How to become a paraprofessional in Ohio.

To become a paraprofessional in Ohio you’ll need to understand and meet the state requirements. This will include a minimum education level and a background check. 

Keep in mind that individual districts may establish their own requirements beyond what the state mandates. Typically, the specific requirements for a paraeducator are listed in the job description.

Minimum requirements to become a paraprofessional in Ohio*:

• 18 years old (some districts set the age at 21)
• BCI and FBI background checks
• One of the following:
  • two years of coursework completed at an accredited institution of higher education (48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours)
  • an associate degree or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher education
  • a substitute teaching license or Educational Aide Permit - with a high school diploma or equivalent and passing score on the ParaPro Exam,
    

What will I do as a paraprofessional in Ohio?

In this role, you’ll provide essential support to students with special needs. At Kelly Education, we refer to this essential education role as a paraeducator. Like “paralegal” and “paramedic,” this term highlights the professional nature of the field of work. School districts often call this role a paraprofessional, parapro, or teacher’s aide.

Note that you should get started on steps as soon as possible because the time associated with completing some steps is out of your control. For example, at certain times of the year, processing background checks takes longer due to volume. It’s best to get that requirement completed as soon as possible.

Education and permit requirements.

The Ohio State Board of Education (OSBE) issues the Educational Aide Permit at the request of the employing school or district, and it can be issued to those who have a high school diploma or equivalent. The initial permit is valid for one year and only in the district for which it was issued. After that, it can be renewed for one or four years, and a renewed permit is valid throughout the entire state.

Prospective paraeducators should apply for this permit only after completing the employment process at the school or district where they would like to work. The employer and the employer’s IRN (Information Retrieval Number) should be included on the application. The organization’s e-signer must approve the application.

Some applicants wish to add the ESEA endorsement (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) to the Educational Aide Permit. This endorsement allows the holder to work in Title 1 schools. Keep in mind that some schools or districts require this endorsement. To get the ESEA endorsement, you must have at least one of the following:

For those with higher education credits, transcripts must be submitted. This is typically a transcript from the school that represents your highest education level. If a college transcript is required, there is often a fee for each request, generally around $10 to $15.

Background check and fingerprinting.

Both BCI and FBI background checks are required for all paraeducator applicants. You can use a past background check as long as it's no older than one year when the OSBE issues the credential.

This background check ensures that the students are safe with the educators and paraeducators who have been entrusted with their care. Be sure to get this started as soon as possible, as it will take some time to process, from a few days to a few weeks. Keep in mind, there will likely be a small fee for this as well.

Employer verification.

Like all jobs, you'll need to be prepared to verify your legal eligibility to work in the U.S. to start as a paraprofessional in Ohio. To complete this step, you’ll submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials. This form can be completed in just a few minutes.

What training will I need?

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), paraprofessionals must receive appropriate training to work with students who have special needs.

We also recommend that you pursue First Aid and CPR certification, regardless of whether the school district requires it. These emergency response skills are an asset in any classroom, and they make you more valuable as a job candidate and as a working paraeducator. Courses are typically inexpensive, and the school or district may even cover the cost.

Get online paraeducator training from Kelly Education.

Kelly Education takes pride in providing well-trained paraeducators to hundreds of schools across the country. Using our ground-breaking LEARN standards, our instructional designers and special education experts collaborated to develop foundational training that is essential for success.

The Paraeducator Path covers such important topics as:

Paraeducator 101 - Role and basic responsibilities across social, behavioral, physical, academic, safety, and ADL support. Understanding IEP implementation and legal foundations.

Foundations of Instruction - Techniques for differentiated instruction, explicit teaching, multi-sensory learning, modeling, and using adapted tools to support diverse learners.

Supporting Behavior - Student and personal safety, BIP implementation, and supporting students' emotional intelligence and self-regulatory skills.

Be the most prepared you can be on day one with your students. This training will set your expectations—and elevate your performance. It’s also recommended for paraeducators who didn’t receive training as part of their school district onboarding experience.

Learn more about our interactive, self-paced training.