Pre-Service Student Membership

 

Student Teaching?

Learn more about our complimentary student teacher membership and support.

 

Teacher Candidate Support Network Membership

 

Welcome to the field of special education! We’re glad you’re here. 

Special education is one of the most rewarding careers and CEC’s Pre-Service Student Membership is designed to grow with you throughout your academic studies. Enjoy a comprehensive membership benefits package that supports your educational goals and gives you access to current and emerging topics in special education, tools and resources, online learning, and so much more. Join as a member now and see how CEC membership can support you from college to retirement. 

Eligibility

Pre-Service students are:

  • Currently enrolled in either a undergraduate or graduate program; and
  • Have not graduated and/or worked as a special education professional.

CEC membership is effective one year from joining.

 

Can't join online? Click here to download an application.

 
Download An Application

Member Benefits

Insurance Included

All Pre-Service Memberships come with a $1 Million Student Educator Professional Liability Insurance policy from our partner, Forrest T. Jones & Company.

Supportive Community

Connect, collaborate, and share knowledge with special educators  and fellow students on CEC’s virtual community. 

Professional Journals

Access to our two professional journals, TEACHING Exceptional Children and Exceptional Children with leading research and guidance on important special education topics. 

Local and Regional Networking

Enjoy access to local and regional meetups through your local CEC group with events, resources, journals, and more. 

Weekly Updates

Stay on top of issues in special education with our weekly newsletters, Special Education TODAY and Policy Insider, delivered straight to your inbox. 

Additional Memberships

Want to dive into a particular area of interest? Join a Special Interest Division to get deeper insights into topics that matter to you.

$1 Million Student Educator Professional Liability Insurance Policy*
Discounts on All Professional Development; including all content in our Online Learning Library and registration to the CEC Convention and Expo
FREE Access to CEC Quick Takes and Select Webinars
Access to the Newly Launched Teacher Empowerment Toolkit (Developed in Partnership with Let’s Go Learn)
Online Access to "TEACHING Exceptional Children” and “Exceptional Children” Journals
The Ability to Join Special Interest Divisions and Affinity Groups
Automatic Membership with Your Local State/Provincial Unit
Access to CECommunity Online Forums
Opportunities to Volunteer and Join Committees
Member Savings on Publications, Resources, and Store Purchases
Preferred Member Pricing on Insurance Programs
Eligibility for CEC Professional Award Nominations
Join for $40/year
includes all Basic benefits plus:
Print and Online Access to “TEACHING Exceptional Children” Journal
$1 Million Student Educator Professional Liability Insurance Policy*
+Benefits Included with Basic Membership
Discounts on All Professional Development; including all content in our Online Learning Library and registration to the CEC Convention and Expo
FREE Access to CEC Quick Takes and Select Webinars
Access to the Newly Launched Teacher Empowerment Toolkit (Developed in Partnership with Let’s Go Learn)
Online Access to "Exceptional Children" Journal
The Ability to Join Special Interest Divisions and Affinity Groups
Automatic Membership with Your Local State/Provincial Unit
Access to CECommunity Online Forums
Opportunities to Volunteer and Join Committees
Member Savings on Publications, Resources, and Store Purchases
Preferred Member Pricing on Insurance Programs
Eligibility for CEC Professional Award Nominations
Join for $80/year
includes all Basic and Full benefits plus:
$1 Million Student Educator Professional Liability Insurance Policy*
Print and Online Access to “TEACHING Exceptional Children” Journal
FREE Access to CEC Quick Takes, Select Webinars, and Our Entire Catalogue of Curated PD Collections
One (1) Complimentary e-Book from the CEC Store
+Benefits Included with Full & Basic Membership
Discounts on All Professional Development; including all content in our Online Learning Library and registration to the CEC Convention and Expo
Access to the Newly Launched Teacher Empowerment Toolkit (Developed in Partnership with Let’s Go Learn)
Print and Online Access to “TEACHING Exceptional Children” Journal
Online Access to "Exceptional Children" Journal
The Ability to Join Special Interest Divisions and Affinity Groups
Automatic Membership with Your Local State/Provincial Unit
Access to CECommunity Online Forums
Opportunities to Volunteer and Join Committees
Member Savings on Publications, Resources, and Store Purchases
Preferred Member Pricing on Insurance Programs
Eligibility for CEC Professional Award Nominations
Join for $135/year

*All levels of Pre-Service Student membership receive a $1 million Student Educator Professional Liability Insurance policy. Graduate Student memberships do not include the Student Educator Professional Liability Insurance policy. Graduate students may learn more and purchase a  policy at https://www.trustforeducators.com/association-landing-page?association=…

 

Questions or comments? 

CEC’s Member Services Team is here to assist you. Visit our Customer Service Center to learn how you can contact us for support.

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER

 
Last Updated:  29 April, 2026
EDIT ME
3100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 600 Arlington, VA, 22201-5332 United States
888-232-7733   (Voice) or call using Telecommunications Relay Provider.
[email protected]

© 2025 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). All rights reserved.