Bill > HB1305

This bill requires the Arkansas State Board of Education to issue a teaching license to individuals who do not meet traditional or alternative licensure requirements under specific conditions. Specifically, a public school district or open-enrollment charter school can request a license for an individual who has either a bachelor's degree in a related subject, an associate degree or trade certification with five years of related career experience, or ten years of career experience in a subject area related to the courses they will teach. The individual must first be approved for licensure and hire by the school district's board of directors. However, the license will not be issued to individuals with a record of child maltreatment, certain criminal offenses, or who fail to pass criminal background checks. The special license is only valid for the duration of the individual's employment with the recommending school district or charter school and will expire if the individual leaves that employment. This legislation appears aimed at addressing teacher shortages by providing an alternative pathway to teaching for professionals with substantial subject matter expertise who lack traditional educational credentials.

Education

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1305&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R