(a) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall issue a two-year provisional license to an applicant who holds an out-of-country license or its equivalent and who meets the requirements of 6 CAR § 180-203 and:

1. (1) Submits a completed application for a provisional license;
2. (2) Is not a United States citizen and provides evidence satisfactory to the division that the applicant meets the criteria of an exception under 8 U.S.C. § 1621 for the state to issue a professional license;

3. (3)

   1. (A) Submits documentation of the successful completion of a division-approved assessment of English language skills or has completed a master’s degree or higher at an accredited college or university in the United States.
   2. (B) The Department of Education may waive this requirement for an applicant whose out-of-country standard license equivalent is issued by a country whose official language and the language of instruction in higher education is English;
4. (4) Submits an official college transcript evaluation from a private credential evaluation agency recognized by the division;
5. (5) Submits proof of employment with an Arkansas public school district, charter school, or other agency or organization in a position that requires an educator license;
6. (6) Submits documentation that the applicant has successfully completed all background checks required by the Rules Governing Background Checks, 6 CAR pt. 194;
7. (7) Submits a copy of the out-of-country license or licenses held by the applicant; and
8. (8) Submits certification from the country that issued the license that the license has been in good standing for the most recent three (3) years.

(b) To convert the provisional license to a standard license, the applicant shall submit to the division:

1. (1) An application for a standard license, including the required nonrefundable application fee;
2. (2) For applicants seeking licensure in Elementary Education (K-6), Middle Childhood Social Studies (4-8), or Secondary Social Studies (7-12), documentation of the successful completion of three (3) college credit hours in Arkansas history at an accredited college or university or an approved learning pathway;
3. (3) Submission of an official score report reflecting passing scores, as approved by the State Board of Education, on the appropriate content area assessments as mandated by the state board; and

4. (4)

   1. (A) For applicants seeking licensure in Elementary Education (K-6) or Special Education (K-12), or grade levels within the range of Elementary Education (K-6) or Special Education (K-12), an official score report reflecting passing scores on the standalone reading assessment, as adopted by the state board.
   2. (B) The division may extend the provisional license for an out-of-country applicant who has not completed the standalone reading assessment at the time of application for a standard license.

(c)

1. (1) Licensure content areas, levels, and endorsements listed on an out-of-country license may be recognized for reciprocity in accordance with the credential evaluation required in 6 CAR § 180-202(b)(1)(D).

2. (2) An applicant whose licensure content area, endorsement, or level is not recognized by Arkansas shall receive the licensure content area, endorsement, or level of licensure that most closely parallels their out-of-state:

   1. (A) Licensure area;
   2. (B) Endorsement; or
   3. (C) Level.
3. (3) The division may license the applicant to teach his or her native language upon the applicant providing an official score report reflecting passing scores, as approved by the state board, on the appropriate state-mandated content area exam and pedagogy exam.