Arkansas Administration/Principal Certification
Arkansas offers three administrator licenses through the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE): Building Level Administrator, Curriculum/Program Administrator, and District Level Administrator. Every path starts with a current Arkansas teaching license, a graduate degree in educational leadership, and passing the relevant School Leadership Series exam from ETS. Building Level Administrators typically need at least three years of teaching experience before applying.
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The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) grants three types of administrator licenses in Arkansas, and each one maps to a different role in a school or district. Whether you’re aiming for a principal’s office or a superintendent’s desk, the path runs through a graduate program in educational leadership, a state licensure exam from Educational Testing Service (ETS), and a set number of years in the classroom first.
Use the links below to jump to license types, education and exam requirements, experience thresholds, background checks, and renewal timelines.
- Which administrator licenses Arkansas offers
- Education requirements for administrator licensure
- Exams required for Arkansas administrator licensure
- Teaching experience requirements by license type
- Background check requirements
- How to renew an Arkansas administrator license
Which Administrator Licenses Arkansas Offers
DESE issues three administrator licenses, all valid for grades P-12:
- Building Level Administrator – for a principal, assistant principal, or vice principal
- Curriculum/Program Administrator – for a school leader responsible for program development, administration, or employment evaluation decisions in a specific area (Special Education, Gifted and Talented Education, Career and Technical Education, Adult Education, Content Area Specialist, or Curriculum Specialist)
- District Level Administrator – for a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or deputy superintendent
All candidates for an administrator license must hold a current Arkansas teaching certification before applying.
Education Requirements
To obtain a Building Level Administrator License, you’ll need to complete a graduate degree program in educational leadership from an Arkansas college or university with an approved administrator preparation program, holding one of the following degrees:
- Master’s degree in Educational Leadership
- Master’s degree in Education
- Master’s degree in a content or endorsement area
Contact schools offering educational administration degree programs in Arkansas to learn more about the graduate school process.
Curriculum/Program Administrator candidates need the same graduate-degree foundation, with coursework reflecting the leadership standards for their specific specialty area (for example, Special Education or Career and Technical Education).
A District Level Administrator License requires a graduate degree or advanced educational program that reflects the standards for district-level licensure, also completed at an Arkansas college or university with an approved program. Approved administrator licensure preparation programs are listed on the DESE Preparation for School Leader Licensure page.
Examinations
ETS’s School Leadership Series covers the two exams DESE requires for administrator licensure: the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) and the School Superintendent Assessment (SSA).
Building Level Administrator and Curriculum/Program Administrator candidates both take the SLLA. District Level Administrator candidates take the SSA instead, since that exam is built specifically for superintendent-track licensure.
Experience Requirements
Building Level Administrator
Candidates pursuing an Initial Building Level Administrator License need at least three years of experience as a classroom teacher, school counselor, or school librarian, along with a completed internship in their educational leadership program, verified by the licensure officer at their college or university.
To convert an Initial Building Level Administrator License to a Standard license, you must have worked as a Building Level Administrator in an Arkansas public school for at least 50 percent of the day for at least one year. This induction phase runs up to three years and includes mentorship, training, and the state-mandated assessment. Once your mentor confirms you’ve met the Standards for School Administrators in Arkansas, they’ll recommend you for the Standard Building Level Administrator License.
Curriculum/Program Administrator
Curriculum/Program Administrator candidates need at least three years of experience in the relevant specialty core area (for example, three years in special education for the Special Education CPA license) rather than general classroom experience.
District Level Administrator
District Level Administrator candidates need the same teaching, counseling, or library media experience required for the Building Level license, plus a valid Building Level Administrator license and at least one year of experience serving in that role.
Criminal History Background Check
Every administrator candidate needs current Arkansas State Police (ASP) and FBI background checks on file, plus a current Child Maltreatment Central Registry check. These are required for first-time licensure, licensure renewal, and any change of employment.
The process runs through DESE’s online consent form: pay for the ASP and FBI checks online, then complete fingerprinting at an approved Live Scan location (or schedule a fingerprinting appointment directly with DESE if you’re out of state). The Child Maltreatment Registry check is a separate online submission. Per DESE, employers, school districts, and educator preparation programs typically cover the cost of the state and federal criminal records check, not DESE itself, so confirm with your program or district who’s paying before you submit.
License Renewal
Arkansas administrator licenses run on the same five-year cycle as teaching licenses, starting January 1 of the year issued and expiring December 31 of the fifth year. Renewal requires 36 hours of professional development completed and documented each year of that cycle, new ASP, FBI, and Child Maltreatment background checks, and an application submitted online through the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS). If you work for a public school or cooperative, your employer typically manages the professional development tracking and reporting for you. If your underlying Arkansas teacher certification renewal is also due, both run on the same 5-year timeline, so it’s worth checking both at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many administrator licenses does Arkansas offer?
Arkansas offers three: Building Level Administrator, Curriculum/Program Administrator, and District Level Administrator. Each requires a current Arkansas teaching license, a graduate degree in educational leadership, and the relevant state exam.
How long does it take to become a principal in Arkansas?
Between the graduate degree program, required teaching experience, and the induction period after your initial license, most candidates spend several years moving from classroom teacher to Standard Building Level Administrator. The induction phase alone runs up to three years.
What exam do you need to become a principal in Arkansas?
The School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), part of the ETS School Leadership Series, is required for both Building Level Administrator and Curriculum/Program Administrator licensure. District Level Administrator candidates take the School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) instead.
Do you need a master’s degree to become an administrator in Arkansas?
Yes. All three administrator licenses, Building Level, Curriculum/Program, and District Level, require a graduate degree from an Arkansas institution with an approved preparation program.
How often do Arkansas administrator licenses need to be renewed?
Every five years, with 36 hours of professional development required each year of the cycle and new background checks required at renewal.
- Arkansas offers three administrator licenses — Building Level Administrator, Curriculum/Program Administrator, and District Level Administrator, each tied to a different school leadership role.
- A graduate degree in educational leadership is required — both the Building Level and District Level licenses require a master’s degree or advanced program from an approved Arkansas institution.
- The SLLA and SSA are the required exams — the School Leaders Licensure Assessment covers Building Level and Curriculum/Program licensure, while the School Superintendent Assessment is for District Level candidates only.
- Experience requirements stack by license level — District Level Administrator candidates need Building Level experience first, not just classroom teaching experience.
- Licenses renew every five years — with 36 hours of professional development required annually and new background checks at renewal.
Find accredited educational leadership programs in Arkansas, including degree options and licensure preparation for building-level and district-level administrator paths.
