How to Become a Teacher in Arkansas: Tests, Fees and Routes

By the Transforming Education editorial team. Every fact on this page was checked against the source linked beside it on November 7, 2026.

No degree yet: the traditional route

For high school students, college students and anyone without a bachelor's degree. You earn the degree and the teacher preparation in one program.

Traditional educator preparation program

Candidates without a bachelor's degree follow a traditional pathway by completing an approved educator preparation program at an Arkansas college or university. Completers pass the Praxis and Foundations of Reading assessments required for their licensure area, clear the required background checks and apply for a Standard license online through the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS).

1. Enroll in an approved educator preparation program at an Arkansas college or university.
2. Pass the Praxis and Foundations of Reading assessments required for your licensure area.
3. Complete the Arkansas State Police, FBI and Child Maltreatment Central Registry background checks.
4. Apply for a Standard license online through AELS and pay the application fee.

Source: dese.ade.arkansas.gov

Bachelor's in another field: the alternative route

For people who already hold a bachelor's degree in a subject other than education.

Alternative Pathways to Licensure

Arkansas lists several alternative routes for people who already hold a bachelor's degree, and most let candidates work as teacher of record while meeting licensure requirements. Options include the state-run Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP), American Board (ABCTE), Arkansas Teacher Corps, iteach, Teach For America, the Provisional Professional Teaching License and master's degree programs (MAT, MEd, MTLL) that lead to a first license. Most routes require passing the Praxis subject assessment and clearing background checks before or early in the program, and each route excludes certain licensure areas.

1. Hold a bachelor's degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution.
2. Choose an alternative pathway that covers your licensure area.
3. Pass the Praxis subject assessment for your subject and grade level.
4. Clear the required background checks.
5. Secure a teaching position and teach under a provisional license while completing the pathway.
6. Earn the Standard license after meeting the pathway's completion requirements.

Source: dese.ade.arkansas.gov

Changing careers into teaching in Arkansas

If you already have a bachelor's degree and some years in another job, start with the alternative route described above. It is built for people who did not study education. The 5 programs below are on the state's approved list, and 2 of them say their coursework is online.

For pay context, the median annual wage for high school teachers in Arkansas was $59,660 in May 2025, according to the BLS OEWS state estimates. If your background matches a subject on the state's shortage list, that list is further down this page.

State-approved alternative certification programs

Programs shown are a selection from the state's approved list, checked November 7, 2026. "Online" reflects what the program or the state says about its coursework; teaching practice is always in a real school. The full, current list is on the agency's approved-program page.

Licensed in another state

For teachers who hold a license from another state and want to teach in Arkansas.

Licensure by Reciprocity

Arkansas recognizes teaching licenses from other states or countries under its licensure rules and the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but an out-of-state license does not guarantee an Arkansas license. Applicants submit an online application with a $75 nonrefundable fee, official transcripts, a copy of an out-of-state license in good standing for their three most recent years of teaching, and any content tests required for that license. Foundations of Reading is required for K-6 Elementary, K-12 Special Education and P-4 Early Childhood, and a Provisional license is available when only content testing or Arkansas History remains.

1. Email the Office of Educator Licensure to request a reciprocity packet.
2. Start the state, FBI and Child Maltreatment background checks.
3. Submit the online application with the $75 nonrefundable fee.
4. Provide official transcripts, your out-of-state license and the Verification of Teaching Experience form.
5. Submit Foundations of Reading results if licensing in K-6 Elementary, K-12 Special Education or P-4 Early Childhood.
6. Complete Arkansas History if your licensure area requires it.

Source: dese.ade.arkansas.gov

Required tests, codes and qualifying scores

Arkansas uses Praxis and NES Foundations of Reading for teacher licensure. The table lists the core tests by license area, with the qualifying score and fee exactly as the source publishes them. Which tests you take depends on the license area you are seeking, so check the full list for your subject before you register.

Scores and fees change. Confirm both on the testing company's page before you register.

Fees, background check and license validity

Background check

Arkansas State Police, FBI and Child Maltreatment Central Registry checks are required for student teaching, first-time licensure, every license renewal and first or changed employment in a public school, charter school or education cooperative. Applicants complete the online consent form, pay for the state and FBI checks online, and are fingerprinted at an approved Live Scan location; out-of-state applicants request a pre-printed fingerprint card from the Department. The Child Maltreatment check is requested through the Department of Human Services with an $11 online processing payment. Fee: $11 for the Child Maltreatment check; the state and FBI check fee is paid online and not stated on this page. Source

Your first license

License: Standard Arkansas Educator License. It is valid for 5 years. The license begins January 1 of the year it is issued and expires December 31 of the fifth year. Source

Renewal

The five-year Standard license can be renewed at any time during its fifth year through an online application in AELS with a $75 fee. Renewal requires new Arkansas State Police, FBI and Child Maltreatment background checks and the required professional development for the previous five years. Licenses expiring December 31, 2023 or later also require documentation of an awareness credential in scientific reading instruction. Requirement: Required professional development for each of the previous 5 years, plus a science of reading awareness credential. Source

Teacher pay in Arkansas

Elementary teachers in Arkansas earned a median of $52,700 a year in May 2025, $11,270 below the national median of $63,970. Half of teachers in each occupation earn more than the median and half earn less. What you earn in a given district depends on its salary schedule, your experience and any graduate credits.

Annual wages, cross-industry estimates, from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 state tables, retrieved through the BLS Public Data API on November 7, 2026. Special education teachers are shown separately; our guide to the online master's in special education covers the add-on and initial-license options.

Teacher shortage areas, 2026-27

Arkansas reported these subject areas to the US Department of Education as teacher shortage areas for the 2026-27 school year.

• Art and Music Education (statewide)
• Career and Technical Education (statewide)
• Language Arts (statewide)
• Mathematics (statewide)
• Science (statewide)
• Social Studies (statewide)
• World Languages (statewide)

Source: US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas report, retrieved November 7, 2026.