(b) A person in-state applying for a first-time Arkansas standard license who does not hold a current, valid educator license from Arkansas or another state or country shall submit to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education:

1. (1) A completed application for licensure with payment of the nonrefundable application fee;
2. (2) Documentation that the applicant has successfully completed all background checks required by the Rules Governing Background Checks, 6 CAR pt. 194;

3. (3)

   1. (A) An official score report reflecting passing scores, as approved by the state board, on the appropriate content area assessments as mandated by the state board.
   2. (B) Applicants for an Elementary Education (K-6) or a Special Education (K-12) license shall pass a standalone assessment that examines the acquisition of knowledge of essential components of beginning reading instruction based on the science of reading.
   3. (C)

(c) (c) Has verification of employment in an accredited primary through grade twelve (P-12) Arkansas school.

1. (ii) To complete the Alternate Assessment Plan, the applicant must have at least three (3) years of relevant teaching experience in the content area as demonstrated through successful Teacher Excellence and Support System (TESS) evaluations and the definition of effective teacher found under 6 CAR § 180-102;

2. (4)

   1. (A) An official transcript from an accredited college or university documenting an awarded bachelor’s degree or higher.
   2. (B) If the applicant’s degree is from a nonaccredited college or university outside of the United States, the applicant shall have his or her credentials evaluated by a private credential evaluation agency recognized by the division;

3. (5)

   1. (A) Verification by the educator preparation program that the applicant has completed the approved program of study or approved pathway for the licensure level and content area.
   2. (B) For purposes of a licensure pathway that is completed at a public school district or charter school, the superintendent or director shall serve as the licensure officer.

   3. (C)

      1. (i) The verification shall be submitted in the manner and form prescribed by the division.
      2. (ii) An applicant who has never been licensed and whose most recent licensure content area degree or educator preparation program was completed more than ten (10) years before the date of application shall be required to complete current licensure assessments;
4. (6) If an applicant does not meet the assessment requirements of this section as outlined above, the applicant may receive a renewable provisional teaching license provided that the applicant meets the requirements as outlined in 6 CAR § 180-203;

5. (7) An applicant seeking licensure in Early Childhood (P-4), Elementary Education (K-6), Middle Childhood Social Studies (4-8), or Secondary Social Studies (7-12) shall provide documentation of the successful completion of:

   1. (A) Three (3) college credit hours in Arkansas history at an accredited institution of higher education; or

   2. (B) If the applicant completed an alternative educator preparation program or pathway, either:

      1. (i) Three (3) college credit hours in Arkansas history at an accredited institution of higher education; or
      2. (ii) An approved learning pathway;
6. (8) Documentation of the completion of the professional development identified in Appendix B;

7. (9) The division may issue a one-year provisional license to an applicant for a standard license who submits proof of employment with an Arkansas educational entity in a position that requires an educator license and has met all other requirements except for:

   1. (A) Completion of the Arkansas history requirement, if applicable;
   2. (B) If applicable, the standalone reading test; and
   3. (C) If applicable, the pedagogy test;
8. (10) To convert a provisional license issued under subdivision (b)(9) of this section, an applicant shall complete the missing requirements before the provisional license expires;
9. (11) If an applicant for first-time licensure or administrator licensure or for the addition of a licensure content area, endorsement, or level of licensure was enrolled in a program of study prior to the effective date of this part and meets all other requirements for licensure, the division may reference and utilize the licensure content areas, endorsements, or levels of licensure that were recognized by the state board immediately prior to the effective date of this part;
10. (12) A first-time Arkansas standard license issued under this section will be designated as an Early Career Professional Educator designation unless the applicant qualifies for a standard license for the Career Professional Educator designation under 6 CAR § 180-605;

11. (13) The division shall grant reciprocity to a person who holds a current or expired standard license or standard license equivalent from another state upon receipt of the following:

    1. (A) A valid, standard license or standard license equivalent that:

       1. (i) Was issued in another state; and
       2. (ii) Has been in good standing during the most recent three (3) years of the applicant’s teaching experience;
    2. (B) If applicable, a completed application for licensure with payment of the nonrefundable application fee;
    3. (C) Documentation that the applicant has successfully completed all background checks required by the Rules Governing Background Checks; and

    4. (D)

       1. (i) Documentation that the applicant has completed at least three (3) years of teaching under the out-of-state license.
       2. (ii) An applicant who has not completed three (3) years of teaching under the out-of-state license shall also submit an official score report:

(b)

1. (1) (b)(1) If the licensing state does not require such assessments, reflecting passing scores, as approved by the state board, on the appropriate content area assessments as mandated by the state board, including for licensure in Elementary Education (K-6) or Special Education (K-12) the stand-alone reading assessment, as adopted by the state board.

2. (2) (2) The division may issue a provisional license for up to three (3) years for an applicant who has not completed the standalone reading assessment.

   1. (c) (c) An out-of-state applicant may also be eligible for the Alternate Assessment Plan as referenced in subdivision (b)(3)(C) of this section;

3. (14)

   1. (A) For an applicant whose out-of-state license is expired, an official score report reflecting passing scores, as approved by the state board, on content area assessments as mandated by the state board, including for licensure in Elementary Education (K-6) or Special Education (K-12) the standalone reading assessment, as adopted by the state board.
   2. (B) The division may issue a provisional license for up to three (3) years for an applicant who has not completed the standalone reading assessment;
4. (15) An official transcript documenting an awarded bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university;

5. (16) Documentation of one (1) of the following:

   1. (A) Successful completion of a program of teacher education at a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher education, but only if the applicant possesses a standard license equivalent;
   2. (B) Successful completion of an educator preparation program that is nationally accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; or
   3. (C) If the applicant is a national board-certified teacher, documentation of current certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;

6. (17)

   1. (A) For applicants seeking licensure in Early Childhood (P-4), Elementary Education (K-6), or for any elementary licensure level that includes a grade within kindergarten through grade six (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.
   2. (B) The division may issue a one-year provisional license for an applicant who has not completed the Arkansas history requirements of 6 CAR § 180-205(b)(2);
7. (18) Documentation of the completion of the professional development, identified in Appendix B; and

8. (19) The division may issue a provisional license for an applicant who has not completed the professional development under 6 CAR § 180-205(b)(2).

   1. (c) An out-of-state license that is provisional or less than a standard license equivalent in the issuing state will not be accepted for reciprocity.

      1. (d) Licensure content areas, levels, and endorsements listed on an out-of-state license shall be recognized for licensure through reciprocity as follows:
9. (1) Only the licensure content areas, levels, or endorsements specifically listed on an out-of-state license shall be recognized for a first-time Arkansas standard license through reciprocity;
10. (2) An out-of-state applicant shall receive the Arkansas-equivalent licensure content areas, endorsements, or levels of licensure provided all other licensure requirements have been met;
11. (3) 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 licensure area, endorsement, or level; and
12. (4) For the purpose of reciprocity, the division may reference and utilize any licensure content area, endorsement, or level of licensure that has ever been recognized by the state board in the past, regardless of whether the area, endorsement, or level is current.