If your Arkansas teacher license renewal deadline is approaching, you’re in the right place. Arkansas requires teachers to renew their Standard Educator License every five years — and the process involves more than just submitting a form. There are professional development hours to track, mandatory training topics to complete, and a background check to clear.
The good news: the same graduate credits that satisfy your renewal requirement also count toward salary lane advancement in most Arkansas districts. That means one set of coursework can accomplish two goals — and the financial return on those credits can be substantial.
Who Needs to Renew an Arkansas Teaching License
The Arkansas Standard Educator License is valid for five years and is issued to teachers who have completed an approved educator preparation program and passed required assessments. The license covers all public school teachers in Arkansas, including those teaching in charter schools.
Private school teachers are not required to hold a state license, but many do — and the renewal process is the same. Teachers holding a Provisional License must meet additional requirements before converting to a Standard License; provisional licenses are not renewed in the same way.
| License Type | Validity | Renewal Portal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Educator License | 5 Years | AELS Portal | Most common; requires PD hours + background check |
| Provisional License | 1–3 Years | AELS Portal | Must convert to Standard before expiration |
| Emergency Permit | 1 Year | AELS Portal | District-sponsored; limited to specific assignment |
| Licensure Only (Private) | 5 Years | AELS Portal | Voluntary; same renewal process as Standard |
Arkansas Teacher License Renewal Requirements
To renew a Standard Educator License in Arkansas, teachers must complete the following during the five-year license period:
Professional Development Hours: Arkansas requires 36 hours of professional development per year, totaling 180 hours over the five-year renewal period. For teachers who prefer to use graduate credits, the conversion rate is 1 semester credit = 15 PD hours — meaning 6 graduate credits equals 90 hours, which satisfies the annual requirement for two full years.
Mandatory Training Topics: Every Arkansas teacher must complete the following specific training topics at least once during each five-year renewal period, totaling 8 hours:
| Mandatory Topic | Hours Required | Legal Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Mandated Reporters Training | 2 hours | Ark. Code § 6-61-133 |
| Mental Health Awareness | 2 hours | Ark. Code § 6-17-708 |
| Teen Suicide Awareness & Prevention | 2 hours | Ark. Code § 6-17-708 |
| Bullying Prevention | 2 hours | Ark. Code § 6-17-711 |
These mandatory hours are typically provided by your school district and tracked through the Arkansas IDEAS LMS (ideaslms.aetn.org). If your district provides them, they count toward your 36-hour annual requirement.
Background Check: A new background check is required at each renewal, including an Arkansas State Police (ASP) check, an FBI fingerprint check, and a Child Maltreatment Central Registry check. Background checks are initiated through the AELS portal.
Renewal Fee: The renewal fee is $75, paid online through the AELS portal at the time of application.
How Graduate Credits Count Toward Arkansas License Renewal
Arkansas teachers have the option to use graduate-level semester credits to satisfy their professional development requirement. The conversion is straightforward: 1 semester credit = 15 PD hours. This means:
| Graduate Credits Earned | PD Hours Equivalent | Annual Requirements Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 1 credit | 15 hours | Less than 1 year |
| 3 credits | 45 hours | 1+ years |
| 6 credits | 90 hours | 2+ years |
| 12 credits | 180 hours | Full 5-year renewal period |
Most Arkansas teachers who use graduate credits for renewal complete between 6 and 12 credits over the five-year period — enough to satisfy a significant portion of the PD requirement while also advancing their salary lane. The credits must be graduate-level (500-level or above) from a regionally accredited institution.
Credits for Teachers courses are graduate-level, fully online, and accepted by Arkansas school districts for both salary lane advancement and license renewal documentation. Transcripts are issued by our nationally accredited university partners.
See Your Numbers
Your Renewal Credits Can Also Advance Your Salary
The graduate credits you earn for Arkansas license renewal are the same credits that count toward salary lane advancement in most Arkansas districts. Before you choose a course provider, it’s worth knowing exactly how much a lane change would be worth in your district. The Salary Advancement Roadmap walks you through it in about two minutes.
Arkansas Teacher Salary and the Lane Advancement Connection
Arkansas teacher salaries are determined by two factors: years of experience (steps) and education level (lanes). Steps advance automatically each year. Lanes only move when you take action — by earning graduate-level credits. The state minimum salary schedule has two lanes (Range 1 for BA/BS and Range 2 for BA+36/MA), but most Arkansas districts, including Bentonville and Little Rock, have additional lanes for BA+15, Masters, M+15, and M+30/Ed.S.
The financial impact of lane advancement is significant. Using the Bentonville Public Schools 2025–2026 Licensed Salary Schedule as an example:
| Years of Experience | Bachelor’s Lane | M+30 / Ed.S Lane | Annual Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | $56,329 | $62,019 | +$5,690/yr |
| 5 years | $60,386 | $66,356 | +$5,970/yr |
| 10 years | $64,995 | $71,405 | +$6,410/yr |
| 17 years (Bach cap) | $70,458 | $78,519 | +$8,061/yr |
| 25 years | $70,458 (capped) | $88,077 | +$17,619/yr |
The critical insight: Bachelor’s salaries in Bentonville cap at $70,458 at year 17, while M+30/Ed.S salaries continue climbing past $88,000. Over a 25-year career, the difference is more than $203,000 in additional earnings. And the same graduate credits that move your salary lane also count toward your five-year license renewal.
How to Renew Your Arkansas Teaching License: Step-by-Step
Arkansas license renewal is completed entirely online through the AELS portal (aels.ade.arkansas.gov). Paper applications are no longer accepted. Here is the complete process:
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Log in to the AELS portal | Use your Arkansas educator account credentials |
| 2 | Initiate background check | ASP + FBI fingerprint + Child Maltreatment Registry; allow 4–6 weeks |
| 3 | Document PD hours | Public school teachers: employer verifies; private/non-employed: self-document |
| 4 | Verify mandatory training | 8 hours across 4 required topics; tracked via Arkansas IDEAS LMS |
| 5 | Submit renewal application | Complete all sections in AELS; upload transcript if using graduate credits |
| 6 | Pay renewal fee | $75, paid online via AELS portal |
| 7 | Receive renewed license | Digital license issued through AELS; no physical certificate mailed |
Important timing note: Arkansas licenses expire on December 31 of the fifth year. The AELS portal opens for renewal applications approximately 90 days before expiration. Do not wait until the expiration date — background checks can take 4–6 weeks to process, and late renewals may require additional steps.
Scientific Reading Instruction Requirement
Arkansas added a new requirement for licenses expiring December 31, 2023 and thereafter: teachers must hold an Arkansas Scientific Reading Instruction Awareness Credential (or equivalent) as a condition of renewal. This credential is earned by completing approved training in the science of reading and structured literacy.
Most Arkansas districts have provided this training to their teachers. If you are unsure whether you have completed it, check with your district’s professional development coordinator or log in to the Arkansas IDEAS LMS to review your completed training history.
What Happens If Your Arkansas License Expires
If your Arkansas teaching license expires, you cannot legally teach in an Arkansas public school until it is renewed. An expired license does not automatically disqualify you from future renewal, but the process becomes more complex. Arkansas DESE may require additional documentation, and your district may need to place you on an emergency permit while the renewal is processed.
If your license has been expired for more than two years, you may be required to complete additional coursework or assessments before renewal is approved. The best approach is always to begin the renewal process at least 90 days before your expiration date.
The Bottom Line
Arkansas teacher license renewal is a manageable process when you understand the requirements and plan ahead. The five-year renewal requires 36 PD hours per year (or equivalent graduate credits), 8 hours of mandatory training on specific topics, a new background check, and a $75 fee — all completed online through the AELS portal.
The most important strategic insight: the graduate credits you earn for renewal are the same credits that advance your salary lane. In most Arkansas districts, moving from the Bachelor’s lane to M+30/Ed.S adds $5,000–$17,000 per year — and the gap grows every year as Bachelor’s salaries cap out. Starting your renewal coursework early means more years earning at the higher rate.
Start Today
Complete Your Arkansas Renewal Credits Online
Browse graduate-level courses accepted for Arkansas teacher license renewal and salary lane advancement. Flexible, self-paced, and designed for working teachers.