AR certification
Arkansas teacher certification
Teaching credentials in Arkansas
Each row is a credential Arkansas reported to Title II. Initial means a first credential for a new teacher. Years is the length of validity.
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspiring Teacher Permit | No | 1 | No | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Career-Technical Permit | Yes | 5 | Yes | K-6, K-6, 7-12 |
| Lifetime Teaching License | No | 99 | No | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Provisional License | Yes | 3 | No | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Provisional Technical Permit | Yes | 1 | Yes | 7-12 |
| Standard Teaching License-Career Professional | No | 5 | Yes | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Standard Teaching License-Early Career Professional | Yes | 5 | Yes | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Standard Teaching License-Lead Professional | No | 5 | Yes | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Standard Teaching License-Master Professional | No | 5 | Yes | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
Requirements
Yes means the state reports the item as required for that credential. Tests shows only whether tests are required; Title II does not name the tests.
| Credential | Bachelor's | Master's | Education degree | Prep program | Tests | Performance assessment | Clinical | Coursework | Credit hours | Min. GPA | Transcripts | Employment | Mentoring | Recency | Background check | Fingerprint | Police check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspiring Teacher Permit | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Career-Technical Permit | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifetime Teaching License | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Provisional License | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Provisional Technical Permit | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Standard Teaching License-Career Professional | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Standard Teaching License-Early Career Professional | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Standard Teaching License-Lead Professional | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Standard Teaching License-Master Professional | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Verify a teaching license in Arkansas
Teaching licenses in Arkansas are verified on the lookup service run by Arkansas Department of Education. Search there by the teacher's name or certificate number to see current status.
PT3 does not verify licenses and holds no records of individual teachers.
Renewal
Renew times is how many times the credential can be renewed; renewal years is the length of each renewal.
| Credential | Renewable | Renew times | Renewal years | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspiring Teacher Permit | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Career-Technical Permit | Yes | 100 | 5 | A completed online application for renewal with payment of the non-refundable application fee; Documentation that the applicant has successfully completed all background checks required by the Division’s Rules Governing Background Checks within the twelve-month period before the date of the application for renewal; Documentation of the completion of professional development requirements |
| Lifetime Teaching License | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Provisional License | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Provisional Technical Permit | Yes | 1 | 1 | Completion of required training or coursework. |
| Standard Teaching License-Career Professional | Yes | 99 | 5 | 36 hours of professional development for each of the previous 5 years, background checks on file, $75 fee, new Child Maltreatment Central Registry Clearance. |
| Standard Teaching License-Early Career Professional | Yes | 99 | 5 | 36 hours of professional development for each of the previous 5 years, background checks on file, $75 fee, new Child Maltreatment Central Registry Clearance. |
| Standard Teaching License-Lead Professional | Yes | 99 | 5 | 36 hours of professional development for each of the previous 5 years, background checks on file, $75 fee, new Child Maltreatment Central Registry Clearance. |
| Standard Teaching License-Master Professional | Yes | 99 | 5 | 36 hours of professional development for each of the previous 5 years, background checks on file, $75 fee, new Child Maltreatment Central Registry Clearance. |
Emergency and temporary credentials
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspiring Teacher Permit | No | 1 | No | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Provisional License | Yes | 3 | No | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Provisional Technical Permit | Yes | 1 | Yes | 7-12 |
Out-of-state teachers
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Arkansas. Ask Arkansas Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.
Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 180.
Alternative routes
- American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) (teach while completing)
- Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP) (teach while completing)
- Arkansas Teacher Corps (teach while completing)
- eStem (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. Arkansas State University (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. Arkansas Tech University (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. Harding University (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. Henderson State University (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. John Brown University (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. Southern Arkansas University (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. University of Arkansas - Monticello (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. University of Central Arkansas (teach while completing)
- M.A.T. Williams Baptist University (teach while completing)
- M.Ed. University of Arkansas - Little Rock (teach while completing)
- Teach for America (teach while completing)
How to become a teacher in ArkansasArkansas teacher preparation providers
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a teaching certificate in Arkansas?
Arkansas reports 9 credentials to Title II, 4 of them initial. 2 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 1 require a preparation program and 2 require tests. Apply through Arkansas Department of Education.
How do I verify a teaching license in Arkansas?
Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by Arkansas Department of Education. PT3 does not verify licenses.
Can I renew a Arkansas teaching certificate?
6 of 9 Arkansas credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.
Does Arkansas issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?
Yes. Title II lists 3: Aspiring Teacher Permit; Provisional License; Provisional Technical Permit.
Can I teach in Arkansas with an out-of-state license?
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Arkansas. Ask Arkansas Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.
Is there alternative teacher certification in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas reports 16 alternative routes to Title II.