Alternative Teaching Certification in Arkansas

The Non-Traditional Licensure Program (NTLP) of the Arkansas Department of Education was designed for those who might not have started out with a teaching career in mind, but now wish to become a licensed teacher in Arkansas.

Interested in learning about the traditional approach? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Arkansas.

Alternative Certification Requirements

Education Requirements

You must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject in order to be enrolled in this program, and have maintained a total GPA of 2.5 or higher. If you wish to become licensed to teach in certain areas, you must fulfill additional educational requirements for entry:

• Early Childhood (Grades P-4)
  • 6 credit hours of ADE-approved Teaching Reading courses
  • 3 credit hours of Arkansas history
• Middle Childhood (Grades 4-8)
  • 6 credit hours of ADE-approved Teaching Reading courses
  • 3 credit hours of Arkansas history
• Secondary Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
  • 3 credit hours of Arkansas history

After enrollment, you will enter into 15 days of intensive site training over the summer, and undergo more training monthly on Saturdays for two years. You will be expected to obtain a teaching position within the first or second year of the program.

Examinations

Before entering into the NTLP program, you must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills Assessment. Scores necessary and alternatives to the Praxis Core, along with their corresponding scores, may be found here. Additionally, you must pass the Praxis II test in your specific content area before applying to the program.

Experience

You do not need any particular experience to enter into the NTLP program. After enrollment, you are expected to obtain a full-time teaching position in Arkansas within your licensure area during the first or second year of the program. Teaching positions may be found through local school district websites, and by consulting the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators website. A mentor will be assigned to guide you throughout your experience in the NTLP program.

Criminal History Background Check

You may not enter into the NTLP program until you have passed the necessary background checks. These include the FBI/Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check and the Department of Human Services Child Maltreatment Central Registry check. Local school district administrative offices can provide the necessary forms to you on a walk-in basis, or you may call the ADE Office of Professional Licensure to request them at (501) 682-4342. Instructions for submitting the forms may be found on the forms themselves. The State Police will report the results of your background check and fingerprinting directly to the Arkansas Department of Education.

Additionally, forms for the DHS Central Registry check must be completed. They may be found here. Return the completed forms to the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry, P.O. Box 1437, Slot S 566, Little Rock, AR 72203. DHS will report results directly to the Arkansas Department of Education.

Contact Information

For more information about the NTLP, contact the NTLP office of the Arkansas Department of Education at (501)682-5535.