Become one of over 35,000 qualified teachers in Arkansas. The licensure process in Arkansas is based on a performance system. Any teacher who has been teaching for one year or less must follow a specific track, during which time they gain important experience and guidance. Upon completion of the provisionary time, which may range from one to three years, then a teacher may move on to a standard license.

To obtain an initial license, a teacher must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution offering a teacher preparation program and must have successfully completed the Praxis I, reading, writing, and math; the Praxis II, content test for all parts required; and the Praxis III, Principles of Learning and Teaching. The applicant must also pass a criminal background check. Each provisional teacher is assigned a site-based mentor who guides the professional growth of the teacher. When both the teacher and the mentor determine that the teacher is ready, the Praxis III performance assessment is given. Upon successful completion of this assessment, the teacher will receive a standard license.

The schools in Arkansas are known for their high standards. Central High School in Little Rock just received a ranking of 36 out of 1,300 high schools by Newsweek. Jonesboro High School also made the top 1,300, which represents the top 5% of high schools in the nation. Fayetteville is the home to the University of Arkansas and is frequently ranked among the top 25 places to live. Fort Smith offers a Future Focus task force of parents, community members, and educators who come together to ensure high standards for their public schools.

After teaching with a standard license for five years in Arkansas, recertification is required. All teachers applying for recertification must have completed 60 clock hours of professional development per year. Additionally, the teacher must have been teaching at least two of the previous five years.