Professional Education Programs
- PEP Staff
- Professional Education Programs Calendars
- Traditional Undergraduate Calendar for Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
- Online Undergraduate Calendar for Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
- MAT Calendar for Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
- Teacher Education Program Handbooks
- Admission to the Teacher Education Program
- Part 1 - AELS Background Check
- Part 2 - Verification of GPA and Courses
- Part 3 - Screening Interview
- Part 4 - Required Documents for Admission
- Part 5 - Technology Survey
- Part 6 - Online Application for Admission
- Licensure
- About Licensure
- First-Time Arkansas Teaching Licensure Application Process
- Master of Arts in Teaching and Pre-K Academy Provisional License Process
- Program of Study
- School Counseling First Time Licensure
- Adding Additional Teaching Area to Current Arkansas Licensure
- Adding Additional Teaching Area to Current Out-of-State Licensure
- Applying for Arkansas Administrator Licensure
- Applying for Out-of-State Administrator Licensure
- State Departments of Education
- Job Search
- Certification Map
- Right to Read Act Statement by EPP
- PEP FAQs
PEP Staff
Professional Education Programs Calendars
All Education majors will meet with the Professional Education Program office at certain points. These calendars have respective meeting days for Traditional (on-campus) students, Online Elementary and Special Education Students, and MAT students.
Pre-Teacher Meeting - attend the semester before the Residency 1 course
Intent - attend while enrolled in the Residency 1 course
Orientation - attend at the beginning of the Residency 1 & 2 semesters
Seminar - attend while enrolled in the Residency 2 course
Exit - attend at the end of the Residency 2 semester
Traditional Undergraduate Calendar for Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
This calendar is for traditional (in-person) Capstone and Residency undergraduate students for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.
Click FY 26-27 Traditional Undergraduate to download a PDF copy. (Recommended)
| August 7, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Residency II Orientation All undergraduate students in Residency II for Fall 2026. |
| August 18, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Residency I & Capstone Orientation All Campuses, all undergraduate Fall 2026 Residency I & Capstone Intern students 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Location: TBD) |
| August 20, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Residency I, Residency II, & Capstone Teacher Interns First day of teaching internship for all ELED, Secondary 7-12, and K-12 Education majors. Check with your Mentor Teacher for your report time. |
| October 14, 2026 |
Fall 2027-Spring 2028 Residency Information Session - Mid-South Campus Time - TBD (Location: In person) |
| October 15, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Residency II & Capstone Teacher Intern Seminar - ALL Campuses All Undergraduate Elementary, Secondary 7-12 and K-12 Education majors join an in-person meeting at Arkansas State University (Exact location TBD) 8:30 am – 12:00 pm & rejoin the in-person session from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm |
| October 20, 2026 |
Fall 2027-Spring 2028 Residency Information Session- Beebe Campus Time- TBD (Location: In person)
|
| October 27, 2026 |
Fall 2027-Spring 2028 Residency Information Session- Mountain Home Campus Time- TBD (Location: In person) |
| November 14, 2026 |
Intent to Graduate Application due for Fall 2026 Commencement If you are graduating December 2026, you must fill out the intent to graduate form. This is required whether you are walking at commencement or not! |
| December 3, 2026 |
Fall 2026 All Residency I, Residency II, & Capstone Teacher Interns Last full day of teaching internship for all teacher interns *Note any make-up days need to be made after this date. |
| December 4, 2026 |
Study Day |
| December 7, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Residency II & Capstone Teacher Interns - Exit Evaluation Evaluation of Teaching Internship Experiences for Elementary, Middle Level, Secondary 7-12, and K-12 Education majors. Specific time schedules for each group are TBD. You will be notified of your time by email. Location: via TEAMS |
| December 12, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Commencement Ceremony See the Commencement Website for specific times for all majors |
| December 12, 2026 |
Degree Conferral Date Please note that this is the date that will be printed on your transcript and diploma. It will not be until the end of January for this date to be conferred on your degree, so please wait until then to apply for licensure. |
| December 14, 2026 |
Fall 2026 All Teacher Interns Final Grades due at 12:00 pm (noon) for all graduating teacher interns (Elementary, Middle Level, Secondary 7-12, and K-12) must be posted by University Supervisors. |
| January 8, 2027 |
Spring 2026 Residentcy II Undergraduate Teacher Intern Orientation – All Campuses Elementary, Middle Level, Special Education, Secondary, and K-12 Education majors 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and report back from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Location: TBD |
| January 11, 2027 |
Spring 2026 Residency II Teacher Interns First day of teaching internship for all Elementary, Middle Level, Secondary 7-12, and K-12 Education majors. Check with your Mentor Teacher for your report time. |
| February 11, 2027 |
Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 Pre-Residency Resident Check Form Meetings This meeting will include all Mountain Home, Beebe, and Mid-South Students (OFF CAMPUS STUDENTS ONLY) Elementary, Middle Level Education majors 10:30 am Location: TEAMS meeting |
| February 16, 2027 |
Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 Jonesboro Pre-Residency Resident Check Form Meetings Secondary 7-12 and K-12 Education majors - 4:30 pm Location: TBD |
| February 17, 2027 |
Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 Jonesboro Pre-Residency Resident Check Form Meetings Elementary, Middle Level Education majors - 4:30 pm Location: TBD |
| March 8, 2027 |
Pre-Residency Forms Due All Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 Residents, submit pre-residency forms to Canvas – PEP Intern Information |
| March 16, 2027 |
Spring 2027 Residency II Teacher Intern Seminar - All Campuses All Undergraduate Elementary, Middle Level, Secondary 7-12, and K-12 Education majors join an in-person meeting Location: TBD |
| March 16, 2027 |
Career Fair All education students are invited! |
| April 9, 2027 |
Intent to Graduate Application due for Spring 2027 Commencement If you are graduating May 2-27, you must fill out the intent to graduate form. This is required whether you are walking at commencement or not! |
| April 29, 2027 |
Spring 2027 Residency II Teacher Interns Last full day of teaching internship for all teacher interns. *Note any make-up days need to be made after this date. |
| April 30, 2027 |
Study Day |
| May 3 & 4, 2027 |
Spring 2027 Residency II Teacher Interns - Exit Evaluation Evaluation of Teaching Internship Experiences for all Elementary, Middle Level, Special Education, Secondary 7-12, and K-12 Education majors. Specific time schedules for each group are TBD, and you will be notified by email. Location: via TEAMS |
| May 8, 2027 | Spring 2027 Commencement Ceremony
See the Commencement Website for specific times for all majors |
| May 8, 2027 | Degree Conferral Date
Please note that this is the date that will be printed on your transcript and diploma. It will take a minimum of 4 weeks for this date to be conferred on your degree, so please wait until then to apply for licensure. |
| May 10, 2027 |
Spring 2027 All Teacher Interns Final Grades due at 12:00 pm (noon) for all graduating teacher interns (Elementary, Middle Level, Special Education, Secondary 7-12, and K-12) must be posted by University Supervisors. |
Online Undergraduate Calendar for Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
This calendar is for all Online Undergraduate Residency I & II Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education K-12 majors for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.
Click FY 26-27 Online Undergraduate to download a PDF copy. (Recommended)
| August 17, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Residency I Orientation All Residency I Online Undergraduate Elementary and Special Education majors 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Location: via TEAMS |
| August 19, 2026 |
Fall 2025 Residency I & II Teacher Interns First day of teaching internship for all education majors. Check with your Mentor Teacher for your report time. |
| October 7, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Residency I Seminar All Residency I Online Undergraduate Elementary and Special Education majors 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: via TEAMS
|
| November 10, 2026 |
Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 - Residency Informational Meetings Online Undergraduate Elementary and Special Education majors. 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Location: via TEAMS |
| November 14, 2026 |
Intent to Graduate Application due for Fall 2026 Commencement If you are graduating December 2026, you must fill out the intent to graduate form. This is required whether you are walking at commencement or not! |
| December 3, 2026 |
Fall 2026 All Teacher Interns Last full day of Residency I & II for all education majors |
| December 4, 2026 | Study Day |
| December 7, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Residency II Teacher Interns – Exit Evaluation Evaluation of Teaching Internship Experiences for all Education majors. Specific time schedules for each group are TBD. Location: via TEAMS |
| December 13, 2025 |
Fall 2026 Commencement Ceremony See the Commencement Website for specific times for all majors |
| December 13, 2025 |
Degree Conferral Date Please note that this is the date that will be printed on your transcript and diploma. It will not be until the end of January for this date to be conferred on your degree, so please wait until then to apply for licensure. |
| January 7, 2027 |
Spring 2027 Residency II Seminar All Residency II Online Elementary and Special Education majors 9:00 am -12:00 pm |
| January 11, 2027 |
Spring 2027 Residency II Teacher Interns First day of Residency II for all Elementary and Special Education majors. Check with your Mentor Teacher for your report time. |
| February 9, 2027 |
Fall 2027 Residency I Online Undergraduate Pre-Residency Intern Check Form Meetings Elementary Education - 3:30 p.m. Location: via TEAMS |
| February 10, 2027 |
Fall 2027 Residency I Online Undergraduate Pre-Residency Intern Check Form Meetings Special Education - 3:30 p.m. Location: via TEAMS |
| March 3, 2027 |
Fall 2027 Residency I Online Elementary Education and Special Education Pre-Residency forms due. Submit to Canvas - PEP Intern Information Online. |
| March 11, 2027 |
Spring 2027 Online Elementary Education and Special Education - Licensure Seminar 4:00 - 5:30 pm Location: via TEAMS |
| March 16, 2027 |
Education Career Fair All online undergraduate Elementary and Special Education majors are invited to attend the Education Career Fair at the Cooper Alumni Center on A-State’s campus from 10:00 am – 12:00pm |
| April 9, 2027 |
Intent to Graduate Application due for May 2027 Commencement |
| April 29, 2027 |
Spring 2027 All Teacher Interns Last full day of Residency II for Elementary and Special Education majors |
| April 30, 2027 | Study Day |
| May 3 & 4, 2027 |
Spring 2027 Rersidency II Teacher Interns – Exit Evaluation Evaluation of Teaching Internship Experiences for all Education majors. Specific time schedules for each group are TBD. Location: via TEAMS |
| May 8, 2027 |
Spring 2027 Commencement Ceremony See the Commencement Website for specific times for all majors |
| May 8, 2026 |
Degree Conferral Date Please note that this is the date that will be printed on your transcript and diploma. It will be 4 - 8 weeks for this date to be conferred on your degree, so please wait until then to apply for licensure. |
| May 10, 2027 |
Spring 2027 All Teacher Interns Final Grades due at 12:00 pm/noon for all graduating teacher interns must be posted by University Supervisors. |
MAT Calendar for Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
This calendar is for Capstone and Residency I & II students in the Elementary, Middle Level, Business, Art, and Special Education Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs and the Certificate for PreK Academy program for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.
Click FY 26-27 Calendar MAT & PreK to download a PDF copy. (Recommended)
| July 23, 2026 |
Fall 2026 MAT Capstone, Residency I, and PreK Academy Orientation All Prek Academy and MAT Art, Business, Elementary Education, Middle-Level Education, and Special Education majors 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and report back from 1:00 – 3:30 pm. Location: via TEAMS |
| August 19, 2026 |
Fall 2026 MAT Capstone, Residency I, and PreK Academy Interns First day of teaching internship for all PreK Academy and MAT Education majors. Check with your Mentor Teacher for your report time. |
| October 13, 2026 |
Fall 2026 MAT Capstone Interns Seminar All CAPSTONE MAT Art, Business, Elementary, Mid-Level, and Special Education majors 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: via TEAMS |
| October 13, 2026 |
Fall 2026 MAT and PreK Academy Residency I Seminar All RESIDENCY I PreK Academy and MAT Art, Business, Elementary, Mid-Level, and Special Education majors 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: via TEAMS |
| November 13, 2026 |
Intent to Graduate Application due for Fall 2026 Commencement If you are graduating December 2026, you must fill out the intent to graduate form. This is required whether you are walking at commencement or not! |
| December 3, 2026 |
Fall 2026 MAT Capstone, Residency I, and PreK Academy Interns Last full day of teaching internship for all MAT and PreK Academy Teacher Interns. |
| December 4, 2026 |
Study Day |
| December 7, 2026 |
Fall 2026 MAT Capstone Teacher Interns Exit Evaluation and Evaluation of Teaching Internship Experiences for all MAT Capstone Elementary, Middle Level, Business, Art, and Special Education majors. Specific time schedules for each group are TBD. You will be notified of your time by email. Location: via TEAMS |
| December 12, 2026 |
Fall 2026 Commencement Ceremony See the Commencement Website for specific times for all majors |
| December 12, 2026 |
Degree Conferral Date Please note that this is the date that will be printed on your transcript and diploma. It will not be until the end of January for this date to be conferred on your degree, so please wait until then to apply for licensure. |
| January 7, 2027 |
Spring 2027 MAT and PreK Academy Residency II Orientation All PreK Academy and MAT Art, Business, Elementary Education, Middle-Level Education, and Special Education (K-12) majors 8:30 am - 12:00 pm and report back from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Location: via TEAMS |
| January 11, 2027 |
Spring 2027 MAT & Pre-K Academy Residents First day of Residency II for all majors. Check with your Mentor Teacher for your report time. |
| February 11, 2027 |
Fall 2027- Spring 2028 MAT & Pre-K Academy Pre- Residency Meeting This meeting is for all MAT and PreK Academy students who plan to start Residency I in Fall of 2027 and Residency II in Spring 2028. 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Location: via TEAMS |
| February 18, 2027 |
Fall 2027- Spring 2028 MAT & Pre-K Academy Pre- Residency Meeting This meeting is for all MAT and PreK Academy students who plan to start Residency I in Fall of 2027 and Residency II in Spring 2028. 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Location: via TEAMS |
| March 2, 2027 |
Fall 2027- Spring 2028 MAT & Pre-K Academy Interns Pre-Residency Intent forms due Submit to Canvas - PEP Intern Information MAT |
| March 9, 2027 |
Spring 2027 MAT and PreK Academy Residency II Seminar All RESIDENCY II PreK Academy and MAT Art, Business, Elementary, Mid-Level, and Special Education majors 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: via TEAMS |
| April 9, 2027 |
Intent to Graduate Application due for Spring 2027 Commencement If you are graduating May 2027, you must fill out the intent to graduate form. This is required whether you are walking at commencement or not! |
| April 29, 2027 |
Spring 2027 PreK Academy and MAT Residency II Last full day of Residency II for all PreK Academy and MAT Teacher Interns. |
| April 30, 2027 |
Study Day |
| May 3-4, 2027 |
Spring 2027 PreK Academy and MAT Residency II Exit Evaluation and Evaluation of Teaching Internship Experiences for all PreK Academy and MAT Elementary, Middle Level, Business, Art, and Special Education majors. Specific time schedules for each group are TBD. You will be notified of your time by email. Location: via TEAMS |
| May 8, 2027 |
Spring 2027 Commencement Ceremony See the Commencement Website for specific times for all majors |
| May 8, 2027 |
Degree Conferral Date Please note that this is the date that will be printed on your transcript and diploma. It will be 4 - 8 weeks for this date to be conferred on your degree, so please wait until then to apply for licensure. |
Teacher Education Program Handbooks
Theses handbooks are to help students navigate the rules and regulations of the Teacher Education Program from admittance to Residency.
Teacher Intern Handbook
This Handbook is prepared for the information and assistance of teacher education candidates at Arkansas State University. The policies and practices presented herein supersede all previous revisions.
This handbook is one way of communicating the policies, procedures, and roles/responsibilities of teacher interns, clinical supervisors/mentor teachers, and university supervisors. The purpose of this handbook is to strengthen the teaching internship experience for all stakeholders.
Residency Handbook
Undergraduate Residency Handbook 2026-27
Graduate Residency Handbook 2026-27
The year-long residency is an integral component of the teacher education program and crucial to the preparation of future
teachers. This handbook is one way of communicating the policies, procedures, and roles/responsibilities of residents, EMTs,
and USs. The purpose of this handbook is to strengthen the residency experience for all program stakeholders.
The handbook provides resident-specific policies and procedures; however, this is not an exhaustive list. Arkansas State University (A-State) Residents are acting as school district employees and must adhere to all district policies.
Failure to meet expectations, as outlined in the Residency Handbook, including excessive absences, may disqualify a Resident from meeting the requirements of this program and, therefore, will prevent the Resident from obtaining an Arkansas teaching license. Residents may request special consideration for extenuating circumstances from the Residency Coordinator and the A-State Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) as needed.
Admission to the Teacher Education Program
All Teacher Education majors must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program through the Professional Education Programs office.
Candidates may not enroll in designated professional education courses—marked with an asterisk in the Undergraduate Bulletin—until they are formally admitted to the teacher education program. Once the Professional Education Programs Director approves the application, candidates will receive an official email notification.
Admission does not guarantee continued enrollment; candidates must meet all retention checkpoints and demonstrate ongoing academic proficiency, moral responsibility, emotional stability, and professional growth.
After completion of all requirements, everything will be reviewed by the Professional Education Programs office. If any part is missing, the student will receive an email stating the missing requirements. If all documentation is accounted for, the student will receive an official acceptance letter via email.
Part 1 - AELS Background Check
All candidates seeking admission to an initial licensure program must complete all parts of the background check process as a condition of admission. This process can take 3-4 weeks to complete. Begin this process early to avoid delaying acceptance into the teacher education program.
Click Admission and Licensure Background Checks to download a PDF copy of detailed background check instructions.
Step 1 - Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check
- Generate your Central Registry Check form.
- Sign your form.
- Upload your signed form HERE, or use the link provided in your email.
- Pay the processing fee.
Step 2 - Online Background Check Consent Form
- Reason for Background Check - Teacher (Pre-Service)
- Employer - IHE with EPP: Arkansas State University
- Complete personal information
- Sign and print copy to bring to your fingerprinting appointment
Step 3 - Background Check Payment
- Complete personal information
- Requesting School - ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
- Verification Code - 8800002
- Reason Fingerprinted - EDP Teacher (Pre-Service)
- Complete payment and print the receipt to bring to your fingerprinting appointment
Step 4 - List of Approved Live Scan Locations
The list provided is of approved fingerprinting locations by the Arkansas Department of Education. It is highly recommended you use one on the list to ensure efficient processing.
You must call the location in advance to make an appointment, and you will bring the following items with you: Online Background Check Consent Form, Background Check Payment Receipt, Government-issued ID (ex. Driver’s License)
Step 5 - Verify Your Background Check is Approved
- Login to your account on the AELS system.
- Select View current license information
- Check for cleared dates under the Non-Criminal Background Information (NCBC) section
Please allow four weeks for the background clearance status to be determined before contacting the Arkansas Department of Education.
Part 2 - Verification of GPA and Courses
Undergraduates
All undergraduate students must attain a minimum overall GPA of 2.70 and complete at least 30 semester hours.
All of the following courses are required with a grade C or better:
- ENG 1003 Composition I
- ENG 1013 Composition II
- SCOM 1203 Oral Communication (or a Speech Proficiency if this course is not required in your degree)
- MATH 1023 College Algebra/MATH 1043 Quantitative Reasoning/STAT 2003 Introduction to Statistics
- Introduction to Education (specific to degree/department)
Master of Arts in Teaching
All MAT students must attain a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 and complete at least 3 semester hours.
Special Education MAT students must complete ELSE 5003 SPED Academy 101.
Elementary, Middle Level, Business, and Art MAT students must complete one 3-hour program-approved course.
Part 3 - Screening Interview
Students must appear for a personal interview with their Department Screening Committee.
Special Education MAT students will complete an interview in the course SPED 55003. Elementary, Mid-Level, Art, and Business MAT students will complete an interview in the course CIED61303.
Each program will hold interviews at certain times each semester. It is very important that students keep an eye out for any correspondence from faculty and advisors about interview dates.
*Some programs may need to contact the Program Coordinator directly to schedule an interview.
For more information, please contact your respective Program Coordinator.
All students will be required to fill out a Signature Verification Page to bring to their interview.
Please see below for your respective program's Signature Verification Page (you should receive this from whoever you schedule your interview with). You will only complete the top portion and sign and date on the Applicant's Signature line.
- Elementary, Mid-Level, Art, & Business MAT Signature Verification Page
- Special Education MAT Signature Verification Page
- BSE Special Education Signature Verification Page
- BSE Elementary, Mid-Level, & Secondary Majors Signature Verification Page
- PreK Academy Certificate Signature Verification Page
After the interview, the Signature Verification Page must be signed by the Department Chair and turned in to the Professional Education Programs office in room 213 in the College of Education and Behavioral Science. Please ask your Department Screening Committee if you need to turn it in directly or if they will do it on your behalf.
Program Coordinators
- Special Education MAT - Dr. Eric Gotte
- Elementary, Mid-Level, Art, & Business MAT - Dr. Mitch Mathis
- Pre-K Academy - Dr. Denise Strickland
- Jonesboro Campus Elementary and Middle-Level BSE -
- Beebe Campus Elementary and Middle-Level BSE - Ms. Kristen Angel
- Mid-South Campus Elementary and Middle-Level BSE - Dr. Chad Martin
- Mt. Home Campus Elementary and Middle-Level BSE - Ms. Rita Williams
- Online Elementary BSE -
- Online Special Education BSE - Dr. Jessie King
- Agriculture Education - Dr. Nina Crutchfield
- Art Education - Dr. Susan Whiteland
- English Education - Dr. Rob Lamm
- World Languages (Spanish) - Dr. Ruth Owens
- Mathematics - Dr. Lisa Rice
- Instrumental Music Education - Dr. Andrew Bohn
- Vocal Music Education - Dr. Marques Ruff
- Health/Physical Education - Dr. Valarie Hilson
- History/Social Studies - Dr. Wesley Jackson
Part 4 - Required Documents for Admission
ArkansasIDEAS Ethics Certificate
All students must complete the following course on ArkansasIDEAS: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018) Course # ERC19048
- Create an account on ArkansasIDEAS (you must have started your background check to create an account)
- Click Find Learning, and search for the course ERC19048
- Click Enroll me
- After completing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion. Save the certificate to your files to upload to the online admission application.
Educator Dispositions Self-Assessment (EDA)
All students must complete and turn in a self-assessment.
The EDA is a self-evaluation completed by the student about themself. Teacher candidates will be made aware of the dispositions and expectations regarding them upon being admitted to the teacher education program. In addition, professional behaviors and dispositions are assessed at various points in the program.
After completing the EDA self-assessment, save a copy to your files to upload to the online admission application.
Part 5 - Technology Survey
All students must complete the Admission Technology Checkpoint Requirement.
Click the link above to complete the survey that examines pre-service teachers' perceptions of their understanding of technological, content, and pedagogical knowledge. The data collected in this survey will be used to assess the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) of teacher interns at the time of admission.
Part 6 - Online Application for Admission
All students must submit an Online Application for Admission
To complete this application, you will be required to upload the following documents:
- Educator Dispositions Self-Assessment
- Certificate of completion of the Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018) Course #ERC19048 from ArkansasIDEAS
Completion of the Online Application for Admission does not guarantee admission. Applicants must complete all admission requirements to be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program.
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
- Log in to the AELS website.
- Select Apply for a Standard License (Even if you are applying for a Provisional License*)
- Select First-time Licensure (recent graduate from an Arkansas institution)
- Select Arkansas State University
- 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.
*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:
- Be continually enrolled and in good standing in the program
- Maintain employment at the school for which the provisional license was issued
- Meet the requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education
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.
- Provisional License Recommendation form for Master of Arts in Teaching Program
- Provisional License Recommendation form for Pre-K Academy Certificate Program
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
- Go to http://ideaslms.aetn.org/login/index.php
- To register, click, "Create New Account." You will be taken to the registration form.
- Follow the quick start instructions from there, and you should be able to register and take courses.
- 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
- Log-on at https://aels.ade.arkansas.gov/AELS/Account/TeacherLogin.aspx
- Select Apply for a Provisional License
- Select Provisional Non-Traditional MAT
- Select Arkansas State University
All documents listed above must be emailed to Mrs. Woolard in order to proceed
- Provisional License Recommendation
- Ethics Training Verification Form
- Record of Learning from ArkansasIDEAS
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
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).
- Praxis School Counselor exam
- One of the following Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exams:
- Praxis PLT: Early Childhood - 5621
- Praxis PLT: Grades K-6 - 5622
- Praxis PLT: Grades 5-9 - 5623
- Praxis PLT: Grades 7-12 - 5624
- Praxis PLT: Grades PreK-12 - 5625
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.
- Log in to the AELS website.
- Select Apply for a Standard License
- Select First-time Licensure (recent graduate from an Arkansas institution)
- Select Arkansas State University
- 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 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:
- Out-of-State Verification/Recommendation Form
- This form will come from your respective state. Please complete any required applicant information and sign, if applicable.
- If you cannot find this form online, please call your state’s department of education.
- 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.
- Contact Information
- Please include a note with the following information:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Address
- Phone Number
- Personal Email
- Please include a note with the following information:
- Praxis School Counselor and PLT Score Reports
- 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.
- 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.
- NOTE: Some states have their own route to sending official transcripts. You may need to contact your state’s department of education to find out this information.
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:
- Reading Specialist K-12
- Dyslexia K-12
- Gifted and Talented K-12
- Guidance and Counseling K-12
- Special Education K-12
- Adult Education
- Speech Language Pathology K-12
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
- Log on to the AELS website.
- Select Add an Area to My License
- Select By Program of Study
- Select Arkansas State University under Educator Preparation Program
- Select the appropriate licensure area from the drop-down menu next to Area to Add and click Add Area
- 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:
- Arkansas Adult Education Licensure Checklist
- Arkansas Gifted & Talented Licensure Checklist
- Arkansas Reading-Dyslexia Licensure Checklist
- Arkansas Special Education Licensure Checklist
- Arkansas School Counseling Licensure Checklist
- Arkansas Speech Language Pathology 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
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:
- Reading Specialist K-12 (*if you are licensed in Georgia, please contact me directly)
- Dyslexia K-12
- Gifted and Talented K-12
- Guidance and Counseling K-12
- Special Education K-12
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
- Out-of-State Verification/Recommendation Form
- This form will come from your respective state. Please complete any required applicant information and sign, if applicable.
- If you cannot find this form online, please call your state’s department of education.
- 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
- Contact Information
- Please include a note with the following information:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Address
- Phone Number
- Personal Email
- Please include a note with the following information:
- Praxis Score Report
- 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.
- Applicants seeking Special Education K-12 licensure must also pass the Foundations of Reading exam.
- Teaching License
- 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.
- NOTE: Some states have their own route to sending official transcripts. You may need to contact your state’s department of education to find out this information.
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:
- Reading-Dyslexia Out of State Licensure Checklist
- Gifted & Talented Out of State Licensure Checklist
- School Counseling Out of State Licensure Checklist
- Special Education 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
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.
- 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).
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
- Log on to the AELS website
- Select Add an Area to My License
- Select By Program of Study
- Select Arkansas State University under Educator Preparation Program
- Select the number that corresponds to the license you wish to add
- 276 – Build Level Admin: P-12
- 277 – District Administrator P-12
- 278 – Curr/Prog Admin (GT): P-12 for Gifted & Talented Director
- 280 – Curriculum Prog Adm/Curriculum: P-12 for Curriculum and Instruction
- 282 – Curr/Prog Admin (Spec Ed): P-12 for Special Education Director
- Click Continue
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:
- Building-Level Administrator (Principal)
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Special Education Director
- Gifted & Talented Director
- District-Level Administrator (Superintendent)
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
- Out-of-State Verification/Recommendation Form
- This form will come from your respective state. Please complete any required applicant information and sign, if applicable.
- If you cannot find this form online, please call your state’s department of education.
- 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
- Contact Information
- Please include a note with the following information:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Address
- Phone Number
- Personal Email
- Please include a note with the following information:
- 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).
- Teaching License
- 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.
- NOTE: Some states have their own route to sending official transcripts. You may need to contact your state’s department of education to find out this information.
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.
PEP FAQs
This is a list of commonly asked questions and answers