Teaching certifications and licenses are generally regarded as interchangeable terms. Special education graduates must earn their teacher's license in order to become a certified teacher. The most important step is to check with your individual state in order to see how they designate these terms in regards to working as a special education teacher. Each state has different methods for determining an individual's qualifications for licensure. Special education graduates must earn their teacher's license in order to become a certified teacher. Another important clarification is that education degree graduates can earn an online special education certification, which provides them with specialized training in special ed. This comes in addition to their education degree, which may not have contained a sped concentration.