TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO ENSURE ARKANSAS STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT BY QUALIFIED TEACHERS.

HB 1496 modifies Arkansas teacher licensing rules to ensure students are taught by qualified educators. It requires teachers to complete specific continuing education tied to their subject area or critical shortage fields (like earning 5 professional development hours for each graduate credit hour), and limits temporary teaching assignments without full licensure to a maximum of five years (three years initially plus one two-year extension). School districts must approve all professional development credits and licensure plans, while prohibiting assignments outside a teacher’s licensed subject without specific exceptions like emergency permits or designated shortage-area training. The bill directly affects Arkansas public schools, teachers, and school districts by tightening requirements for who can teach in classrooms and how educators maintain qualifications.