Arkansas requires that all school districts shall provide no less than six professional development days for educators under Ark. Code Ann. 6-17-2402.
All teachers and administrators must be able to document the required professional development hours annually for the renewal of their standard teaching license. All professional development must be completed within either of the following cycles during each year: June 1 to May 31 or July 1 to June 30.
Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a standard licensed teacher will be required to maintain a minimum of 36 professional development hours per school year.
A license expired for more than a year requires 36 hours of professional development completed within a year of applying for renewal.
In the 2018-2019 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, the professional development for Parental Involvement and licensed elementary and secondary public school personnel is required.
In the 2019-2020 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, the Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention professional development is required.
In the 2020-2021 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, the Arkansas History professional development is required.
In the 2021-2022 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, the Mandated Reporter professional development is required.