4-2.01 A person 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:

4-2.01.1 A completed application for licensure with payment of the non-refundable application fee.

4-2.01.2 Documentation that the applicant has successfully completed all background checks required by the Division's Rules Governing Background Checks.

4-2.01.3 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.

4-2.01.3.1 Applicant for an Elementary Education (K-6) or a Special Education (K-12) shall pass a subject matter content assessment, stand-alone assessment that examines the acquisition of knowledge of essential components of beginning reading instruction based on the science of reading, and demonstrate pedagogical competence.

4-2.01.3.2 An applicant may be eligible for an Alternate Assessment Plan if the candidate meets the following criteria:

4-2.01.3.2.1 Has a score within minus two (-2) standard error of measurement (SEM) based on the national standard or an approved score by the State Board on the content area assessment; and

4-2.01.3.2.2 Has Completed an educator preparation program or is enrolled in an approved alternate route program for licensure; and

4-2.01.3.2.3 Has verification of employment in an accredited P-12 Arkansas school

4-2.01.3.2.4 To complete the Alternate Assessment Plan the applicant must:

4-2.01.3.2.4.1 Earn a Division approved micro-credential(s) or pass a Division approved performance based content assessment and

4-2.01.3.2.4.2 have at least three years of relevant teaching experience in the content area as demonstrated through successful TESS evaluations and the definition of effective teacher found under 1-2.31.

4-2.01.3.2.4.3 An applicant may receive a renewable provisional license based on yearly progress on DESE approved identified assessment. This renewable provisional license is limited for up to three (3) years.

4-2.01.4 An official transcript from an accredited college or university documenting an awarded bachelor's degree or higher;

4-2.01.4.1 An applicant whose degree is from a non-accredited college or university outside of the United States, shall have his or her credentials evaluated by a private credential evaluation agency recognized by the Division.

4-2.01.5 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.

4-2.01.5.1 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.

4-2.01.5.2 The verification shall be submitted in the manner and form prescribed by the Division.

4-2.01.5.2.1 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 and requirements;

4-2.01.6 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:

4-2.01.6.1 Three (3) college credit-hours in Arkansas History at an accredited institution of higher education; or

4-2.01.6.2 If the applicant completed an alternative educator preparation program or pathway, either:

4-2.01.6.2.1 Three (3) college credit-hours in Arkansas History at an accredited institution of higher education; or

4-2.01.6.2.2 The 45-hour professional development in Arkansas History offered through ArkansasIDEAS.

4-2.01.7 Documentation of the completion of the following professional development, which may be obtained on ArkansasIDEAS, from the applicant's teacher education program, or by another method of delivery approved by the Division under the Rules Governing Professional Development:

4-2.01.7.1 Family and Community Engagement;

4-2.01.7.2 Child Maltreatment training;

4-2.01.7.3 Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention;

4-2.01.7.4 Bullying prevention;

4-2.01.7.5 Human trafficking awareness; and

4-2.01.7.6 Code of Ethics.

4-2.01.8 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:

4-2.01.8.1 Met all other requirements except for:

4-2.01.8.1.1 Completion of the Arkansas History requirement, if applicable;

4-2.01.8.1.2 If applicable, the stand-alone reading test.

4-2.01.9 To convert a Provisional License issued under 4-2.01.8, an applicant shall complete the missing requirements before the Provisional License expires.

4-2.01.10 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 these rules, 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 these Rules.

4-2.01.11 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 Section 4-12.01.