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Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Arkansas
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Arkansas. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Primary Exam
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT)
Total Gov Fees
$420–$550
Initial Cert
5 years
| Requirement | Value | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree | Verified |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Verified |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required | Verified |
| Student Teaching | Required | Verified |
| Background Check | Required | Verified |
| Fingerprinting | Required | |
| GPA Requirement | 2.7 | Verified |
| Minimum Age | 18 | Verified |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. | Verified |
Not sure if you need a teacher license? Check whether your state requires one.
pedagogy
Passing score: Varies by grade level
Tests pedagogical knowledge. Required for all prospective educators in Arkansas.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area
Subject-specific content knowledge test required for the certification area sought.
reading instruction
Passing score: Varies
Required for candidates seeking endorsement in elementary education (K-6) and/or special education (K-12). Administered by Pearson.
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the Praxis.
Overall licensing difficulty: 23/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Praxis Teacher Certification Exams
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT)
Passing Score
Varies by grade level
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $300–$430Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT).
Matched study materials
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Praxis Core Academic Skills
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Issued to teachers who have completed all licensure requirements including an approved preparation program and required exams. Valid for 5 years and renewable.
Issued to individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and are completing requirements through an alternative pathway. Allows teaching while finishing licensure requirements.
Minimum Education
High school diploma or GED (standard substitute); bachelor's degree (long-term substitute, 30+ consecutive days)
Certificate Required
No separate certificate
Background Check
Required
Validity
Determined by employing district
Arkansas does not require a state substitute teaching license for short-term assignments. Traditional substitutes need a high school diploma or GED and must pass a background check. Long-term substitutes (30-60+ consecutive days) must hold at least a bachelor's degree or an Arkansas teaching license. Background checks include FBI/Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check and Department of Human Services Child Maltreatment Central Registry check.
| Fee | Amount | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Application FeeNon-refundable processing fee for a five-year standard license | $75 | Verified |
| Fingerprint FeeFBI/Arkansas State Police background check fee (approximate) | $45 | Verified |
| Exam Fees (Total)Varies by number of Praxis subtests plus Foundations of Reading if applicable | $300–$430 | Verified |
| Initial CertificateProcessing fee included in application | $75 | Verified |
| Renewal FeeSame processing fee as initial license; requires new background check | $75 | Verified |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees | $420–$550 | Verified |
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Graduate from an approved teacher preparation program with at least a bachelor's degree.
Take and pass the Praxis PLT and Subject Assessment for your certification area, plus Foundations of Reading if seeking K-6 or Special Education endorsement.
Fee: $300–$430
Submit to FBI/Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check and Department of Human Services Child Maltreatment Central Registry check.
Fee: $45
Apply through the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS) online portal.
Fee: $75
Once all requirements are verified, the Standard Teaching License is issued for 5 years.
Arkansas offers several alternative pathways. The Teacher Licensure Plan (TLP), introduced under Act 304 of 2025, replaced previous waivers and emergency permits. It is a collaborative framework between ADE and school districts to ensure educators without licensure are on a structured path to obtaining their license. The Aspiring Teacher Permit allows individuals to teach while completing licensure requirements.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
36
Renewal Cycle
1 years
Arkansas requires at least 36 professional development hours every school year in which a teacher has taught. For license renewal, teachers must also provide documentation of an awareness credential in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction (for licenses expiring December 31, 2023, and after). Renewal also requires a new background check and Child Maltreatment Central Registry Form.
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Reciprocity Type
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement (with ADE licensure rules also governing reciprocity)
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Arkansas participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Out-of-state teachers with valid certificates may be eligible for Arkansas licensure.
Additional requirements: Out-of-state applicants must pass Arkansas-required Praxis exams, complete a background check, and submit Child Maltreatment Central Registry Form. Additional coursework may be required.
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Unique to Arkansas: Arkansas has an annual professional development requirement of 36 hours per school year (not per renewal cycle), and requires a brand new background check and Child Maltreatment Central Registry Form for each license renewal. The 2025 Teacher Licensure Plan (TLP) replaced all previous waivers and emergency permits with a unified framework.
Teacher requirements in nearby states
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Official Sources
Teacher requirements in Arkansas verified against Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), March 2026.
Moving to Arkansas? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Teacher license to Arkansas →
Transfer your Teacher license from Arkansas to: Louisiana → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | Oklahoma → | Tennessee → | Texas →
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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