In order to be granted a standard license in a first-time licensure area (see Appendix A link below) an applicant must demonstrate competency in their subject matter content on an identified assessment as approved by the State Board of Education. An identified assessment may be:

• A passing score on an approved content area assessment; or
• An approved alternate score by the SBE on the content area assessment and complete the following two items:
  • A DESE approved micro-credentials(s) or performance-based content assessment.
    • Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers - (PPAT) https://www.ets.org/ppa/test-takers/teachers/about; or
    • edTPA - https://www.edtpa.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Arkansas.html
    • Content Assessment Micro-credential Pathway - https://bloomboard.com/program/arkansas-aap/
  • and at least three years of relevant teaching experience in the content area as demonstrated through successful TESS evaluations and definition of effective teacher found under 1-2.31.

An applicant may receive a renewable provisional license based on yearly progress on DESE approved identified assessment.  This renewable provisional license is limited for up to three (3) years.  Educators must be employed in a public school and or charter school.

1. District Instructions for the Alternate Assessment Plan (AAP) (PDF)
2. AAP Score Chart
3. Appendix A: Levels and Areas of Licensure (PDF)
4. AAP Form Year 2 and 3 (PDF)
5. Converting AAP Provisional to Standard (PDF)

For more information, please contact: