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Arkansas Teacher Certification and Career Guide

Arkansas teacher certification is overseen by the Office of Educator Effectiveness and Licensure within the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Arkansas are:

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component.
  2. Complete a student teaching placement.
  3. Pass the required teacher certification exams.
  4. Apply for a teaching certificate or license.
  5. Upgrade your license.

Continue reading to learn more about the traditional certification pathway in Arkansas.

Table of Contents


How to Become a Teacher in Arkansas

This section outlines the steps to become a certified teacher in Arkansas via the traditional pathway. Those who hold a bachelor’s degree but have not yet completed a teacher preparation program may be eligible for alternative teacher certification in Arkansas.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree that includes an approved teacher preparation program.

In order to pursue teaching certification in Arkansas, the state requires candidates to hold a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program, usually as part of the bachelor’s degree. The bachelor’s degree major you pursue will depend on the grade level and subject you wish to teach. A list of DESE-approved educator preparation programs can be found on the website.

You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Arkansas schools page. You can also read about two important accreditations to consider, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation, on our teaching schools guide.

2. Complete a student teaching placement.

As part of your program, you will also complete a student teaching placement, sometimes called an internship. This is typically a full-time, semester-long placement during which you will have opportunities to lead a classroom while paired with an experienced teacher. To meet the requirements for state certification, the student teaching placement should be at the grade level and in the subject you wish to teach. Some programs may offer longer student teaching placements or the opportunity to pursue more than one placement.

3. Pass the required Arkansas teacher exams.

Arkansas State SealAs in many other states, the Praxis exam series from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) is required for teacher certification in Arkansas. Candidates must take the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Test and Subject Tests corresponding to their grade level and subject area. The PLT Test assesses a new teacher’s foundational educational practices. The Praxis Subject Assessment is an advanced test of professional knowledge and subject-area content knowledge. Some teacher preparation programs will also require students to take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests, though these are required for licensure in Arkansas. You can review more information on the Praxis website.

Candidates seeking endorsement in elementary education (K-6) and/or special education (K-12) must also pass the Arkansas Foundations of Reading assessment by Pearson. For further details, visit the Arkansas Foundations of Reading website.

4. Apply for Arkansas teacher certification.

To apply for a Standard Arkansas Teaching License, you must complete the required steps above and create an account in the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS). You will submit:

  • Official transcripts
  • Exam scores
  • Proof of fingerprint based background check
  • Non-refundable fees

Visit the ASDE for full details on how to become a teacher in Arkansas.

Guide to Other Teaching Pathways

Arkansas Teacher Certification Renewal

Arkansas teachers must renew their certificates every five years. The Standard License is good from January 1 to December 31 of each year. Teachers must complete 36 hours of Scheduled Professional Development (PD) annually. School districts are responsible for monitoring and verifying the completion of PD hours. Teachers must also provide documentation of an awareness credential in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction. They must also clear a background check. For more information, review the Renewing a License page and the Scheduled Professional Development (K-12) page.

Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate

Once you receive your teaching certificate, you will only be eligible to work as a teacher in the grade levels and certification areas listed on your certificate, though occasional, temporary exceptions are made. In Arkansas, teachers can add an area of licensure or endorsement by testing out (for levels no more than one grade level span above or below their current licensed area) or by completing a program of study and the required assessments.
For more information, review the Adding to a License page. You can review the licensure and endorsement areas on the Educator Licensure Area page.

Arkansas Teaching License Reciprocity

Teachers with a license from another state can apply to have their license recognized by the ADE by reciprocity based on the licensure rules and/or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure. To apply by reciprocity, out-of-state teachers must submit:

  • Background check
  • Official transcripts
  • Copy of current license
  • Test scores
  • Documentation of three years of licensed teaching experience, if applicable
  • Documentation of the completion of required professional development
  • Verification of Teaching Form

For more information, read the Licensure by Reciprocity page.

In addition to teaching licenses, the ADE offers licenses and endorsements for support, administrative, and leadership positions:

  • Curriculum Program Administrator (CPA): Requires a current Arkansas Standard Educator’s License with at least three years of experience in the relevant specialty core area, a master’s degree or higher, a graduate degree in or the completion of a program of study in leadership standards for licensure of beginning administrators, and passing scores on the required exams.
  • Building Level Administrator: Requires a current Arkansas Standard Educator’s License with at least three years of experience as a teacher, school counselor, or library media specialist, a master’s degree or higher, a graduate degree in or the completion of a program of study in leadership standards for licensure of beginning administrators, and passing scores on the required exams.
  • Online Teaching Endorsement: Requires an approved program of study and a passing score on the Online Teaching Endorsement Assessment.

Read more on the Preparation for School Leader Licensure page.

Arkansas Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

Projected Job Growth

2.9%

Growth in Teaching Jobs in AR through 20322*

There were 1,087 public K-12 schools in Arkansas during the 2017-2018 academic year, serving approximately 496,085 students.3 With an estimated 35,799 public school teachers, this gave Arkansas a student-to-teacher ratio of about 14:1.3

Educator job prospects through 2032 are stronger in Arkansas than the expected national averages, with job growth for Arkansas elementary teachers projected at 2.8% compared to 0.7% nationally; for Arkansas middle school teachers, 3% compared to 0.8% nationally; and for Arkansas secondary school teachers, 3% compared to 1% nationally.2 The table below provides a detailed comparison of job growth prospects and salary levels for Arkansas teachers.

TypeNumber Employed in AR4Average Annual Openings in AR2AR Proj. Job Growth 2022-20322Average Annual Salary in AR425th Percentile Wages in AR575th Percentile Wages in AR5
Preschool Teachers3,02062024.9%$35,880$26,610$41,280
Preschool Teachers, Special Education3303013.2%$36,620$28,580$42,360
Kindergarten Teachers1,7101602.7%$51,230$45,770$58,470
Elementary School Teachers12,2908302.8%$54,120$47,930$61,540
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education1,370902.3%$53,660$47,050$60,500
Middle School Teachers6,4204003%$56,000$48,440$62,950
Middle School Teachers, Special Education800——$54,810$47,360$62,520
Middle School Teachers, Career/Technical Education30——$62,850$63,030$66,590
Secondary School Teachers12,3307503%$57,420$48,980$63,430
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education1,470——$54,610$48,210$62,510
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education1,120701.8%$59,160$50,740$63,830

*The estimated job growth average is based on projections for mainstream kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Projections for other categories, such as special education and career and technical education, may be higher or lower than the average.

Teacher Shortages in Arkansas

According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2021-2022, Arkansas broadly has the following shortages:

In addition to these shortages, 2,407 teachers in Arkansas were considered underqualified for their assignment, which includes teachers assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.7

Additional Resources

Arkansas Teacher Interviews

  • Former President, Arkansas Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French, Sue Mistric

Related Articles

Teacher Quote: “Don’t be satisfied with ‘getting by’ behaviors in your students or yourself. Always strive for transparency, fairness, honesty, consistency, and excellence. Expect excellence and it happens.” -Sue Mistric, President of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I become an elementary teacher in Arkansas?

Answer: You must be certified through the state to become an elementary teacher in Arkansas. The ASDE requires a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program in elementary education, passing the required exams, and passing a criminal background check.

Question: What are the requirements to become a substitute teacher in Arkansas?

Answer: Arkansas does not have minimum requirements to become a substitute teacher in the state, nor do they offer certification for subs. Instead, individual schools and school districts determine substitute teacher requirements. Long-Term Substitutes (LTSs) who take the place of a contracted teacher for more than 60 days must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or be a licensed Arkansas teacher.

Question: How many private schools and private school teachers are there in Arkansas?

Answer: According to the latest statistics available, as of the 2019-20 school year, there were 171 private schools in Arkansas, with 2,662 full-time teachers and 24,234 students.8 Arkansas law does not require private school teachers to be certified, though some schools may prefer to hire teachers with state credentials. Check with private schools in your area to confirm requirements.

References:
1. Arkansas Department of Education: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/educator-effectiveness
2. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. National Center for Education Statistics, State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey Data, 2017-2018: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/stnfis.asp
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Arkansas: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
6. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports
7. Teacher Shortages in the United States, Tuan D. Nguyen et al.: https://teachershortages.com/
8. National Center for Education Statistics, Private School Universe Survey, 2019-20: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/tables/TABLE15fl1920.asp