Arkansas Nursing License
How to get your Arkansas nursing license
- Complete an approved nursing program (RN or LPN/LVN).
- Pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination.
- Apply to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for licensure by examination or endorsement.
- Complete the required criminal background check and pay licensure fees.
- If your primary residence is Arkansas, you may apply for a multistate (compact) license.
Arkansas licensing at a glance
| Initial license fee | $100 |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $100 / 2 years |
| Continuing education | 15 hours / 2 years |
| Compact (NLC) member | Yes |
The $100 is the Board application fee (an optional $30 temporary permit is separate); the NCLEX exam fee (Pearson VUE) and criminal background check are separate. The 15 practice-focused CE contact hours per 2-year renewal can be met instead by current national certification or an academic nursing course. eNLC member since January 19, 2018. The board site moved from arsbn.org to healthy.arkansas.gov.
Official resources
- Arkansas State Board of Nursing — apply, renew, and check requirements.
- Verify a nursing license (Nursys)
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) map — which states honor a multistate license.
- Directory of state boards of nursing (NCSBN)
Arkansas nursing license FAQ
- Does my compact nursing license let me work in Arkansas?
- Yes. Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so a multistate license issued by your compact home state covers practice in Arkansas without a separate application.
- How much does a Arkansas nursing license cost?
- The initial RN licensure fee in Arkansas is $100, and renewal is $100 / 2 years.
- How many continuing-education hours does Arkansas require?
- Arkansas requires 15 hours / 2 years for RN license renewal.
- How do I verify a Arkansas nursing license?
- Verify any U.S. nursing license through Nursys, the national verification system operated by the state boards of nursing.