How to Renew Your Teaching License in Arkansas (2026 Guide)

Last updated March 2026

Renewing your Arkansas teaching license has a few extra steps compared to some states — background checks, a science of reading requirement, and one of the higher PD hour totals in the country. But the good news? There's no renewal fee. And if you plan ahead, the 36-hours-per-year pace is steady and predictable.

This guide covers everything you need to know about renewing your teaching license in Arkansas in 2026: the hour requirements, what counts as PD, the science of reading credential, how to submit through AELS, and how to avoid letting your license lapse.

The Basics: Arkansas Teaching License Renewal at a Glance

Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
Hours required: 180 hours total (36 hours per year)
Governing body: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Where to renew: Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS) — aels.ade.arkansas.gov
Renewal fee: $0 (no cost to renew)
License period: January 1 of the year issued through December 31 of the fifth year

Your license period runs on a calendar-year basis. If your license was issued in 2021, it's valid from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025. You can begin the renewal process at any time during the fifth year.

Understanding the 180-Hour PD Requirement

Arkansas requires 36 hours of professional development per year, totaling 180 hours over the full 5-year renewal cycle. That's among the higher requirements nationally — for comparison, Alabama requires just 50 hours over the same period.

The 36-hours-per-year expectation means Arkansas views PD as an ongoing commitment, not something you cram into the final year. Most districts structure their PD calendars to help teachers meet this requirement through a combination of district-led sessions, conferences, and individual coursework.

What Counts as PD in Arkansas?

Arkansas accepts several types of professional development toward the 180-hour requirement:

Arkansas Department of Education-approved professional development
University coursework (graduate or undergraduate)
School district-sponsored professional development
State-approved workshops and conferences
National Board Certification activities

All PD must be in areas approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. Keep documentation for everything — certificates of completion, transcripts, and sign-in sheets. You may need to upload this documentation to AELS when you submit your renewal.

The Science of Reading Requirement

This is a requirement that catches some teachers off guard. Arkansas requires documentation of an awareness credential in scientific reading instruction for licenses expiring December 31, 2023 or later. This means if you're renewing in 2026, you need this credential.

The science of reading awareness credential is a specific training — not just any reading-related PD. Check with your district or DESE to confirm which programs satisfy this requirement. If you haven't completed it yet, prioritize it early in your renewal cycle.

The 5-Year Renewal Cycle Explained

Arkansas teaching licenses run on a calendar-year schedule:

Licenses begin on January 1 of the year they are issued
Licenses expire on December 31 of the fifth year
You may begin the renewal process at any time during the fifth year

Example: If your license was issued in 2022, it's valid from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026. You can submit your renewal anytime in 2026.

Pro tip: Don't wait until December to submit. Background checks are required at renewal (more on that below), and processing delays during the holiday season could push you past your deadline.

Background Check Requirements

Arkansas requires three separate background checks at renewal. This is non-negotiable:

ASP (Arkansas State Police) background check
FBI background check
Child Maltreatment Central Registry check

All three must be completed and cleared before your renewal can be approved. Start this process early — particularly the FBI check, which requires fingerprinting and can take several weeks. Contact your district's HR department for guidance on where to get fingerprinted and how to submit the required checks.

How to Submit Your Renewal: The AELS Portal

Arkansas uses the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS) at aels.ade.arkansas.gov for all licensure actions, including renewal. Here's the process:

Log in to AELS at aels.ade.arkansas.gov. Create an account if you don't already have one.
Review your PD records. Confirm that your 180 hours of professional development are documented. Many district-sponsored PD hours will already be in the system.
Verify your science of reading credential. Make sure documentation of your awareness credential in scientific reading instruction is on file.
Complete all three background checks. ASP, FBI, and Child Maltreatment checks must be submitted and cleared.
Upload any missing PD documentation. If hours from outside your district aren't showing, upload certificates of completion or transcripts.
Submit your renewal application. Complete the online renewal form in AELS.
No fee required. Arkansas does not charge a renewal fee — one of the few states with free license renewal.
Wait for processing. DESE will review your application, verify PD hours, confirm your science of reading credential, and check your background check results.

Building Level Administrator License

If you hold a Building Level Administrator License, the renewal requirements are similar to the Standard Educator License:

180 hours of professional development over the 5-year cycle (36 hours per year)
Background checks (ASP, FBI, and Child Maltreatment) required at renewal
Must hold a valid teaching license or equivalent credential
Accepted PD includes DESE-approved leadership development programs and district-sponsored administrative PD
Renewal submitted through AELS — no fee

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?

If your license expires on December 31 and you haven't renewed, you cannot legally teach in an Arkansas public school. Your district will be notified, and your employment status could be affected.

Arkansas does not charge a late fee, but an expired license requires additional steps to reinstate. You may need to meet updated requirements that have taken effect since your license was issued, and the reinstatement process takes longer than a standard renewal.

Given that renewal is free in Arkansas, there's no financial reason to delay. The only cost is your time — so invest it early rather than scrambling at the end.

Special Situations

National Board Certification

Work toward or completion of National Board Certification counts toward your 180-hour PD requirement. Given that the NBPTS process typically involves 200-400 hours of professional work, it can make a significant dent in your renewal hours. Check with DESE for how to document NBPTS activities in AELS.

New to Arkansas from Another State

If you recently transferred your license to Arkansas from another state, your renewal cycle starts fresh. You'll need to meet Arkansas-specific requirements including the science of reading credential and the 36-hours-per-year PD pace. Don't assume PD requirements from your previous state will carry over — verify everything through AELS.

University Coursework

Both graduate and undergraduate university coursework count toward your 180-hour requirement. If you're working toward a master's degree or additional endorsements, you're likely accumulating renewal hours at the same time. Keep your transcripts — you'll need them as documentation.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Standard Educator License renewal	$0 (free)
Building Level Administrator License renewal	$0 (free)
Background checks (ASP, FBI, Child Maltreatment)	Varies (check with your district)
Late fee	None (but expired licenses require reinstatement)

Your Renewal Checklist

Check your license expiration date in AELS (remember: it's December 31 of the fifth year)
Set a calendar reminder for January 1 of your expiration year
Track your PD hours throughout the cycle — you need 36 per year, 180 total
Complete the science of reading awareness credential if you haven't already
Schedule and complete all three background checks (ASP, FBI, Child Maltreatment) well before your deadline
Gather documentation for any PD completed outside your district
Log in to AELS and submit your renewal during your fifth year
No fee to pay — just confirm your submission and save your confirmation

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

Arkansas has one of the higher PD requirements in the country at 180 hours, but the lack of a renewal fee makes it one of the more teacher-friendly states in terms of cost. The biggest challenges are staying on pace with 36 hours per year and making sure you don't overlook the science of reading credential or the triple background check.

For a full breakdown of Arkansas educator license types, requirements, and accepted PD hours, visit the ChalkReady Arkansas page.