What is licensure by Reciprocity?

• Reciprocity means the recognition of a teaching license from another state or country based on the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) licensure rules and/or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure.
• Licensure in another state or country does not mean licensure in Arkansas will automatically be granted.

o   Type of license must be evaluated

*Ancillary requirements may apply

Reciprocity for Veterans and Military Families

The Arkansas Department of Education values our veterans, military and family members. Our workforce, economic development and students are all enhanced by their contributions. The portability of out of state and Department of Defense educator licenses to Arkansas through the process of reciprocity is just one way we use to attract and retain the services of these highly valued educators. Priority is given to processing these applications in the most efficient and timely manner. Transcripts may be sent electronically to melissa.jacks@arkansas.gov

What steps must I take to apply for Reciprocity?

1. Request a Reciprocity packet from ADE ade.educatorlicensure@arkansas.gov
2. Submit completed packet

a.     Online application 

b.     Official Transcripts

c.     Copy of current or expired out of state educator’s license

d.     Content area and pedagogy testing required for the out-of-state license, if applicable

e.     Documentation of three years licensed teaching experience, if applicable

f.     National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certification, if appicable

What about background checks?

• If out of state, complete ASP and FBI criminal history background check forms in packet and mail to the Arkansas State Police.
• If in Arkansas, you may begin the ASP and FBI background check online by using electronic fingerprinting at one of the locations on this map.
• Follow the instructions given on this Online Payments for ASP and FBI document. 
• A child maltreatment central registry check through DHS must be cleared.

What happens once I have submitted the above listed documentation?

• Evaluation of all documents
• If applicable, a written response letter shall be sent to the educator within two weeks listing deficiencies.
• If no deficiencies, the standard license will be issued upon receipt of the $75 licensure fee. https://www.ark.org/ina_renewalservices/teachers/licensure.aspx

When is a Provisional license available?

• If all requirements for the standard license have been met except:

o   Content or Pedagogy testing

o   Arkansas History (If applicable)

• The verification of provisional licensure eligibility form, VOPLE, will be sent when the applicant has submitted all documents required for the provisional license.
• The Provisional license will be issued upon receipt of the signed VOPLE from the employing superintendent.

What licensure areas are required to take Arkansas History?

• Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Middle Childhood areas and Secondary Social Studies

Where can I take Arkansas History?

• One of the accredited two or four year institutions in Arkansas or
• A 45 clock hour professional development course through Arkansas IDEAS

If Praxis exams are assessed, how do I register for them?

       http://www.ets.org/praxis/ar

What additional items will I need if I am an educator from out of country?

• Transcript evaluation from an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE).  
• If not a U.S. citizen, legal documentation to work in the U.S.
• Documentation of successful completion of the ADE approved assessment of English language skills exam, TOEFL

*Documentation of successful completion of the ADE approved content area and pedagogy assessments must be submitted for the standard license.

For more information, please contact: