Arkansas Substitute Teacher Requirements
Official Arkansas minimums (last reviewed February 8, 2026). Authorization comes only from government authorities. The real competitive edge: practical classroom skills that get you called back repeatedly.
5
Required Items
1
Optional/Recommended
$78
Daily Rate (avg)
Arkansas Requirements
These are the current published minimums. Skills that exceed them are what move you to the top of district call lists.
Required
Education Requirements
Arkansas requires substitute teachers to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or, alternatively, a minimum of 60 semester hours of college credit. Candidates who do not meet either threshold may still qualify in shortage areas at the discretion of the local school district, but the 60-credit-hour minimum is the general standard.
Background Check
All substitute teacher candidates in Arkansas must complete a criminal background check that includes FBI and Arkansas State Police fingerprint processing. The background check is a prerequisite for receiving any substitute teaching authorization. Applicants are responsible for paying the associated fingerprinting and processing fees.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Arkansas must be at least 18 years of age. There is no upper age limit for serving as a substitute teacher in the state's public school system.
Application Process
Arkansas substitute teacher applicants apply through the Arkansas Department of Education's Educator Licensure system. Applications require submission of transcripts, background check results, and any additional district-specific documentation. Once approved at the state level, candidates register with individual school districts.
Substitute Teaching Permit/License
Arkansas issues a Substitute Teaching Permit through the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. The permit is valid statewide and must be renewed according to the state's renewal cycle. Candidates with a bachelor's degree may be eligible for a Standard Substitute Teaching Permit, while those with 60 credit hours receive a Non-Degreed permit.
Recommended / Optional
Training/Orientation
Many Arkansas districts require substitute teachers to complete an orientation program that covers classroom management strategies, student safety protocols, and district-specific policies. Some districts offer online training modules that must be completed before a substitute's first assignment.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education - Educator Licensure page.
After Authorization: How to Actually Get Called More in Arkansas
Complete the official government process
Satisfy Arkansas's published education, background check, and application requirements. These are issued only by state and district authorities.
Install fast authority signals
Students decide in the first 90 seconds whether to cooperate. Master the specific voice, posture, and routine moves that establish calm control immediately.
Build a portable engagement toolkit
Have 5-6 repeatable tactics ready for any grade band. Subs who keep learning happening (not just managed) get requested for long-term and repeat assignments.
Earn a reputation that travels
Leave every classroom better + one precise note. In Arkansas, your documented reliability becomes your strongest job security.
The Real Picture in Arkansas
$78
Avg Daily Rate
$26,000
Annual (regular subs)
High school diploma
Education Floor
Often No
License Required?
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
This is skills-based professional development training only. It does not constitute state certification, a teaching license, or a guarantee of employment or assignments. All substitute teaching authorization and certification is issued exclusively by government/state/provincial/district authorities.
Skills-based professional development only. Actual substitute teaching authorization, certification, permits, and credentials in Arkansas are issued exclusively by state, provincial, and district government authorities — never by Substitute Teacher Training or any private provider.
Meet the Arkansas Rules — Then Stand Out with Skills
Our courses focus on the exact classroom tactics that turn authorized substitutes into the ones schools request again and again. All authorization and credentials come exclusively from state and district authorities.
Substitute Teacher Training provides practical skills development and resources to help substitute teachers perform more effectively in the classroom. Actual substitute teaching authorization, certification, permits, and credentials are issued exclusively by government/state/provincial/district education authorities. Decisions about hiring, pay rates, assignments, and any required credentials are made solely by schools, districts, and state education authorities. Completion of our courses results in a Certificate of Completion for professional development purposes only. We do not issue, approve, or guarantee any form of certification or employment.
Substitute Teacher Training provides no authorization, certification, or employment guarantees. All hiring, pay, and credential decisions rest solely with schools, districts, and state education authorities.