All education graduates from an Arkansas college or university will receive a three-year initial teaching license without having to document proof of employment beginning with the December 2002 graduates.
All new education graduates must have cleared both parts of the background check, the Praxis II Specialty Area Test(s) and the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching prior to receiving an initial teaching license. Individuals being licensed in Early Childhood Education P-4, any Integrated Middle School area and Secondary Social Studies 7-12, must also have taken and passed a three-hour course in Arkansas History.
A one-year, non-renewable provisional teaching license will be available for graduates that have not passed all of the Praxis II tests or have not completed the three-hour Arkansas History course.
School districts wishing to hire a graduate that has not met all requirements for a three-year initial teaching license (testing or Arkansas History) must document on school district letterhead the individual to be hired, the individual's social security number, college or university graduated from and hire date. This letter will be sent to Professional Licensure. Professional Licensure will issue the one-year, non-renewable provisional teaching license upon receiving the required documentation from the college or university.
Colleges and universities may still provide graduates with the Eligibility for Initial Licensure Form indicating eligibility for the initial license and the area(s) to be licensed in while awaiting a three-year initial teaching license.