Education

• Arkansas teachers must have a high school diploma or GED along with at least a bachelor's degree. Prospective teachers may either complete a teacher education program as part of their bachelor's degree or an alternate-route program after obtaining their bachelor's degree.
  
  

Background Checks

• All prospective Arkansas teachers must undergo background checks, including fingerprinting. School district offices provide necessary forms and instructions to complete this process. Local law enforcement agencies can handle the fingerprinting.
  
  

Testing

• Arkansas teacher candidates must take and pass the Praxis exams to receive a teaching license. Applicants typically take the Praxis I basic-skills test shortly after beginning a teacher-preparation program. Praxis II subject-area tests are taken toward the end of teacher-prep programs. Finally, teachers must pass Praxis III performance assessments in order to convert an initial teaching license to a standard teaching license.
  
  

Induction

• New teachers in Arkansas must complete an induction program. During the induction phase, new teachers are paired with mentor teachers, who provide support and advice. When the mentor and new teacher agree that expectations have been met, the Praxis III performance assessments are scheduled to complete the induction process.