certifications exist in fields where professional certifications are handled by associations.
  • lnurses, physicians, engineers, architects,  ... all receive their board certifications from professional associations. 
• It requires a professional association that has board certification to apply for legislation for licensure in each state. Just like board certified behavioral analysts and masssage therapists. The 2 things are different. 

If you provide us specific example or group, we can further analyze and provide tailored guidance!

False Advertizing

Federal Funding ≠ Federal Certification

Receiving federal funds or grants does not mean a program or organization is "federally certified." It’s vital to understand, and make others aware, that federal certification does not exist in the field of education advocacy—or in many other professions where certification is handled by professional associations.

When a program or organization claims to be "federally certified," it’s likely trying to conflate its funding source with some form of official recognition. This is a blatant lie per several State Attorney Generals and a deceptive marketing tactic meant to confuse parents and professionals into believing the organization holds a level of legitimacy that it simply does not.

What They're Really Saying

When groups make these claims, here’s what’s likely happening:

1. They Receive Federal Funding:
• Federal grants or funds may support their program, but this has nothing to do with certification or professional standards. Funding is often allocated for specific projects or training initiatives. They are NOT allocated as a recognition of expertise or legitimacy. This would mean that all teachers are federally certified which is NOT true, and all preschool aides who receive CPR training as federally certified aides. NOT!
2. They’re Using Misleading Language:
• By throwing around terms like “federally certified,” these groups are banking on the idea that most people won’t know the difference between funding and certification. It’s an intentional tactic to sound credible while lying outright.
3. They Lack Real Certification:
• If a program or group makes false claims about federal certification, it’s often because they lack any legitimate professional certification from recognized associations like NSEAI. Instead of meeting high professional standards, they resort to misleading claims to attract clients.

The Truth About Certification in Advocacy

• Certification Comes from Professional Associations:
  Board certification in education advocacy is granted by established professional associations, like NSEAI (National Special Education Advocacy Institute), established in 2008 as a professional association, which provides the only legitimate board certification for special education advocates, todate.
• Federal Agencies Don’t Certify Advocates:
  Federal agencies like the Department of Education, or any other government body, are focused on policy, funding, and regulations, not certifying professionals, per the Department of Education. Certification is the domain of professional organizations, not the federal government.
• Federal funding is about grants and program support, not about endorsing or certifying individuals or organizations as experts.

How to Spot These False Claims

If you encounter a group claiming to be "federally certified," look for these red flags:

1. Vague or Misleading Language:
• Do they use terms like “federally certified” without explaining what it means?
• Are they conflating certification with funding or participation in federally funded programs?
2. Lack of Professional Credentials:
• Check if they are recognized or certified by a professional association like NSEAI. If they’re not, they may be trying to cover up their lack of qualifications with false claims.
3. No Evidence of Accreditation:
• Legitimate programs will clearly state their credentials and affiliations. If they can’t provide proof, their claims are likely false.

Call Out the Lie

When groups falsely advertise “federal certification,” it shows a fundamental misunderstanding—or deliberate misrepresentation—of how certification works in any professional field. Here’s what to emphasize:

• Federal Certification Does Not Exist:
  No federal program certifies education advocates. Period. This is a fact, and any group claiming otherwise is outright lying.
• Funding ≠ Certification:
  Just because a program receives federal money does not mean it is certified, endorsed, or recognized as legitimate by the federal government. Federal funds are distributed to support educational initiatives, not to validate expertise.
• Professional Certification Comes from Experts:
  Legitimate board certifications, like those offered by NSEAI, come from professional associations with strict standards and requirements—not from government agencies.

 Groups making these claims are intentionally misleading parents, advocates, and other professionals. By falsely advertising "federal certification," they expose their lack of credibility and lack of professional understanding of how professions develop and work.

If you encounter these claims, call them out for what they are: dishonest, deceptive, and unprofessional. Encourage people to look for certification from respected professional organizations like NSEAI, which uphold the highest standards in education advocacy.

Don’t let these groups manipulate or confuse families who are already navigating complex educational challenges.

Without professional cross training an advocate is often working out of inexperience and ignorance.

They do not know what they do not know - this is ___ dangerous!

BUYER BEWARE

By the way, it’s worth noting that none of the national complaints about education advocates processed through our National Board have involved our graduates—and that speaks volumes. Despite this, parents continue to raise concerns about the unethical practices they’ve encountered with other advocates from other national programs. This highlights a critical point: professional associations are designed to protect both the consumer and the professional. Training programs alone cannot provide this level of accountability or enforcement.

All right, I’ll step off my soapbox now—but this needed to be said!"

Check out our National Board Certification Program.

CLICK HERE 

This program has been taken by teachers, special education directors, parent lawyers, school lawyer, clinicians/related service providers, professional advocates, school psychologists and parents. We have offered in the past continuing education credits for teachers and lawyers (including 6 ethic credits). Clinicians and parlegals have gotten their continuing education units approved on a case by case basis by their professional associations. 

NSEAI's national board certification program has been paid for by: several State Departments of Education - Parent information Network programs, The Pentagon, community, state and federal agencies, Office of Special Needs (OSN), schools, national disability organizations and even churches.