Licensure

The Office of Professional Education is here to help guide you through the licensure process.

About Licensure

First-Time Arkansas Teaching License

This applies to graduates of the following BSE and MAT Education programs: Elementary, Middle-Level, Business, Art, Music, Agriculture, English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Social Studies, World Languages, and Special Education.

After graduating and completing all other requirements, you may apply for first-time licensure.

View the process for applying for first-time licensure >>

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Provisional License

Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching program may qualify for a provisional license provided that certain requirements are met.

View the process for applying for a provisional MAT license >>

School Counseling First-Time License

This applies to all School Counseling graduates who are seeking a first-time license in ANY state.

School Counseling First Time Licensure >>

Advanced Program Licensures

This applies to graduates who are adding to a current license from the Reading/Dyslexia, Gifted & Talented, Adult Education, School Counseling, Special Education, and Speech Language Pathology programs.

Applying Additional Teaching Area to Current Licensure >>

Applying Additional Teaching Area to Current Out-of-State Licensure >>

Administrator Licensure

This applies to graduates of Educational Leadership programs, including Building-Level Administrator (Principal), Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education Director, Gifted & Talented Director, and District-Level Administrator (Superintendent).

Applying for Arkansas Administrator Licensure >>

Applying for Out-of-State Administrator Licensure >>

First-Time Arkansas Teaching Licensure Application Process

Before you begin this process, please make sure you have completed all requirements and have graduated. Your degree date must be posted on your transcript in order to complete licensure.

There is a $75 fee for obtaining a standard license in Arkansas.

Before beginning this application, you must be prepared to pay the $75.00 license fee. You will not be able to submit your license application without entering payment information. Have your credit/debit card ready.

1) Central Registry And Criminal Background Check

A central registry and criminal background check must be completed. Dates must not be older than one year at the time of licensing.

Instructions for Background Checks are available. Please read the instructions carefully to ensure backgrounds are processed quickly and efficiently.

Check the clearance of the central registry and criminal background checks >>

You can log in to your AELS account to view your background. Click "view current license information" and look under Non-Criminal Background Information (NCBC). You should have 3 approvals: FBI, ASP, and Central Registry. All three need to be within 1 year. FBI and State are fingerprints, Central Registry is the Child Maltreatment check.

2) Completion of ArkansasIDEAS Professional Development

All of the following courses on ArkansasIDEAS must be completed and turned in to the Educator Licensure Specialist, Mrs. Woolard:

Course Topic Hours Course ID
Child Maltreatment Training 2 hours ERB25003
Mental Health Awareness 2 hours TLC22002
Family and Community Engagement 2 hours PIB22001
Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention 2 hours HWB23001
Bullying Prevention 2 hours ERC20073
Dyslexia 1 hour HWG14003
Human Trafficking Awareness 1 hour ERB18062

Arkansas History

     *Not required if an Arkansas History course is part of your coursework

 2 hours AHB25002
Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) – Arkansas Code of Ethics Training Video 1 hour ERC19048
Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators: Ethical Scenarios in Education (2020) 1 hour ERC20059
Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - Social Media Guidelines 3 hours TCC14435

Instructions: Log in to ArkansasIDEAS and click Record of Learning at the top of the page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and change the dropdown option to PDF Landscape. You will then click Export, and a list of all your completed courses will be downloaded.

All Elementary Education (K-6), Middle School Social Studies (4-8), and Social Studies (7-12) applicants must have a 3-hour Arkansas History college course or complete the 45-hour ArkansasIDEAS program of study.

For more information or assistance, see the LMS User Guide. Feel free to call the ArkansasIDEAS Help Desk at 1-800-488-6689 or email ideas@aetn.org if you have any questions, concerns, or need more information on receiving professional development.

3) Praxis Exams

Be sure to have scores submitted for all Praxis exams to Arkansas State University (Code 6011) and to the Arkansas Department of Education (Code 7031). You won't need to submit a paper copy of your score report unless requested by Mrs. Woolard.

If you are unsure what Praxis exams are required for your licensure area, please visit the Arkansas Department of Education website.

*In accordance with Act 416 of 2017, a candidate for Elementary Education (K-6) or Special Education (K-12) licensure must pass a stand-alone assessment of the essential components of beginning reading instruction based on the science of reading. Candidates leading to all other initial licensure areas meet the Science of Reading Prescribed Pathway for Awareness requirement to receive a standard license.

4) Apply Online

Once your application has been submitted, Mrs. Woolard will review for confirmation of recommendation from Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence, the Professional Licensure Officer. This review process could take from 1 to 14 days, depending on the licensure workload. You will receive an email from Mrs. Woolard if anything is missing to approve your recommendation.

*Only Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (K-12) are eligible for a Provisional License without the Foundations of Reading exam.

5) Send Official Transcripts to the Arkansas Department of Education

Transcripts can be requested through the National Student Clearinghouse via Banner9 Self-Service or A-State's website.

It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts.

Sending transcripts before your degree has been conferred will cause a delay in licensure, and you will have to resend a copy. 

AELS Licensure Information

To check the status of your license, go to the Arkansas Department of Education's Licensure website. If your licensure status has not changed from pending to approved after 4 weeks, please reach out to Mrs. Woolard at swoolard@astate.edu.

When this process is complete, you will be able to print your license from your Arkansas Department of Education AELS account and begin your career as a teacher.

At A-State, your graduation checklist identifies the areas in which you are qualified to seek licensure. Please reach out to your advisor, department chair, or the licensure specialist if you have questions. Areas for licensure can be added later, but it requires completing another online application, etc. Please apply for and secure your license as soon as possible because licensure requirements change from time to time, and if you wait, you may be required to complete additional work.

Out-of-State Licensure

To verify that an applicant can be recommended for licensure in another state, he/she must be eligible for professional licensure in the state of Arkansas. It is in your best interest to get licensed in the state of Arkansas before you seek licensure out of state.

Arkansas State University provides state-by-state educational determinations on the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

Questions Regarding Licensure

A downloadable and printable version of these instructions is available: Arkansas Initial Licensure Checklist

Reach out to the Office of Professional Education for any questions regarding licensure!

Address:
Office of Professional Education
PO Box 720
State University, AR 72467

Sara Woolard
Educator Licensure Specialist
swoolard@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence
Professional Licensure Officer
mspence@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Master of Arts in Teaching and Pre-K Academy Provisional License Process

Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching program and the Pre-K Academy Certificate program may qualify for a provisional license, provided that certain requirements are met.

Before you can initiate the process for a Provisional License, you must have a job offer in the state of Arkansas.                              Do NOT begin this process until you have met all the requirements listed below.

To remain eligible for a provisional license, you must:

1) Program Requirements

All majors must be currently enrolled in a course or enrolled in a future course. Enrollment checks are completed every semester.

For Special Education MAT candidates only

Complete six (6) credit hours — ELSE 5003 SPED Academy 101 and an approved 3-credit-hour special education course.

2) Praxis Exams

If you are unsure which Praxis exam is required for your licensure area, please visit the Arkansas Department of Education website. You can find the exam(s) you need to take by the area you are getting licensed in.

The Foundations of Reading exam for Elementary and Special Education is not required for a provisional license. It is required to get a standard license after completion of the MAT program.

3) Offer of Employment

Ask the superintendent or designee to complete the Provisional License Recommendation form that states your employment as teacher of record, in the area(s) in which you are getting your license. You will submit this to the PEP Office email to Mrs. Woolard at swoolard@astate.edu.

4) Central Registry and Criminal Background Check

A central registry and criminal background check must be completed. Dates must not be older than one year at the time of licensing.

Instructions for Background Checks are available. Please read the instructions carefully to ensure backgrounds are processed quickly and efficiently.

Check the clearance of the central registry and criminal background checks >>

You can log in to your AELS account to view your background. Click "view current license information" and look under Non-Criminal Background Information (NCBC). You should have 3 approvals: FBI, ASP, and Central Registry. All 3 need to be within 1 year. FBI and State are fingerprints, Central Registry is the Child Maltreatment check.

5) Completion of ArkansasIDEAS Professional Development

Registration Process for ArkansasIDEAS
  1. Go to http://ideaslms.aetn.org/login/index.php 
  2. To register, click, "Create New Account." You will be taken to the registration form.
  3. Follow the quick start instructions from there, and you should be able to register and take courses.
  4. After you complete your registration, it will take about 15 minutes for the system to process your information and create your course list. You may need to log out after registration and then log back in 15 minutes later to see the course listings.

For more information regarding creating an account or registering, see the LMS User Guide. Feel free to call the ArkansasIDEAS Help Desk at 1-800-488-6689 or email ideas@aetn.org if you have any questions, concerns, or need more information on receiving professional development.

All of the following courses on ArkansasIDEAS must be completed:

Course Topic Hours Course ID
Child Maltreatment Training 2 hours ERB25003
Mental Health Awareness 2 hours TLC22002
Family and Community Engagement 2 hours PIB22001
Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention 2 hours HWB23001
Bullying Prevention 2 hours ERC20073
Dyslexia 1 hour HWG14003
Human Trafficking Awareness 1 hour ERB18062

Arkansas History

     *Not required if an Arkansas History course is part of your coursework

 2 hours AHB25002
Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) – Arkansas Code of Ethics Training Video 1 hour ERC19048
Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators: Ethical Scenarios in Education (2020) 1 hour ERC20059
Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - Social Media Guidelines 3 hours TCC14435

After completion, you will send your entire Record of Learning as a PDF to the licensure specialist with the Ethics Training Verification Form.

Instructions: Log in to ArkansasIDEAS and click Record of Learning at the top of the page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and change the dropdown option to PDF Landscape. You will then click Export, and a list of all your completed courses will be downloaded.

All Elementary Education (K-6), Middle School Social Studies (4-8), and Social Studies (7-12) applicants must have a 3-hour Arkansas History college course or complete the 45-hour ArkansasIDEAS program of study. This is NOT required for a provisional license, but it is required for a standard license.

6) Apply Online and Send all Required Documents to the Licensure Specialist

All documents listed above must be emailed to Mrs. Woolard in order to proceed 

7) Send Official Transcripts to the Arkansas Department of Education

The Department of Education will require your official bachelor's degree transcript, as well as your official transcript from A-State showing that you are enrolled.

Transcripts can be requested through the National Student Clearinghouse via Banner9 Self-Service or A-State's website.

It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts.

Process

All listed documents must be included in one email and sent to Mrs. Woolard. Incomplete information will delay licensure or potentially not get processed at all. 

Once your application has been submitted, Mrs. Woolard will review for confirmation of recommendation from Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence, the Professional Licensure Officer. This review process could take from 1 to 14 days, depending on the licensure workload. You will receive an email from Mrs. Woolard if anything is missing to approve your recommendation.

AELS Licensure Information

To check the status of your license, go to the Arkansas Department of Education's Licensure website. If your licensure status has not changed from pending to approved after 4 weeks, please reach out to Mrs. Woolard at swoolard@astate.edu.

When this process is complete, you will be able to print your license from your Arkansas Department of Education AELS account with your new licensure area added on.

Questions Regarding Licensure

A downloadable and printable version of these instructions is available:

Reach out to the Office of Professional Education for any questions regarding licensure!

Address:
Office of Professional Education
PO Box 720
State University, AR 72467

Sara Woolard
Educator Licensure Specialist
swoolard@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence
Professional Licensure Officer
mspence@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Program of Study

Do you have a bachelor's degree but not in teaching and want a license to teach?

After completion of a bachelor's degree, a Program of Study is a plan to attain a license to teach. A program of study is comprised of undergraduate classes and required Praxis exams that prepare you to be a teacher. You may have a program of study designed for any of the following areas by the designated individuals.

Available Programs of Study

Elementary Education, Grades K-6

(870) 972-3059
Dr. Nicole Covey
ncovey@astate.edu

Special Education K-12

(870) 972-3062
Dr. Jessie King (BSE)
jking@astate.edu

Agriculture

(870) 972-2087
Dr. Nina Crutchfield
ncrutchfield@astate.edu

Art

(870) 972-3050
Dr. Susan Whiteland
swhiteland@astate.edu

English

(870) 972-3043
Dr. Rob Lamm
rlamm@astate.edu

History

(870) 972-3046
Dr. Wesley Jackson
wjackson@astate.edu 

Languages

(870) 972-3887
Dr. Ruth Owens
rsupko@astate.edu

Mathematics

(870) 972-3090
Dr. Amanda Lambertus
alambertus@astate.edu

Music/Instrumental

(870) 972-2094
Dr. Andrew Bohn
abohn@astate.edu

Music/Vocal

(870) 972-2094
Dr. Marques Ruff
mruff@astate.edu

PE

(870) 972-3066
Dr. Valarie Hilson
vhilson@astate.edu

 

School Counseling First Time Licensure

This page is for School Counseling graduates who are seeking a first-time license in any state.

Before you begin this process, please make sure you have completed all requirements and have graduated. Your degree date must be posted on your transcript in order to complete licensure.

Licensure Requirements

1) Praxis Exams

All applicants who are seeking a first-time teaching license in ANY state are required to complete the following Praxis exams. Be sure to have scores submitted for all Praxis exams to Arkansas State University (Code 6011) and to the Arkansas Department of Education (Code 7031).

The Praxis PLT is an Arkansas State University School Counseling program requirement for those seeking first-time licensure and is used to assess pedagogical competence.

2) Completion of ArkansasIDEAS Professional Development

All of the following courses on ArkansasIDEAS must be completed and turned in to the Educator Licensure Specialist, Mrs. Woolard:

Course Topic Hours Course ID
Child Maltreatment Training 2 hours ERB25003
Mental Health Awareness 2 hours TLC22002
Family and Community Engagement 2 hours PIB22001
Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention 2 hours HWB23001
Bullying Prevention 2 hours ERC20073
Dyslexia 1 hour HWG14003
Human Trafficking Awareness 1 hour ERB18062

Arkansas History (required for Arkansas licensure)

 2 hours AHB25002
Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) – Arkansas Code of Ethics Training Video 1 hour ERC19048
Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators: Ethical Scenarios in Education (2020) 1 hour ERC20059
Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - Social Media Guidelines 3 hours TCC14435

Instructions: Log in to ArkansasIDEAS and click Record of Learning at the top of the page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and change the dropdown option to PDF Landscape. You will then click Export, and a list of all your completed courses will be downloaded.

For more information or assistance, see the LMS User Guide. Feel free to call the ArkansasIDEAS Help Desk at 1-800-488-6689 or email ideas@aetn.org if you have any questions, concerns, or need more information on receiving professional development.

First-Time Arkansas Licensure

1) Central Registry and Criminal Background Check

A central registry and criminal background check must be completed. Dates must not be older than one year at the time of licensing.

Instructions for Background Checks are available. Please read the instructions carefully to ensure backgrounds are processed quickly and efficiently.

Check the clearance of the central registry and criminal background checks >>

You can log in to your AELS account to view your background. Click "view current license information" and look under Non-Criminal Background Information (NCBC). You should have 3 approvals: FBI, ASP, and Central Registry. All three need to be within 1 year. FBI and State are fingerprints, Central Registry is the Child Maltreatment check.

2) Apply Online and Send Licensure Requirements to Mrs. Woolard

There is a $75 fee for obtaining a standard license in Arkansas.

Before beginning this application, you must be prepared to pay the $75.00 license fee. You will not be able to submit your license application without entering payment information. Have your credit/debit card ready.

All Licensure Requirements listed above (Praxis, PLT, and ArkansasIDEAS) must be completed and emailed to Mrs. Woolard when starting the online application. The requirements can also be uploaded to your online application.

Once your application has been submitted, Mrs. Woolard will review for confirmation of recommendation from Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence, the Professional Licensure Officer. This review process could take from 1 to 14 days, depending on the licensure workload. You will receive an email from Mrs. Woolard if anything is missing to approve your recommendation.

3) Send Official Transcripts to the Arkansas Department of Education

Transcripts can be requested through the National Student Clearinghouse via Banner9 Self-Service or A-State's website.

It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts.

Sending transcripts before your degree has been conferred will cause a delay in licensure, and you will have to resend a copy. 

AELS Licensure Information

To check the status of your license, go to the Arkansas Department of Education's Licensure website. If your licensure status has not changed from pending to approved after 4 weeks, please reach out to Mrs. Woolard at swoolard@astate.edu.

When this process is complete, you will be able to print your license from your Arkansas Department of Education AELS account and begin your career as a teacher.

At A-State, your graduation checklist identifies the areas in which you are qualified to seek licensure. Please reach out to your advisor, department chair, or the licensure specialist if you have questions. Areas for licensure can be added later, but it requires completing another online application, etc. Please apply for and secure your license as soon as possible because licensure requirements change from time to time, and if you wait, you may be required to complete additional work.

First-Time Out-of-State Licensure

To verify that an applicant can be recommended for licensure in another state, they must be eligible for professional licensure in the state of Arkansas. Arkansas State University provides state-by-state educational determinations on the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page. Because licensure requirements vary and may include additional conditions, students should review that page and confirm requirements with their state’s licensing board before enrolling in an out-of-state program.

In one packet, you will send the following information:
  1. Out-of-State Verification/Recommendation Form
    1. This form will come from your respective state. Please complete any required applicant information and sign, if applicable.
    2. If you cannot find this form online, please call your state’s department of education.
    3. Please note: many states recommend/require that students get licensed in Arkansas first and then reciprocate to the state where they reside. If this is the case for you, please follow the First-Time Arkansas Licensure instructions.
  2. Contact Information
    1. Please include a note with the following information:
      • Full name
      • Student ID
      • Address
      • Phone Number
      • Personal Email
  3. Praxis School Counselor and PLT Score Reports
    1. To be recommended for licensure in any state, you must pass the exam required for Arkansas. If you are unsure which Praxis exam is required for your area, please click here to see the list on the Arkansas Department of Education website.
  4. Record of Learning from ArkansasIDEAS

All listed documents must be included in a packet and sent to Mrs. Woolard. Incomplete packets will delay licensure or potentially not get processed at all. The applicant will receive an email from Mrs. Woolard requesting any missing information.

Submit the licensure packet by mailing it to the following address:

Office of Professional Education Programs

Attn: Sara Woolard

P.O. Box 720

State University, AR  72467

Items can be emailed to Mrs. Woolard, as long as nothing contains your social security number. All the items listed must be sent in a single email.

It is your responsibility to request that your official transcript be sent to your state’s Department of Education. This process is completed through the National Student Clearinghouse, and can be accessed through your Banner9 Self-Service account or via A-State’s website. Do not send your transcript before your degrees are posted.

Upon receipt of a completed application packet, Mrs. Sara Woolard, Educator Licensure Specialist, will review for confirmation of recommendation from Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence, the Professional Licensure Officer at Arkansas State University. This process takes 3-6 weeks, depending on the Professional Licensure Officer's licensure workload.

Questions Regarding Licensure

A downloadable and printable version of these instructions is available for each area: 

Reach out to the Office of Professional Education for any questions regarding licensure!

Address:
Office of Professional Education
PO Box 720
State University, AR 72467

Sara Woolard
Educator Licensure Specialist
swoolard@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence
Professional Licensure Officer
mspence@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Adding Additional Teaching Area to Current Arkansas Licensure

The instructions below are for those who have a current, standard teaching license in Arkansas and have completed a degree or certificate in one of the following areas:

Before you begin this process, please make sure you have completed all requirements and have graduated. Your degree date must be posted on your transcript in order to complete licensure.

1) Praxis Exams

Be sure to have scores submitted for all Praxis exams to Arkansas State University (Code 6011) and to the Arkansas Department of Education (Code 7031). You won't need to submit a paper copy of your score report unless requested by Mrs. Woolard.

If you are unsure what Praxis exams are required for your licensure area, please visit the Arkansas Department of Education website.

2) Apply Online

Once your application has been submitted, Mrs. Woolard will review for confirmation of recommendation from Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence, the Professional Licensure Officer. This review process could take from 1 to 14 days, depending on the licensure workload. You will receive an email from Mrs. Woolard if anything is missing to approve your recommendation.

3) Send Official Transcripts to the Arkansas Department of Education

Transcripts can be requested through the National Student Clearinghouse via Banner9 Self-Service or A-State's website.

It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts.

Sending transcripts before your degree has been conferred will cause a delay in licensure, and you will have to resend a copy. 

AELS Licensure Information

To check the status of your license, go to the Arkansas Department of Education's Licensure website. If your licensure status has not changed from pending to approved after 4 weeks, please reach out to Mrs. Woolard at swoolard@astate.edu.

When this process is complete, you will be able to print your license from your Arkansas Department of Education AELS account with your new licensure area added on.

Questions Regarding Licensure

A downloadable and printable version of these instructions is available for each area:

Reach out to the Office of Professional Education for any questions regarding licensure!

Address:
Office of Professional Education
PO Box 720
State University, AR 72467

Sara Woolard
Educator Licensure Specialist
swoolard@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence
Professional Licensure Officer
mspence@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Adding Additional Teaching Area to Current Out-of-State Licensure

The instructions below are for those who have a current, standard teaching license in a state other than Arkansas and have completed a degree or certificate in one of the following areas:

To verify that an applicant can be recommended for licensure in another state, they must be eligible for professional licensure in the state of Arkansas. Arkansas State University provides state-by-state educational determinations on the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page. Because licensure requirements vary and may include additional conditions, students should review that page and confirm requirements with their state’s licensing board before enrolling in an out-of-state program.

Before you begin this process, please make sure you have completed all requirements and have graduated. Your degree date must be posted on your transcript in order to complete licensure.

Required Documentation

  1. Out-of-State Verification/Recommendation Form
    1. This form will come from your respective state. Please complete any required applicant information and sign, if applicable.
    2. If you cannot find this form online, please call your state’s department of education.
    3. Please note: many states recommend/require that students get licensed in Arkansas first and then reciprocate to the state where they reside. If this is the case for you, you need to first reciprocate your current license to Arkansas, and then you will be able to add the area you are seeking to it and reciprocate back to your state. Reciprocity information can be found here
  2. Contact Information
    1. Please include a note with the following information:
      • Full name
      • Student ID
      • Address
      • Phone Number
      • Personal Email
  3. Praxis Score Report
    1. To be recommended for licensure in any state, you must pass the exam required for Arkansas. If you are unsure which Praxis exam is required for your area, please click here to see the list on the Arkansas Department of Education website.
    2. Applicants seeking Special Education K-12 licensure must also pass the Foundations of Reading exam.
  4. Teaching License
    1. A copy of your current, standard license must be included. This license cannot be provisional/temporary, and it cannot be expired.

Process

All listed documents must be included in a packet and sent to Mrs. Woolard. Incomplete packets will delay licensure or potentially not get processed at all. The applicant will receive an email from Mrs. Woolard requesting any missing information.

Submit the licensure packet by mailing it to the following address:

Office of Professional Education Programs

Attn: Sara Woolard

P.O. Box 720

State University, AR  72467

Items can be emailed to Mrs. Woolard, as long as nothing contains your social security number. All the items listed must be sent in a single email.

It is your responsibility to request that your official transcript be sent to your state’s Department of Education. This process is completed through the National Student Clearinghouse, and can be accessed through your Banner9 Self-Service account or via A-State’s website. Do not send your transcript before your degrees are posted.

It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts.

Upon receipt of a completed application packet, Mrs. Sara Woolard, Educator Licensure Specialist, will review for confirmation of recommendation from Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence, the Professional Licensure Officer at Arkansas State University. This process takes 3-6 weeks, depending on the Professional Licensure Officer's licensure workload.

Questions Regarding Licensure

A downloadable and printable version of these instructions is available for each area: 

Reach out to the Office of Professional Education for any questions regarding licensure!

Address:
Office of Professional Education
PO Box 720
State University, AR 72467

Sara Woolard
Educator Licensure Specialist
swoolard@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence
Professional Licensure Officer
mspence@AState.edu
870-972-2099

Applying for Arkansas Administrator Licensure

Please follow the instructions below to apply for adding an Arkansas administrator area to your current Arkansas Teaching License.

Degree or Certificate Conferral Dates MUST be posted before submitting the application.

1) Verification of Experience

Use the Verification of Teaching Experience form for any required classroom teaching experience, and use the Verification of Administrator Experience form for any required administrator experience.

The verification must be signed by the applicant's Principal, Superintendent, or HR personnel. Upon completion, this can be emailed to Mrs. Woolard, or uploaded to the online licensure application.

2) Apply Online

    Complete the information requested on the pages that follow.

    Once your application has been submitted, Mrs. Woolard will review for confirmation of recommendation from Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence, the Professional Licensure Officer. This review process could take from 1 to 14 days, depending on the licensure workload. You will receive an email from Mrs. Woolard if anything is missing to approve your recommendation.

    3) Send Official Transcripts to the Arkansas Department of Education

    Transcripts can be requested through the National Student Clearinghouse via Banner9 Self-Service or A-State's website.

    It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts.

    Sending transcripts before your degree has been conferred will cause a delay in licensure, and you will have to resend a copy. 

    AELS Licensure Information

    To check the status of your license, go to the Arkansas Department of Education's Licensure website. If your licensure status has not changed from pending to approved after 4 weeks, please reach out to Mrs. Woolard at swoolard@astate.edu.

    When this process is complete, you will be able to print your license from your Arkansas Department of Education AELS account with your new licensure area added on.

    Questions Regarding Licensure

    A downloadable and printable version of these instructions is available for each area:

    Reach out to the Office of Professional Education for any questions regarding licensure!

    Address:
    Office of Professional Education
    PO Box 720
    State University, AR 72467

    Sara Woolard
    Educator Licensure Specialist
    swoolard@AState.edu
    870-972-2099

    Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence
    Professional Licensure Officer
    mspence@AState.edu
    870-972-2099

    Applying for Out-of-State Administrator Licensure

    The instructions below are for those who have a current, standard teaching license in a state other than Arkansas and have completed a degree or certificate in one of the following Educational Leadership areas:

    To verify that an applicant can be recommended for licensure in another state, they must be eligible for professional licensure in the state of Arkansas. Arkansas State University provides state-by-state educational determinations on the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page. Because licensure requirements vary and may include additional conditions, students should review that page and confirm requirements with their state’s licensing board before enrolling in an out-of-state program.

    Before you begin this process, please make sure you have completed all requirements and have graduated. Your degree date must be posted on your transcript in order to complete licensure.

    Required Documentation

    1. Out-of-State Verification/Recommendation Form
      1. This form will come from your respective state. Please complete any required applicant information and sign, if applicable.
      2. If you cannot find this form online, please call your state’s department of education.
      3. Please note: many states recommend/require that students get licensed in Arkansas first and then reciprocate to the state where they reside. If this is the case for you, you need to first reciprocate your current license to Arkansas, and then you will be able to add the area you are seeking to it and reciprocate back to your state. Reciprocity information can be found here
    2. Contact Information
      1. Please include a note with the following information:
        • Full name
        • Student ID
        • Address
        • Phone Number
        • Personal Email
    3. Verification of Experience

      Use the Verification of Teaching Experience form for any required classroom teaching experience, and use the Verification of Administrator Experience form for any required administrator experience.

      • Building-Level (Principal) and Curriculum & Instruction – 3 years in any P-12 subject, school counselor, or library media specialist
      • Gifted & Talented Director – 3 years in gifted & talented
      • Special Education Director – 3 years in special education, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, or school psychology
      • District-Level Administrator (Superintendent) – 1 year as a Curriculum, GT, or SPED Director, or as a Principal (can have served as an assistant).
    4. Teaching License
      1. A copy of your current, standard license must be included. This license cannot be provisional/temporary, and it cannot be expired.

    Process

    All listed documents must be included in a packet and sent to Mrs. Woolard. Incomplete packets will delay licensure or potentially not get processed at all. The applicant will receive an email from Mrs. Woolard requesting any missing information.

    Submit the licensure packet by mailing it to the following address:

    Office of Professional Education Programs

    Attn: Sara Woolard

    P.O. Box 720

    State University, AR  72467

    Items can be emailed to Mrs. Woolard, as long as nothing contains your social security number. All the items listed must be sent in a single email.

    It is your responsibility to request that your official transcript be sent to your state’s Department of Education. This process is completed through the National Student Clearinghouse, and can be accessed through your Banner9 Self-Service account or via A-State’s website. Do not send your transcript before your degrees are posted.

    It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts.

    Upon receipt of a completed application packet, Mrs. Sara Woolard, Educator Licensure Specialist, will review for confirmation of recommendation from Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence, the Professional Licensure Officer at Arkansas State University. This process takes 3-6 weeks, depending on the Professional Licensure Officer's licensure workload.

    Questions Regarding Licensure

    A downloadable and printable version of these instructions is available: Administrator Out-of-State Licensure Checklist

    Reach out to the Office of Professional Education for any questions regarding licensure!

    Address:
    Office of Professional Education
    PO Box 720
    State University, AR 72467

    Sara Woolard
    Educator Licensure Specialist
    swoolard@AState.edu
    870-972-2099

    Dr. Mary Elizabeth Spence
    Professional Licensure Officer
    mspence@AState.edu
    870-972-2099

     

    State Departments of Education

    Alabama Department of Education
    Gordon Persons Office Building
    50 North Ripley Street
    P.O. Box 302101
    Montgomery, AL 36104-3833

    Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
    Suite 200
    801 West 10th Street
    P.O. Box 110500
    Juneau, AK 99811-0500

    Arizona Department of Education
    1535 West Jefferson Street
    Phoenix, AZ 85007

    Arkansas Department of Education
    Room 304 A
    Four State Capitol Mall
    Little Rock, AR 72201-1071

    California Department of Education
    1430 N. Street
    Sacramento, CA 95814-5901

    Colorado Department of Education
    201 East Colfax Avenue
    Denver, CO 80203-1704

    Connecticut Department of Education
    State Office Building
    165 Capitol Avenue
    Hartford, CT 06106-1630

    Delaware Department of Education
    Suite 2
    401 Federal Street
    Dover, DE 19901-3639

    District of Columbia Public Schools
    Ninth Floor
    825 North Capitol Street, NE
    Washington, DC 20002

    Florida Department of Education
    Turlington Building
    Suite 1514
    325 West Gaines Street
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400

    Georgia Department of Education
    2066 Twin Towers East
    205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE
    Atlanta, GA 30334-5001

    Hawaii Department of Education
    Systems Accountability Office
    Room 411
    1390 Miller Street
    Honolulu, HI 96813

    Idaho Department of Education
    Len B. Jordan Office Building
    650 West State Street
    P.O. Box 83720
    Boise, ID 83720-0027

    Illinois State Board of Education
    100 North First Street
    Springfield, IL 62777

    Indiana Department of Education
    State House, Room 229
    Indianapolis, IN 46204-2795

    Iowa Department of Education
    Grimes State Office Building
    400 East 14th Street
    Des Moines, IA 50319-0146

    Kansas Department of Education
    120 South East 10th Avenue
    Topeka, KS 66612-1182

    Kentucky Department of Education
    Capital Plaza Tower
    First Floor
    500 Mero Street
    Frankfort, KY 40601

    Louisiana Department of Education
    1201 North Third
    P.O. Box 94064
    Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064

    Maine Department of Education
    Burton M. Cross State Office Building
    111 Sewall Street
    23 State House Station
    Augusta, ME 04333-0023

    Maryland Department of Education
    200 West Baltimore Street
    Baltimore, MD 21201

    Massachusetts Department of Education
    350 Main Street
    Malden, MA 02148

    Michigan Department of Education
    P.O. Box 30008
    608 West Allegan Street
    Lansing, MI 48909

    Minnesota Department of Education
    1500 Highway 36 West
    Roseville, MN 55113-4266

    Mississippi Department of Education
    Central High School
    359 North West Street
    P.O. Box 771
    Jackson, MS 39205

    Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
    205 Jefferson Street
    P.O. Box 480
    Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480

    Montana Office of Public Instruction
    P.O. Box 202501
    Helena, MT 59620-2501

    Nebraska Department of Education
    301 Centennial Mall South
    P.O. Box 94987
    Lincoln, NE 68509-4987

    Nevada Department of Education
    700 East Fifth Street
    Carson City, NV 89701

    New Hampshire Department of Education
    Hugh J. Gallan State Office Park
    101 Pleasant Street
    Concord, NH 03301

    New Jersey Department of Education
    P.O. Box 500
    100 Riverview Plaza
    Trenton, NJ 08625-0500

    New Mexico Public Education Department
    300 Don Gaspar
    Santa Fe, NM 87501-2786

    New York State Education Department
    Education Building
    Room 111
    89 Washington Avenue
    Albany, NY 12234

    North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
    301 North Wilmington Street
    Raleigh, NC 27601

    North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
    Department 201
    600 East Boulevard Avenue
    Bismarck, ND 58505-0440

    Ohio Department of Education
    25 South Front Street
    Columbus, OH 43215-4183

    Oklahoma State Department of Education
    2500 North Lincoln Boulevard
    Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599

    Oregon Department of Education
    255 Capitol Street, NE
    Salem, OR 97310-0203

    Pennsylvania Department of Education
    333 Market Street
    Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

    Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
    255 Westminster Street
    Providence, RI 02903-3400

    South Carolina Department of Education
    1006 Rutledge Building
    1429 Senate Street
    Columbia, SC 29201

    South Dakota Department of Education
    700 Governors Drive
    Pierre, SD 57501-2291

    Tennessee State Department of Education
    Andrew Johnson Tower, Sixth Floor
    710 James Robertson Parkway
    Nashville, TN 37243-0375

    Texas Education Agency
    William B. Travis Building
    1701 North Congress Avenue
    Austin, TX 78701-1439

    Utah State Office of Education
    250 East 500 South
    P.O. Box 144200
    Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200

    Vermont Department of Education
    120 State Street
    Montpelier, VT 05620-2501

    Virginia Department of Education
    P.O. Box 2120
    James Monroe Building
    101 North 14th Street
    Richmond, VA 23218-2120

    Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
    Old Capitol Building
    600 South Washington
    P.O. Box 47200
    Olympia, WA 98504-7200

    West Virginia Department of Education
    Building 6, Room 358
    1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
    Charleston, WV 25305-0330

    Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
    125 South Webster Street
    P.O. Box 7841
    Madison, WI 53707-7841

    Wyoming Department of Education
    Hathaway Building
    Second Floor
    2300 Capitol Avenue
    Cheyenne, WY 82002-0050

    Guam Public School System
    P.O. Box DE
    Hagatna, GU 96932

    Puerto Rico Department of Education
    P.O. Box 190759
    San Juan, PR 00919-0759

    Virgin Islands Department of Education
    44-46 Kongens Gade
    Charlotte Amalie, VI 00802

    Job Search

    The Office of Career Development & Engagement connects students, alumni, and employers. Whether you’re exploring majors, looking for a job, or recruiting top talent, they're available to help.

    It is suggested that you include recommendations from a major instructor and your Experienced Mentor Teacher(s). Requesting recommendations should be done before you graduate, as people sometimes relocate or retire, making it difficult to obtain them later. It is also suggested that you keep your file up to date by periodically adding recommendations from your employer.

    Check out the Office of Career Development & Engagement's webpage for more details >>

    Certification Map

    Certification Map is a comprehensive resource for teacher certification information. It provides state specific information on how to become a teacher, teacher salaries, teaching credentials, teacher certification tests, alternative teacher certification, and teaching certificate reciprocity. Their aim is to provide all the information necessary to become a teacher no matter where you live.

    Visit the Certification Map website >>

    Right to Read Act Statement by EPP

    Act 1063 of 2017, the Right to Read Act, states: “Beginning no later than the 2022-2023 school year, each state-approved educator preparation program shall post on its website information describing its program to prepare teachers to teach reading using scientific reading instruction aligned with but not limited to the content measured by the stand-alone reading assessment adopted by the State Board of Education under § 6-17-402.”

    Candidates enrolled in Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education K-12 programs must complete coursework and pass the Foundations of Reading test to be considered proficient in scientific reading instruction to obtain a license.

    Candidates enrolled in all other licensure area programs must complete the coursework to be considered awareness level in scientific reading instruction to obtain a license.

    In 2019, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education approved Arkansas State University pathways to meet this requirement. The pathways are aligned to the appropriate Foundations of Reading Competencies – Proficiency Level or Foundations of Reading Competencies – Awareness Level.

    DESE – Approved Course/Modules lists approved courses/modules for all approved licensure programs in Arkansas.