Arkansas § 6-17-403 - Provisional licensure for teachers trained and licensed in other states.

§ 6-17-403. Provisional licensure for teachers trained and licensed in other states.

The State Board of Education may issue a one-year nonrenewable provisional license to any teacher who seeks Arkansas licensure and is trained in and licensed by a state other than Arkansas if the teacher has been in good standing during the most recent three (3) years of teaching in another state. A person who has not successfully completed the licensure tests required under § 6-17-402 and who has not previously held an Arkansas standard license but meets degree, course work, and experience requirements for a standard license and who otherwise qualifies to teach in the public schools of this state may receive a three-year nonrenewable provisional license and be employed by any public school district in this state for a period not to exceed three (3) years while completing the professional development, course work, or training necessary to successfully pass the stand-alone reading assessment under § 6-17-402. A school district that hires a teacher who has not successfully completed the licensure tests required under § 6-17-402 shall not be penalized by the state board provided that the length of employment of the teacher while nonlicensed does not exceed one (1) year. The state board shall issue a standard five-year teaching license to an individual who furnishes to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education proof of the following: A valid, standard teaching license or its Arkansas equivalent that: Was issued in another state; and Has been in good standing during the most recent three (3) years of the applicant's teaching experience; Successful completion of the criminal records checks and Child Maltreatment Central Registry check under § 6-17-410; Higher education transcripts evidencing the award of at least a baccalaureate degree; Successful completion of the licensure tests required under § 6-17-402; Completion of a program for: Teacher education at a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher education; Teacher education nationally accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation; or Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; and Payment of applicable licensure fees.