(a)

1. (1) Endorsements may be added to a license through a program of study or by testing out, as provided in this part.
2. (2) Endorsements that are not available by testing out are known as exception area endorsements.
3. (3) A list of Division of Elementary and Secondary Education-approved endorsements is published on the division’s website.

(b) The division shall add an endorsement, licensure content area, or level of license to a standard license upon receipt of the following from an applicant:

1. (1) A completed application for addition of area or level;
2. (2) Eighteen (18) hours in the content area with a grade point average (GPA) of three and zero hundredths (3.00) or higher completed within the previous ten (10) years or an official score report reflecting passing scores, as approved by the State Board of Education, on the appropriate licensure area assessment and other applicable assessments mandated by the state board; and

3. (3)

   1. (A) If an endorsement requires a program of study (see division’s website), an official:

(i) Transcript documenting successful completion of a program of study at an accredited approved educator preparation program, to include an internship if applicable in the licensure area to be taught; and

1. (ii) Score report reflecting passing scores, as approved by the state board, on the appropriate licensure area assessment and other applicable assessments mandated by the state board;

   1. (B) The successful completion of a program of study shall be recognized for licensure only if the institution’s licensure officer signs and verifies the application for licensure.

      1. (c)
2. (1) An applicant whose program of study was completed more than ten (10) years before the date of application shall be required to meet all current assessment requirements as determined by either the division or an accredited educational program.

3. (2) For applicants seeking an endorsement for 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.

   1. (d) For applicants seeking an endorsement for Elementary Education (K-6) or Special Education (K-12), or Special Education Resource (K-6) for those entering a program after Fall 2023 and thereafter, an official score report reflecting passing scores on the stand-alone reading assessment, as adopted by the state board, unless already proficient through an approved, prescribed pathway.

(e)

1. (1) To add an Elementary Education (K-6), (7-12) English Language Arts, Mathematics, or Science, (7-12) Special Education Resource endorsement by program of study, an applicant shall:

   1. (A) Hold a standard Elementary Education (K-6) or grades four through eight (4-8) license, or a standard grades seven through twelve (7-12) license in the areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, or Science;

   2. (B) Document successful completion of an approved program of study in special education, to include:

      1. (i) SPED 101 Academy; or
      2. (ii) A course aligned to the SPED 101 educator competencies; and
   3. (C) Document successful completion of the special education content area assessments approved by the state board.
2. (2) The training or coursework, or combination, under subdivision (e)(1)(B) of this section shall include at a minimum multisensory reading instruction and classroom management for special education.
3. (3) The successful completion of a program of study shall be recognized for licensure only if the institution’s licensure officer signs and verifies the application for licensure.