diff --git a/common/skills.cpp b/common/skills.cpp
index 2eefd49c8..24a32196e 100644
--- a/common/skills.cpp
+++ b/common/skills.cpp
@@ -38,3 +38,19 @@ bool EQEmu::IsTradeskill(SkillUseTypes skill)
 		return false;
 	}
 }
+
+bool EQEmu::IsSpecializedSkill(SkillUseTypes skill)
+{
+	// this could be a simple if, but if this is more portable if any IDs change (probably won't)
+	// or any other specialized are added (also unlikely)
+	switch (skill) {
+	case SkillSpecializeAbjure:
+	case SkillSpecializeAlteration:
+	case SkillSpecializeConjuration:
+	case SkillSpecializeDivination:
+	case SkillSpecializeEvocation:
+		return true;
+	default:
+		return false;
+	}
+}
diff --git a/common/skills.h b/common/skills.h
index 939223e56..b4064ab3f 100644
--- a/common/skills.h
+++ b/common/skills.h
@@ -263,6 +263,7 @@ typedef enum {
 // for skill related helper functions
 namespace EQEmu {
 	bool IsTradeskill(SkillUseTypes skill);
+	bool IsSpecializedSkill(SkillUseTypes skill);
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/tests/skills_util_test.h b/tests/skills_util_test.h
index 63b5cde5a..96507256e 100644
--- a/tests/skills_util_test.h
+++ b/tests/skills_util_test.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ class SkillsUtilsTest: public Test::Suite {
 public:
 	SkillsUtilsTest() {
 		TEST_ADD(SkillsUtilsTest::IsTradeskill);
+		TEST_ADD(SkillsUtilsTest::IsSpecializedSkill);
 	}
 
 	~SkillsUtilsTest() {
@@ -37,6 +38,11 @@ public:
 		TEST_ASSERT(EQEmu::IsTradeskill(SkillPottery));
 		TEST_ASSERT(!EQEmu::IsTradeskill(SkillParry));
 	}
+
+	void IsSpecializedSkill() {
+		TEST_ASSERT(EQEmu::IsSpecializedSkill(SkillSpecializeConjuration));
+		TEST_ASSERT(!EQEmu::IsSpecializedSkill(SkillConjuration))
+	}
 };
 
 #endif