Overview of Arkansas Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Licensure

To qualify for an educator license in Arkansas, applicants must complete the required degree, coursework and tests, including:

• completion of an approved program at an Arkansas institution, or if an out-of-state applicant, graduation from a regionally or nationally accredited institution
• submission of an official transcript indicating at least a bachelor's degree (master's degree when required) to the Office of Professional Licensure
• verification of successful completion of the grade-level-appropriate Principles of Learning and Teaching test and the appropriate Praxis II® Subject Assessments (when applicable); see Arkansas Test Requirements table for specific score requirements

For more information on educator licensure in Arkansas, visit the Teachers Licensure section of the Arkansas Department of Education website.

Important Information

• Arkansas requires the last four (4) digits of your social security number and your date of birth to ensure accurate downloading of your Praxis scores into the Arkansas licensure database. Failure to provide this information when registering for your Praxis assessment(s) will mean that your Praxis score(s) cannot be electronically downloaded into the Arkansas licensure database, and you will have to submit your score report directly to the Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Professional Licensure.
• Beginning with the 2012–13 testing year, ETS is administering new versions of two test titles (listed below). The new tests cover the same content as the previous tests. However, scores are reported on a different scale, so requirements will vary from previous versions. All scores for discontinued tests are reportable for 10 years from the date the test was taken. Consult the Test Requirements table for specific score requirements.
  • Latin — New Test Code: 0601
  • Theatre — New Test Code: 0641
• ETS is offering several additional tests in a computer-delivered format which will be introduced throughout the testing year. Visit Test Centers and Dates to find testing centers near you. The computer-delivered versions cover the same content as the paper-delivered versions and are scored on the same scale; however, the computer-delivered tests have different test codes.
  • Biology: Content Knowledge (5235) — September 2012
  • Business Education: Content Knowledge (5101) — December 2012
  • Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge (5571) — October 2012
  • Family and Consumer Sciences (5121) — December 2012
  • Library Media Specialist (5311) — February 2013
  • Physical Education: Content and Design (5095) — September 2012
  • Professional School Counselor (5421) — February 2013
  • Reading Specialist (5301)* — September 2012
  • School Superintendent Assessment (6021)* — December 2012
  • Speech-Language Pathology (5330) — December 2012

• * This test is not available in a paper-delivered format except as required for ADA accommodations.

  Who Must Take the Educator Licensure Tests?

  Teacher candidates or other professional educators must take The Praxis Series™ tests to be issued a license in Arkansas.

  The Arkansas Department of Education requires successful completion of the Praxis I® Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST®) in Reading, Writing and Mathematics for entry into teacher education programs, including the Non-Traditional Licensure Program and Master's Degree education programs. These tests are available in paper-delivered or computer-delivered formats. Additionally, the appropriate Praxis II content tests for each area of licensure must be completed prior to a license being issued.

  Applicants for the three-year Initial license must provide evidence of successful completion of the appropriate Principles of Learning and Teaching test or the appropriate subject-specific pedagogy exam.

  In Arkansas, initial applicants and applicants adding additional areas to a current license must take the appropriate Praxis II tests for each area of certification sought.

  See also:

  • About the Praxis™ Tests
  • The Praxis Series™ Information Bulletin
  • Prepare for a Test
  • Register for a Test
  • Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities