Most reading specialist programs consist of graduate-level courses designed for currently licensed teachers. Certification requirements can vary from 36 graduate hours (New Jersey) to 56 graduate hours (Colorado). Virginia requires candidates to be currently licensed with a master's degree. Some states offer a Reading Teacher certification and the requirements are considerably less than the specialist certification.
Another type of remedial reading teacher is a dyslexia specialist. Dyslexia specialists can work in a school setting or as a private tutor. Fairleigh Dickinson University offers a 30-hour certification program. The program at FDU teaches the Orton-Gillingham approach and includes an extensive practicum. Programs found at institutions such as the Neuhass Education Center and Scottish Rite Learning Center prepare students to become certified academic language therapists along with a certification as a dyslexia specialist. Both programs require 200 instructional hours and 700 teaching hours.
Reading Recovery is an intervention program that provides short-term intensive intervention for struggling first-grade students. Reading Recovery teachers work with students one at a time and see the students daily. Teachers spend one year of graduate study under the supervision of a teacher leader to earn the Reading Recovery certification. Reading Recovery teachers must attend continuing professional development to maintain certification.
A special education endorsement enables teachers to work with students who are on an Individualized Education Program, or IEP. A student on an IEP may need remediation in subjects other than reading. Each student will have academic goals on the IEP and the special education teacher helps the student achieve those goals. Most special education endorsements are part of a master's degree program.