PN and RN Licensure Requirements:
- Must graduate from a board-approved program;
- Eligibility for licensure as a practical or registered nurse is considered after successful completion of a Board approved nursing education program; however, completion of a nursing program does not guarantee the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s approval to take the licensure examination. All applicants for licensure shall complete a criminal background check per ACA §17-87-312 . No person shall be eligible to receive or hold a license issued by the Board if that person has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty by any court in the State of Arkansas, or of any similar offense by a court in another state, or of any similar offense by a federal court of any offense listed in ACA §17-3-102.
For APRN licensure:
APRN Licensure Requirements
- Eligibility for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is considered after verification of active practice of nursing as a registered nurse for a minimum of two-thousand (2,000) hours and verification of certification directly from the Board approved national certifying body evidencing current certification in good standing. The applicant must also submit an official transcript or document from a nursing accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and/or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), as acceptable by the Board and meets the qualifications of ASBN Rules, Chapter Four, Section II in the category of advanced practice nursing for which the applicant is seeking licensure. The transcript or document shall verify the date of graduation, the degree or certificate conferred, clinical hours completed, and the role and population focus of the education program. All applicants for licensure shall complete a criminal background check per ACA §17-87-312 . No person shall be eligible to receive or hold a license issued by the Board if that person has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty by any court in the State of Arkansas, or of any similar offense by a court in another state, or of any similar offense by a federal court of any offense listed in ACA §17-3-102.
For more information: