Therapies (students with a disability) with Arizona ESA and scholarship funds

What is covered, conditions and how to pay

Status

Covered with conditions. Students with a disability only; therapist must be licensed or accredited.

Conditions

Only students identified with a disability (MET, IEP or 504 plan from an Arizona public school, or an educational evaluation from a qualified examiner outside the school, known as an IEE) on file before paying. The provider must hold a valid license or accreditation, and the approved credential table is on pp. 30–32. Account Holders can ask, through an ESA Support Ticket, for approval of a credential not in the table. ADE issues the ClassWallet debit card only to account holders who have a student with a disability and who opt in through the ESA parent portal (ADE ESA Support, 'ClassWallet Pre-Paid Debit Card', checked 2026-10-15).

Limits

ESA can pay any amount not covered by private medical insurance. Fees for late, cancelled or missed appointments are not allowable.

Payment routes

Pay Vendor, ClassWallet debit card (students with a disability), Reimbursement

Documentation

Copy of the practitioner's valid license or accreditation (legible, not expired, issued by an accredited board; no screenshots). The invoice must include the therapist's license number. With insurance, a statement or invoice showing the amount not covered.

Not allowed

Acupressure, acupuncture, blood work, chiropractors, craniosacral therapy, dental exams or services, eye exams, health exams, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, massage therapy, medical equipment/devices/services, nutritionists, physical exams, Reiki; therapies for students not identified with a disability.

Example

Speech Therapy

Source

ESA Parent Handbook, School Year 2025–2026, Ch. 3, 'Educational therapies and services' and 'Examples of approved therapies', pp. 30–32; 'Medical insurance' p. 32; 'Non-approved therapies and services' pp. 41–42; 'Invoice requirements' p. 43 (version July 1, 2025). Checked 2026-10-15.

Providers in this category