Arkansas Teacher License Renewal Requirements

<p>In order to renew a standard teaching license, an educator must complete a minimum of 36 hours of professional development in areas approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. The general requirements for license renewal and some career facts are summarized in the table below. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education Required for License</td><td> Bachelor's degree</td></tr> <tr><td>Exam Requirements for Licensing </td><td> Praxis <br /> edTPA</td></tr> <tr><td>Certification Renewal Period </td><td>Five years (standard license)</td></tr> <tr><td>Requirements for Renewal </td><td> 36 professional development hours per school year</td></tr> <tr><td>Average Salary (2018) </td><td> $33,150 (preschool teachers in AR) <br /> $46,180 (kindergarten teachers in AR) <br /> $48,560 (elementary school teachers in AR) <br /> $49,570 (middle school teachers in AR) <br /> $51,780 (high school teachers in AR)*</td></tr> <tr><td>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td>8% (preschool, primary, secondary, and special education school teachers nationally)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---GeneralRequirementsForRenewalOfAStandardLicense">General Requirements for Renewal of a Standard License</h3> <p>In order to renew a standard license, the educator must submit a new cleared background check as well as proof of the professional development hours they have completed. Educators are able to renew their licenses even if they are not currently employed but have completed the required number of professional development hours. </p> <h3 id="section---BackgroundCheck">Background Check</h3> <p>The licensed teacher may complete the online background check application form on the Arkansas Educator Licensure System that can be found on the Arkansas Department of Education website. Once this form is completed, the educator must print it for submission. The payment for the Arkansas State Police (ASP), and Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) background checks must be done online. When payment is made, a transaction number will be generated which the educator will use at a livescan location to get their fingerprints scanned. To complete the background check, educators must also complete an Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry check. This is done by completing the form which can be found on the Arkansas Department of Education website, having it notarized and sending the form with a check. </p> <h3 id="section---ProfessionalDevelopment">Professional Development</h3> <p>Educators who need to renew their licenses must complete a minimum of 36 professional development hours per school year. Approved professional development activities include those that are provided by the Arkansas Department of Education and accredited colleges or universities. As of 2017, schools districts are required to provide the following professional development activities to their educators: </p> <ul><li>Child Maltreatment and Mandated Reporter </li><li>Parent Involvement </li><li>Teen Suicide and Awareness Prevention </li><li>Arkansas History </li><li>Human Trafficking </li></ul><p>These activities must be provided every four years, and schools are required to maintain a record of the educators who have completed them. In addition, professional development hours can be obtained through college courses at the graduate level, professional book studies, development of intervention strategies and analysis of student data through teamwork. Activities such as clerical work or administrative meetings will not count towards professional development hours. Educators must have their employer sign a Verification Form for Professional Development each year. </p> <h3 id="section---ApplicationProcess">Application Process</h3> <p>The application for renewing a license is an online process through the Arkansas Department of Education website. After completing the background check, educators can upload their professional development verification forms with their professional development certificates and pay the $75 application fee through the online portal. The Arkansas Department of Education no longer issues physical licenses but educators can print a copy of their licenses from the educator online portal.</p>