How to become a paraprofessional in Arkansas.

To become a paraprofessional in Arkansas, you’ll need to meet several requirements related to education, certification, and training. These standards help ensure that paraeducators are prepared to support students and teachers in meaningful and impactful ways.  

Minimum Arkansas paraprofessional requirements, at a glance:* 

• At least 18 years old 
• For substitute paraprofessionals: High school diploma or GED  
• Full full-time paraprofessionals: One of the following: 60 college credit hours or associate degree or higher with a passing score on the ETS ParaPro Assessment 
• Background check and fingerprinting 
• CPR and First Aid certification (recommended) 
• Special education training modules (if working with special needs students) 

Substitute paraeducators working through Kelly Education do not need 60 college credits or the parapro exam. However, we require candidates to: 

• complete our ParaSmarts pre-hire training course. 
• attend a one-hour new hire orientation session. 

At Kelly Education, we refer to this role as a paraeducator because, like a paramedic or paralegal, it reflects the professionalism that aligns with the field. School districts often refer to this role by other names, such as parapro or teaching aide. 

The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education defines paraprofessionals as employees who provide instructional support under the direct supervision of a certified teacher. This includes tutoring, classroom management, computer lab assistance, and library support. 

A deeper dive into paraprofessional requirements. 

Kelly Education works with schools across Arkansas to place paraeducators, so we know what it takes to get started. While the state’s requirements are clear, the process can take a little time — especially fingerprinting and background checks — so it’s smart to begin early. 

Education verification. 

To become a paraprofessional in Arkansas, you’ll need to provide transcripts from your high school or college. If you don’t have them on hand, you can request them from the school. There may be a small fee for the service. 

Employment verification. 

Anyone working in schools must prove their eligibility to work in the United States. To complete this step, you’ll submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials. If you work with Kelly Education, our team will help you with this. If you’re applying for roles on your own, you’ll need to work with their human resources department directly. 

Background check and fingerprinting. 

Every paraeducator in Arkansas is required to have a background screening and fingerprinting. This requirement is a critical step to ensure student safety and is mandatory for employment in public schools, charter schools, and education service cooperatives. 

Currently fingerprints cost $15-37 to the state depending on if you want to work in early childhood positions or just K-12. There may be a fee associated with the printing location, and all prints are done via live scan. 

To begin the background process, applicants must: 

• Complete the Online Background Check Consent Form 
• Submit payment and retain the transaction ID 
• Visit an approved fingerprinting location with a photo ID, consent form, and payment receipt 
• Complete the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check which cost $11 
• Wait up to 15 days for the employability status to be determined 

You can find complete instructions and access all necessary forms on the Arkansas Department of Education’s Background Check Process page. 

Training. 

If you plan to work with students receiving special education services, Arkansas requires specific training modules. These include: 

• Foundations in Special Education 
• Introduction to Behavior 

These modules are available through ArkansasIDEAS and require either an Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS) number or approval from an administrator. 

Additionally, paraprofessionals working with students who have special health care needs must complete a six-hour training led by a registered nurse. This training covers how to safely and effectively support students with medical needs in school settings. 

Whether required or not, we recommend pursuing First Aid and CPR certification. These emergency response skills not only enhance student safety but also increase your value as a school support professional. Courses are typically affordable, costing around $50, and some districts or employers may cover the cost. 

Start your paraeducator journey today. 

At Kelly Education, we want you to feel ready on day one as a paraeducator. Every applicant completes our ParaSmarts module, a pre-hire course designed to walk you through the expectations, duties, and daily responsibilities of a paraeducator. This ensures you’re ready to support students and teachers from day one. 

Once hired, you’ll complete a one-hour online New Hire Orientation that covers our policies and guidelines from the school district where you’ll work. 

Become a substitute paraeducator with Kelly Education. 

If you or someone you know is interested in paraprofessional or substitute teacher jobs, fill out our brief interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions. 

We also have an entire library of helpful articles for paraprofessionals and school educators. They include: 

• What is a paraprofessional in schools 

• Understanding IEP and 504 plans 

• Paraeducator job description, duties, and responsibilities 

*Information subject to change. This is a general guideline as of September 2025. School districts may have additional requirements in addition to state requirements. 

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