Arkansas Substitute Teaching License
Arkansas has two types of substitute teachers. The traditional “substitute” need not receive any type of license or permit from the state, while the other type of substitute, a working professional, may obtain a Professional Teaching Permit. Both types of substitute teaching positions will be explored here.
Education Requirements
Traditional substitute teacher:
The traditional Arkansas substitute teacher does not need any education beyond a high school diploma or GED.
Professional Teaching Permit:
To obtain a Professional Teaching Permit, you must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the content area in which you wish to teach. You must also complete 40 hours of Professional Teaching Permit pedagogy training during the first year in which you teach.
Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Arkansas.
Sponsored School(s)
Experience
Traditional substitute teacher:
The traditional Arkansas substitute teacher usually does not need any experience in order to apply for a substitute teaching position. Some school districts may prefer to hire those with some teaching or classroom experience. Consult your local school district for more information.
Professional Teaching Permit:
You must have at least three years of working experience in the content area in which you plan to teach before you can obtain a Professional Teaching Permit.
Examination
Traditional substitute teacher:
The traditional Arkansas substitute teacher need not pass any special examinations prior to being hired as a substitute.
Professional Teaching Permit:
To obtain a Professional Teaching Permit, you must pass the appropriate Praxis II content area knowledge test that corresponds to your area of expertise/the area in which you plan to teach.
Criminal History Background Check
All substitute teachers, whether they are traditional substitutes or possess a Professional Teaching Permit, must pass the same criminal background checks. These include the FBI/Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check and the Department of Human Services Child Maltreatment Central Registry check. The local school district in which you plan to substitute can provide the necessary forms to you, 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.
Additional Information
Traditional substitute teachers:
Consult with your local school district to find available substitute positions and request an application. Depending upon the district’s policies, you may be allowed to choose the grade level/subject in which you wish to substitute teach.
Professional Teaching Permit:
You will need one letter of justification explaining your qualifications to teach in the chosen subject and two letters of professional recommendation to obtain the permit, along with the completed application, original Praxis II score report, documentation of your background checks, and your college transcript(s). Mail the above information to the Office of Teacher Quality, Arkansas Department of Education, 501 Woodlane Street, Suite 220C, Little Rock, AR 72201.
Once you obtain a Professional Teaching Permit, you may teach up to two class periods per day in your content area. You will be working with grades 9 through 12.
Contact Information
For more information about the Professional Teaching Permit, contact the Office of Teacher Quality of the Arkansas Department of Education at (501) 682-4311. For more information about substitute teacher openings, contact your local school district.
