Arkansas Special Education Teacher Guide

Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Arkansas: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Arkansas guide.

How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Arkansas

Special education advocate certification online is one of the most accessible and impactful career steps an Arkansas disability educator can take — and with the state serving approximately 14% of students under IDEA across 261 school districts, and special education listed as a critical shortage area, the need for credentialed, knowledgeable advocates within Arkansas schools and communities has never been stronger.

Arkansas certifies disability educators through the Office of Educator Effectiveness and Licensure within the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree, complete a DESE-approved educator preparation program, and pass the required Praxis exams: the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT), and the Praxis Special Education Core Knowledge and Applications exam. Candidates seeking the Special Education K-12 endorsement must also pass the Arkansas Foundations of Reading assessment.

Arkansas issues three license types: the Provisional License (3-year, for candidates with a bachelor’s degree and relevant work experience), the Standard License (5-year, the primary pathway for newly prepared teachers), and the Lifetime License (available at age 62 for eligible experienced educators). Applications are submitted through the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS).

For those already licensed in another field, DESE’s Special Education Resource Teacher Academy offers free graduate coursework (12-15 credit hours, completed in one year) to add a Special Education Resource endorsement while teaching.

Explore how Arkansas compares to other states: Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide

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Continuing Education & License Renewal in Arkansas

Arkansas Standard License holders must complete 36 hours of scheduled professional development annually and submit them through the AELS system. Renewal occurs every five years and requires updated background checks through the Arkansas State Police, the FBI, and the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry, a unique requirement in Arkansas that applies at every renewal cycle, not just initial licensure.

NASET is actively pursuing state-level professional development approval in Arkansas. In the meantime, contact your district administrator to ask about accepting NASET coursework toward your renewal requirements.

IEPs in Arkansas

Arkansas follows federal IDEA requirements for all Individualized Education Programs. Once a student is referred and parental consent is obtained, schools have 60 calendar days to complete evaluations and convene an eligibility meeting. IEP teams must include the parent or guardian, a general education teacher, a special education teacher, a district representative, and a person qualified to interpret evaluation results.

Every Arkansas IEP must include present levels of academic achievement and functional performance, measurable annual goals, a description of special education and related services, an explanation of the extent to which the student will not participate in general education settings, and accommodations for state and districtwide assessments. IEPs must be reviewed at least annually, with full re-evaluations conducted at least once every three years.

DESE’s CIRCUIT program (Centralized Intake and Referral/Consultant Unified Intervention Team) provides individualized support for students ages 3-21 with significant needs, helping IEP teams navigate complex cases. NASET’s completed sample IEP and guide to determining measurable annual goals are practical tools for Arkansas educators managing these requirements.

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Special Education Teacher Salary in Arkansas

Salary Overview

Arkansas disability educators earn an average of approximately $50,879–$57,733 annually, depending on the data source, district, and experience level.
The LEARNS Act (2023) established a minimum base salary of $50,000 for all Arkansas teachers, a significant increase from the prior $36,000 floor.
Top earners with advanced degrees and additional endorsements can reach $70,000 or more annually.

Job Market

Special education is a designated critical shortage area in Arkansas, with approximately 110 new positions projected annually and 9% job growth expected through 2030.
Career advancement through graduate-level endorsements and board certifications is one of the most reliable paths to improved earning potential in Arkansas districts.

Special Education Advocate Certification Online in Arkansas

Special education advocate certification online gives Arkansas educators a structured, credentialed pathway to formalize skills they already use in every IEP meeting, evaluation conference, and family conversation. The most recognized online credential in the field is NASET’s BCASE: Board Certified Advocate in Special Education, a rigorous, fully online program developed jointly by NASET and the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (AASEP).

The BCASE covers 58 targeted units across 7 comprehensive modules; all can be completed at your own pace with no prerequisites needed. Module topics include legal foundations of special education, IEP development, instructional strategies, behavioral support, transition planning, negotiation skills, and dispute resolution — including state complaints, mediation, and due process hearings. Upon completion, candidates earn a nationally recognized board certification that signals expertise to families, districts, and administrators alike.

For Arkansas educators, the BCASE is particularly valuable given the state’s active advocacy landscape. Organizations such as Disability Rights Arkansas and the DESE CIRCUIT program (Centralized Intake and Referral/Consultant Unified Intervention Team) coordinate individualized support for students ages 3-21 — and credentialed advocates are in consistent demand across all 261 districts. The Arkansas LEARN network (Local Education Agency Resource Network) also connects educators with ongoing research-based training, making the BCASE a natural complement to the state’s existing professional development infrastructure.

NASET’s landmark cases in special education resource and IEP forms and checklists library provide practical grounding for any Arkansas educator preparing for the BCASE or beginning advocacy work.

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Key Resources for Arkansas Special Education Teachers

State Resources:

Advance Your Career With NASET

For Arkansas disability educators, pursuing special education advocate certification online is not a detour from teaching — it is an extension of the expertise they bring to every student interaction, every IEP table, and every family conversation.

The Membership gives you instant access to nearly 80 professional development courses, IEP tools, advocacy resources, and publications built exclusively for disability educators. Contact your Arkansas district administrator to confirm how NASET coursework can apply toward your annual 36-hour renewal requirement.

The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) is the nationally recognized credential for career advancement in this field. Members receive 15% off all certifications — including the BCASE.

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