First-Time Arkansas Teaching Licensure Application Process

Before beginning this process, ensure you have completed all other requirements and have graduated.

There is a $75 fee for obtaining a standard license in Arkansas. If you are applying for a provisional license in Arkansas, there is no fee. However, you will still be required to pay the $75 fee. When you convert your Provisional license to a Standard license, the $75 fee will then be credited to your account.

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

Application Process

1. Log into the AELS website.
2. 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.

Part 1 – Background Check Information

The system may skip this section if your background checks are current and approved.

• If the system does not indicate that your background checks are completed, mark Yes to indicatefor each isone.
completed.
• Tick the box to indicate that you acknowledge that all coursework must be documented by providing original college transcripts.
  • All official A-State transcripts must be requested and sent electronically from the Registrar’s Office to the Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (ADESE), NOT the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Please be sure you have no holds so that you are able tocan request a transcript. You willcan enter the email address for the Arkansas Department of Education, ade.educatorlicensure@ade.arkansas.gov, to send it from A-State to ADESE. IfYou must send official transcripts from any institution you didhave NOTgraduated receivefrom.
  your
  Bachelor’s
degree from A-State, please send an official transcript with a Bachelor’s degree awarded from an accredited institution from which the degree was received. 
• After this section is complete, click Continue.

Part 2 – Profile Information

• Review your profile information. Use the Update button if you need to to make any changes. Be sure to click Save if you make changes.

• In the Contact section, you must have a current mailing address and at least one primary email and one primary phone number. Please do not provide an email thataddress you check often; do not use your A-State email account.

• Update your employment information if necessary.

• Tick the box to indicate all information is correct.

• After this section is complete, click Continue.

Part 3 - Application Information

• Complete the application information by accurately responding to the questions.

• Type your first and last name to serve as your electronic signature.

• After this section is complete, click Submit.

Part 4 - Fee Payment

If your fee is already paid, the system will indicate that no fee is necessary.

• If prompted, click Make Payment and enter your payment information.

• Click Confirm, review your information, and click SUBMIT.

• Print receipt.

• Click Continue License Application.

Your license application has been submitted when you see the message “Your license application has been successfully submitted.”

AfterOnce your application has been successfully submitted, yourMrs. applicationSara Woolard, Educator Licensure Specialist at Arkansas State University, will bereview reviewedfor andconfirmation eitherof approvedrecommendation or denied byfrom Dr. Bowser.Mary IfElizabeth approved,Spence, yourthe applicationProfessional willLicensure moveOfficer. This review process could take from 1 to 14 days, depending on to athe licensure counselorworkload. at the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). If denied, youYou will receive an email statingfrom why.Mrs. YouWoolard mayif beanything requiredis missing to submitapprove additionalyour documentation. If denied, you will be required to start the online educator licensure application process again.recommendation.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the process above, the following items are required to apply for a standard teaching license:

Praxis Score Report

Be sure when taking all Praxis exams to have scores submitted for all Praxis exams to Arkansas State University (Code 6011) and to the Arkansas Department of Education.Education (Code 7031). You will not submit a paper copy of your score report unless requested to do so.

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.

Professional Development

Course Name	Hours	Course ID
Child Maltreatment Training	2 hours	ERB21002 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	ERB18063ERB18062
Arkansas History*	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

*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.

Include a copy of the Record of Learning: CoursesLearning from ArkansasIDEAS as documentation of completion of the professional development required for initial licensure. MAT applicants must also submit the Ethics Verification Form. 

You will submit this to the PEP Office via Canvas or via request by email request from Mrs. Woolard.

Registration Process for ArkansasIDEAS

1. Visit the ArkansasIDEAS website.
2. To register, click, "Create New Account." You will be taken to the registration form. You must have started a background check on the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS) in order to make an account.
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 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.

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. If you have questions about background checks contact Clara Toney at the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) at clara.toney@arkansas.gov or 501-682-4342.

Check clearance of central registry and criminal background checks >>

Scientific Reading Instruction

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 licensure areas meet the requirement for the Science of Reading Prescribed Pathway for Awareness to receive a standard license.

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, contact Mrs. Sara Woolard at swoolard@astate.eduedu. or 870-972-2099.

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

At A-State, your graduation checklist identifies the areas in which you are qualified to seek licensure. For example, many physical education majors have completed a program that will qualify them for licensure in physical education and coaching. Obtain initial licensure in all areas in which you are qualified. Talk with your advisor or department chair if you have questions. Areas for licensure can be added later, but it requires completing another online application, etc. Apply for and secure your license as soon as possible. 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 seeking licensure out-of-state. If you want to be licensed in other states, you must contact the state,state or check theits state’s web sitewebsite for anlicensure application.requirements. Follow the instructions, which willmay include a recommendation from A- State. Send these completed out-of-state applications to Dr.Mrs. Audrey BowserWoolard at the address below.

Questions Regarding Licensure

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. AudreyMary BowserElizabeth Spence
Professional Licensure Officer
abowser@AState.mspence@AState.edu
870-972-2099