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Requirements  /  Arkansas

Arkansas Teacher PD Requirements (2026)

36 hours every 1 years for teachers

Source

Primary source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Educator Licensure. AR is unique in expressing requirements as ANNUAL rather than per-cycle. Most other states aggregate over 5 years. The cycle_years=1 entry here is the honest representation; for comparison purposes 36 hrs/yr × 5 yrs = 180 hrs which would put AR among the highest in the nation. Cycle window varies by district (June 1-May 31 or July 1-June 30).

Teachers

Annual hours
—
Cycle hours
36
Cycle years
1

Arkansas Standard Teaching License — UNUSUAL ANNUAL FRAMEWORK. Standard licensed teachers must maintain a minimum of 36 professional development hours per school year (not per renewal cycle). PD must be completed within either July 1–June 30 or June 1–May 31 cycle, depending on district. Annual requirement is enforced through the district; failing to log 36 hours in a single year can affect license standing. License expired more than 1 year requires 36 hours completed within a year of applying for renewal. The 60-hour annual requirement (in effect 2005-2014) was reduced to 36 hours beginning 2014-2015 school year.

Counselors

Annual hours
—
Cycle hours
36
Cycle years
1

School counselors hold an Arkansas license and follow the same 36 PD hours per school year framework.

Administrators

Annual hours
—
Cycle hours
36
Cycle years
1

Administrators follow the same 36 PD hours per school year framework. Specific administrative PD topics may be required by district.

Other South states

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Information current as of May 25, 2026. Verify with your state Department of Education for official licensure decisions.