Non-Traditional Licensure Program

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Entry Requirements

Preparing for Admission

NTLP candidates must meet the following minimum criteria for admission:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution
  
• A documented cumulative undergraduate or graduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher OR a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 credit hours of coursework completed.
  
• Additional required coursework for specific areas of licensure must be completed prior to program admission.
  
• Achieving passing scores on required testing prior to entry into program
  
• Proof of initiating required criminal background checks.
  
• Completion of on-line application (available January 15 through June 15).
• Submission of program fee.

Note:  Individuals who have completed a teacher preparation program, and completed a required internship or student teaching, are not eligible for Arkansas’ Non-Traditional Licensure Program.

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Steps for Making Application

NTLP applications will be accepted January 15 through June 15 each year. Transmittal of the application and program fee without submission of ALL required documentation may cause an application to be delayed or denied.

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Gather all required admission documents
   1. Official transcripts; evaluation of Out-of-Country Credentials (if required)
      
   2. Original Praxis I®: Basic Skills Assessment score report
      
   3. Original Praxis II®: Content Area Assessment(s) score report(s)
      New Information to Access Your Scores Online
      Please be sure to follow all instructions in the email from ETS regarding your Praxis II online score report. Be sure to save a copy of the score report to your computer or print them out for your records. Remember that you only have 30 days in which to access these scores through your ETS online account.
      
   4. Copy of ASP-122 form and fingerprint card for criminal background check
      
   5. Official proof of enrollment for required additional coursework, if not yet completed OR Official transcripts showing completion of required additional coursework prior to June 15.
      Original copies sent to applicant’s home must be submitted with the
      application packet.
      
      
2. Mail all documents listed above in one packet to:
   ADE-NTLP 09-10
   501 Woodlane, Suite 220-C
   Little Rock, AR 72201
   Note: MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN JUNE 15.
   
   
3. Have credit card or checkbook ready.
   
   
4. Complete and submit the NTLP Online Application and program fee between January 15 and June 15. If you are unable to apply and pay the program fee on-line, please contact the NTLP office at 501-682-5535.
   
   
5. Print a copy of the application, fee receipt and all paperwork submitted for your records.
   Note: The application cannot be saved or submitted electronically without fee payment.
   
   
6. Refund policy Deadline for Refund Request: August 1.

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Transcripts and Grade Point Average (GPA)

Official Transcripts

• From each accredited (regional or national accreditation) institution of higher education documenting degree(s) awarded
  
• Official seal or stamp from registrar’s office must be present
  
• ALL transcripts showing ALL coursework are required
  
• All transcripts/evaluations must be mailed to the applicant’s home address and submitted to the NTLP office with admission documents.

Do NOT have official transcripts/evaluations mailed directly to the NTLP office. Copies or faxed copies of documents will NOT be accepted.

Out of Country Transcripts and Evaluations

• Must be evaluated by an ADE approved in-country evaluation agency
  
• Must be documented as being equal to a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college/university
  
• Must be course-by-course evaluation, prepared in English, with GPA reflected

GPA Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree with a MINIMUM cumulative GPA of 2.5 or 2.75 in the last 60 hours of coursework (calculated for the last 60 hours beginning with the most recent coursework completed.)

GPA Waiver – A waiver of the GPA requirement may be requested based upon the following criteria:

• At least fifteen (15) years experience in the field related to the teaching/licensure area (subject to review and approval)
  
• A minimum 2.0 undergraduate GPA
  
• Letter of justification from applicant detailing the relevance of his/her credentials to teach the specified subject
  
• Two (2) professional letters of recommendation submitted by references to the NTL office
  
• Complete the regular NTL application process

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Additional Required Coursework

For Early Childhood (Grades P-4) and Middle Childhood (Grades 4-8)

• Six credit hours of ADE-approved Teaching Reading Courses at an accredited Arkansas college/university. Both courses must be completed with a final grade of “C” or higher. Please note: These courses may not be delivered more than 50% on-line. For questions about obtaining approval for courses not listed, please
  e-mail Patti Froom at patti.froom@arkansas.gov.
• Official proof of enrollment (if not yet complete) in the required courses issued by the college/university documenting:
  
  • Course number(s) and title(s)
    
  • Date course(s) will be completed
    
  • Approximate date an official transcript will be available
• Official documentation showing both completed Teaching Reading courses with a final grade of “C” or higher must be on file with the NTLP office no later than June 15.

Note: The Teaching Reading courses cannot be 100% delivered on-line. Some Arkansas institutions offer the courses as hybrids (no more than 50% on-line).

For Early Childhood (Grades P-4), Middle Childhood (Grades 4-8) and Secondary Social Studies

• Three hours of Arkansas history at an accredited college/university.
  Note: this coursework may be taken on-line, via independent study, in class). Official transcripts showing successful completion of this requirement must be on file with the NTLP office no later than June 15 for admission to the program.
• Official transcript showing completed Arkansas history course with a final grade of “C” or higher must be on file with the NTLP office no later than June 15 for admission to the program.

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Initiating Mandatory State and Federal Background Checks

• The ASP-122 Form is available from school districts or the ADE Office of Professional Licensure (501-682-4342).
  
• The actual form and fingerprint card are mailed directly to the Arkansas State Police. Instructions are given on the back page of the ASP-122 form. The State Police will report the results directly to the Arkansas Department of Education.
  
• Previous background checks done for any position other than teacher-of-record, including for substitute teaching, will not be accepted. New background checks are required.
  
• Background checks must be done on specific forms for licensed (certified) positions. DO NOT complete the forms for classified or non-licensed district personnel.
  
• Background checks must be less than one year old when applying for a teaching license.

A teaching license will not be issued until the applicant has cleared background checks conducted by the Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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Program Fee/Refund Policy

• The program fee of $1200 is payable at the time of registration. The fee covers the cost of books, supplies, and instructors.
  
• Payment may be made on-line via credit card or electronic check. Mailed applications must be accompanied by fee payment in the form of a cashier’s check or money order.
  
• The program fee (minus a non-refundable $50 processing fee) will be refunded ONLY if:
  
  • the NTLP office is notified in writing that the applicant is withdrawing from the program AND
    
  • the applicant has NOT attended ANY summer instructional modules.
    
• Correspondence must be postmarked no later than August 1 for a refund to be processed.
  

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