Nursing Degrees & Licenses in Arkansas

Applicants for an RN license in Arkansas, a must:

• Graduate from a board-certified program
• Pass a criminal background check
• Have a passing score on the NCLEX RN exam
• Submit a declaration of primary state of residence with the application
• Pay $100 application fee

Arkansas RN licenses must be renewed biennially.

To renew, applicants must provide proof of residency and do one of the following:

• Complete an academic course in nursing
• Obtain 15 focused contact hours approved by the state ASBN board
• Certification or recertification during the renewal period by a national certifying body recognized by the ASBN

Applicants must also pay the $100 renewal fee

Arkansas State Board of Nursing

In the state of Arkansas, a CNM license requirement include:

• Hold a license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Arkansas and provide a notarized document stating the applicant has practiced for a minimum of 2,000 hours. If the applicant is not an RN in the state of Arkansas, they will need to also apply for an Arkansas RN license.
• Provide the date (month and year) of graduation for each degree earned and send any official transcripts to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
• Have a certificate or academic degree that shows completion of a program through an accredited school of nursing or another nationally recognized program that meets the requirements of a nurse practitioner program by the Board
• Complete state and federal background checks
• Hold current certification by a national certifying body recognized by the Board of Nursing in the APRN role and population foci appropriate for educational preparation.
• Pay an application fee to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (fee is determined upon completion of the application)

In the state of Arkansas, APRN licenses do not automatically include Prescriptive Authority. Applicants can choose to also apply for this authority at the end of the APRN application and submit a Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) and Quality Assurance (QA) Plan.

In order to renew a CNM license in the state of Arkansas, applicants must hold a current National Certification related to the area of certification, and an active unencumbered Arkansas RN license or multistate compact RN license. Applicants must also submit an APRN renewal application before the license expiration date and pay a fee of $65. If the applicant has Prescriptive Authority, additional requirements include five hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the area of APRN certification within the last two years.

The Nurse Practitioner Act requires biennial license renewals. If the nurse allows their license to expire, they will need to pay a late penalty fee and cannot practice any type of nursing during this lapse.

Arkansas State Board of Nursing

In the state of Arkansas, a CNS is licensed as an APRN who has been educated beyond the requirements for a registered nurse.

To be certified and recognized as an APRN in the state of Arkansas, applicants must:

• Hold a license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Arkansas and provide a notarized document stating the applicant has practiced for a minimum of 2,000 hours. If the applicant is not an RN in the state of Arkansas, they will need to also apply for an Arkansas RN license.
• Provide the date (month and year) of graduation for each degree earned and send any official transcripts to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
• Have a certificate or academic degree that shows completion of a program through an accredited school of nursing or another nationally recognized program that meets the requirements of a nurse practitioner program by the Board
• Complete state and federal background checks
• Pay an application fee to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (fee is determined upon completion of the application)
• Hold current certification by a national certifying body recognized by the Board of Nursing in the APRN role and population foci appropriate for educational preparation.

In the state of Arkansas, APRN licenses do not automatically include prescriptive authority. Applicants can choose to also apply for this authority at the end of the APRN application and submit a Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) and Quality Assurance (QA) Plan. The fee for prescriptive authority is $160.

To renew a CNS license in the state of Arkansas, applicants must hold a current national certification related to the area of certification and an active unencumbered Arkansas RN license or multistate compact RN license. Applicants must also submit an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Renewal application prior to the expiration date of the license and pay a fee of $65. If the applicant has Prescriptive Authority, additional requirements include five hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the area of APRN certification within the last two years.

The Nurse Practitioner Act requires biennial license renewals. If the nurse allows their license to expire, they will need to pay a late penalty fee and are not allowed to practice any type of nursing during this lapse.