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Arkansas

Arkansas Continuing Education Requirements

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Below are details about continuing education and license renewal in Arkansas. You can skip to your profession by selecting it from the drop down list above.

Throughout the country, Arkansas is widely known for its continuously free-flowing streams, crystal-clear lakes, beautiful rivers, forested mountains and a vast abundance of wildlife. So, while you’re not outside basking in the beauty of nature, it’s likely that you’re working hard indoors, maybe in a hospital as a Registered Nurse?

Although the history of nursing in Arkansas dates back long ago, it wasn’t until October 1912 that 25 graduate nurses met at the Little Rock YWCA and established the first Graduate Nurses Association of Arkansas. The goal of the organization was to enact the registration of nurses throughout the state. At the first meeting, they appointed a committee who then created a bill to establish the State Board of Nurse Examiners, which was to certify the registration and licensure of nurses in the state. By 1919, with twenty members and five officers attending, they voted to change the name to be the Arkansas State Nurses Association.

Today, the Arkansas Nurses Association works to improve the health standards and the availability of health care services throughout the state, as well as promotes the professional development of nurses and acts as an advocate for the profession. The association has certainly grown from its roots over a century ago, but has kept its original values.

Arkansas Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
All facilities will continue to provide ongoing in-service training on a routine basis both in groups and as necessary in specific situations on a one-to-one basis. Each nursing assistant must receive one (1) hour of in-service training per month.

Please check with your facility/employer to ensure CEUFast courses are accepted. 
Special Requirements
Employing facilities and/or individuals shall be required to submit update information to the registry to establish ongoing eligibility for active status. The registry shall make "inactive" those individuals who cannot document having worked in an aide capacity within a 24-month period. Nursing assistants who are currently employed as a nursing assistant at the time of their renewal will be renewed for 24 months. Nursing assistants who are not currently employed will be renewed for 24 months beginning with the last day employed as a nursing 26 assistant. A certification that has been expired for a period longer than 24 months cannot be renewed and the individual must retest to re-certify to an active status.
AR Department of Human Services
Phone: 501-682-1807 Website: Visit Site Address: AR Nurse Aide Registry - Office of Long-term Care
PO Box 8059, Slot S405
Little Rock  72203-8059

Arkansas Home Health Aid (HHA)

ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Sunday, October 23, 2022
CEs not required.
HHAs are entry-level nurse aides in Arkansas. They do not need licensing to work until they choose to take the CNA exam.
Special Requirements

Arkansas also allows home health aides to be certified nurse aides (CNA) with no additional training – as long as they pass the CNA competency evaluation.

Arkansas Registered Nurse (RN)

Arkansas Requires
15 Hours
Every two years
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Approved Provider
#50-353
Instant Reporting to
Arkansas requires
15 hours Every two years
Arkansas
Approved Provider #50-353
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Active licensed practical nurses must complete the continuing education requirement by one of these methods prior to each bi-annual renewal. (1) 15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused activities, OR (2) Hold a current nationally recognized certification/recertification, OR (3) Completed a minimum of one college credit hour course in nursing with a grade of C or better during licensure period.

Get one year unlimited RN CEUs $39
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Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Phone: 800-462-0599 Fax: 501-686-2714 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: University Tower Building
1123 South University Suite 800
Little Rock  72205-3867

Arkansas Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Arkansas Requires
23 Hours
Every two years
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Approved Provider
#50-353
Instant Reporting to
Arkansas requires
23 hours Every two years
Arkansas
Approved Provider #50-353
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Active advanced practice registered nurses must complete the continuing education requirement by one of these methods prior to each bi-annual renewal.  
  1. 15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused activities, OR
  2. Hold a current nationally recognized certification/recertification, OR
  3. Completed a minimum of one college credit hour course in nursing with a grade of C or better during licensure period.
Special Requirements
In an effort to help curtail the national epidemic of opioid abuse, new prescribing guidelines have been enacted for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Arkansas.

Act 1208 of A.C.A. §20-7-704 specifically states that all APRNs issued a certificate of prescriptive authority after December 31, 2015, shall obtain a minimum of three (3) hours of prescribing education which includes information on maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in the state within two (2) years of issuance of the prescriptive authority certificate (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section VIII, A.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete two courses, Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours) and Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse (1 contact hour).

APRNs with prescriptive authority shall complete five (5) contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the APRN’s area of certification each biennium prior to license renewal. Two (2) of the prescribing hours must contain information related to maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in Arkansas (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section III,F.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete the course Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours).
Required Courses
Get one year unlimited ARNP CEUs $39
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Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Phone: 800-462-0599 Fax: 501-686-2714 Website: Visit Site Address: 4815 W. Markham
Little Rock  72205-3867

Arkansas Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Arkansas Requires
15 Hours
Every two years
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Approved Provider
#50-353
Instant Reporting to
Arkansas requires
15 hours Every two years
Arkansas
Approved Provider #50-353
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Active licensed practical nurses must complete the continuing education requirement by one of these methods prior to each bi-annual renewal. (1) 15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused activities, OR (2) Hold a current nationally recognized certification/recertification, OR (3) Completed a minimum of one college credit hour course in nursing with a grade of C or better during licensure period.

Get one year unlimited LPN CEUs $39
Sign Up
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Phone: 800-462-0599 Fax: 501-686-2714 Website: Visit Site Address: 4815 W. Markham
Little Rock  72205-3867

Arkansas Physical Therapist (PT)

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Physical therapists must complete, in each biennium(two-year period) 20 contact hours or two (2) CEUs(19 contact hours plus the jurisprudence exam).

*CEUFast is not a provider for Arkansas Physical Therapists

Special Requirements
A passing score on the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam is required for initial licensure and for license renewal. The exam is required for every odd-numbered year renewal as part of continuing education and must be taken by December 31, 2024.   The jurisprudence exam counts as 1 online hour.

No more than 50% of continuing education can be taken through online courses.  
Required Courses Not Provided by CEUfast
  • Jurisprudence
Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy
Phone: 501-228-7100 Fax: 501-228-0294 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: P.O. Box 250254
Little Rock  72225

Arkansas Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Arkansas Requires
10 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Arkansas requires
10 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Physical Therapist Assistants must complete one (1)CEU (10 hours).

*CEUFAST is NOT a provider for Arkansas Physical Therapy Assistants

Special Requirements
A passing score on the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam is required for initial licensure and for license renewal. The exam is required for every odd-numbered year renewal as part of continuing education and must be taken by December 31, 2024.   The jurisprudence exam counts as 1 online hour.

No more than 50% of continuing education can be taken through online courses.  
Required Courses Not Provided by CEUfast
  • Jurisprudence
Get one year unlimited PTA CEUs $39
Sign Up
Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy
Phone: 501-228-7100 Fax: 501-228-0294 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: P.O. Box 250254
Little Rock  72225

Arkansas Occupational Therapist (OT)

Arkansas Requires
10 Hours
Every year
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Arkansas requires
10 hours Every year
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Occupational Therapists are required to earn 10 hours of CEU's annually. 
Special Requirements
This Guidance document details acceptable and unacceptable forms of continuing education.
Get one year unlimited OT CEUs $39
Sign Up
Arkansas State Medical Board
Phone: 501-296-1802 Fax: 501-296-1972 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 340
Little Rock  72201-2936

Arkansas Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)

Arkansas Requires
10 Hours
Every year
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Arkansas requires
10 hours Every year
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Occupational Therapy Assistants are required to earn 10 hours of CEU's annually. 
Special Requirements
This Guidance document details acceptable and unacceptable forms of continuing education.
Get one year unlimited OTA CEUs $39
Sign Up
Arkansas State Medical Board
Phone: 501-296-1802 Fax: 501-296-1972 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 340
Little Rock  72201-2936

Arkansas Athletic Trainer (AT/AL)

Arkansas Requires
50 Hours
Every year
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Arkansas requires
50 hours Every year
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Athletic trainers shall renew their license annually on June 30th.  BOC certification is required.  The board will verify your NATA-BOC certification online.
Get one year unlimited AT CEUs $39
Sign Up
Arkansas State Board of Athletic Training
Phone: 501-683-4076 Fax: 501-228-0294 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 4815 W. Markham St. Slot 73
Little Rock  72225

Arkansas Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Arkansas Requires
12 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Arkansas requires
12 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Thursday, July 27, 2023
Arkansas requires all respiratory care practitioners licensed by the board to complete 12 continuing education hourly units per renewal. Licenses must be renewed annually on or before the last day of your birth month. 
Special Requirements
CEUFast is not approved to provide continuing education activities to Arkansas RTs at this time.  
Get one year unlimited RT CEUs $39
Sign Up
Arkansas State Medical Board
Phone: 501-296-1802 Fax: 501-603-3555 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 1401 West Capital Avenue, Suite 340
Little Rock  72201-2936

Arkansas Medical Assistant (MA)

ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
Arkansas does not require medical assistants to have a license, certification, or registration to be able to practice this occupation.
Arkansas State Medical Board
Phone: 501-296-1802 Fax: 501-603-3555 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 340
Little Rock  72201-2936

Arkansas Certified Medication Assistant (CMA)

ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
All facilities will continue to provide ongoing in-service training on a routine basis both in groups and as necessary in specific situations on a one-to-one basis. Each nursing assistant must receive one (1) hour of in-service training per month.
Special Requirements
Employing facilities and/or individuals shall be required to submit update information to the registry to establish ongoing eligibility for active status. The registry shall make "inactive" those individuals who cannot document having worked in an aide capacity within a 24-month period. Nursing assistants who are currently employed as a nursing assistant at the time of their renewal will be renewed for 24 months. Nursing assistants who are not currently employed will be renewed for 24 months beginning with the last day employed as a nursing 26 assistant. A certification that has been expired for a period longer than 24 months cannot be renewed and the individual must retest to re-certify to an active status.
AR Department of Human Services
Phone: 501-682-1807 Website: Visit Site Address: AR Nurse Aide Registry - Office of Long-term Care
PO Box 8059, Slot S405
Little Rock  72203-8059

Arkansas Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Instant Reporting to
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
Active licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses must complete the continuing education requirement by one of these methods prior to each bi-annual renewal.  
  1. 15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused activities, OR
  2. Hold a current nationally recognized certification/recertification, OR
  3. Completed a minimum of one college credit hour course in nursing with a grade of C or better during licensure period.
In an effort to help curtail the national epidemic of opioid abuse, new prescribing guidelines have been enacted for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Arkansas.

Act 1208 of A.C.A. §20-7-704 specifically states that all APRNs issued a certificate of prescriptive authority after December 31, 2015, shall obtain a minimum of three (3) hours of prescribing education which includes information on maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in the state within two (2) years of issuance of the prescriptive authority certificate (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section VIII, A.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete two courses, Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours) and Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse (1 contact hour).

APRNs with prescriptive authority shall complete five (5) contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the APRN’s area of certification each biennium prior to license renewal. Two (2) of the prescribing hours must contain information related to maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in Arkansas (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section III,F.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete the course Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours).
Special Requirements
In an effort to help curtail the national epidemic of opioid abuse, new prescribing guidelines have been enacted for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Arkansas.

Act 1208 of A.C.A. §20-7-704 specifically states that all APRNs issued a certificate of prescriptive authority after December 31, 2015, shall obtain a minimum of three (3) hours of prescribing education which includes information on maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in the state within two (2) years of issuance of the prescriptive authority certificate (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section VIII, A.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete two courses, Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours) and Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse (1 contact hour).

APRNs with prescriptive authority shall complete five (5) contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the APRN’s area of certification each biennium prior to license renewal. Two (2) of the prescribing hours must contain information related to maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in Arkansas (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section III,F.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete the course Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours).
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Phone: 800-462-0599 Fax: 501-686-2714 Website: Visit Site Address: 4815 W. Markham
Little Rock  72205-3867

Arkansas Certified Nurse Midwife

Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Approved Provider
#50-353
Instant Reporting to
Arkansas
Approved Provider #50-353
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
Active licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses must complete the continuing education requirement by one of these methods prior to each bi-annual renewal.  
  1. 15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused activities, OR
  2. Hold a current nationally recognized certification/recertification, OR
  3. Completed a minimum of one college credit hour course in nursing with a grade of C or better during licensure period.
In an effort to help curtail the national epidemic of opioid abuse, new prescribing guidelines have been enacted for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Arkansas.

Act 1208 of A.C.A. §20-7-704 specifically states that all APRNs issued a certificate of prescriptive authority after December 31, 2015, shall obtain a minimum of three (3) hours of prescribing education which includes information on maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in the state within two (2) years of issuance of the prescriptive authority certificate (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section VIII, A.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete two courses, Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours) and Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse (1 contact hour).

APRNs with prescriptive authority shall complete five (5) contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the APRN’s area of certification each biennium prior to license renewal. Two (2) of the prescribing hours must contain information related to maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in Arkansas (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section III,F.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete the course Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours).
Special Requirements
In an effort to help curtail the national epidemic of opioid abuse, new prescribing guidelines have been enacted for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Arkansas.

Act 1208 of A.C.A. §20-7-704 specifically states that all APRNs issued a certificate of prescriptive authority after December 31, 2015, shall obtain a minimum of three (3) hours of prescribing education which includes information on maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in the state within two (2) years of issuance of the prescriptive authority certificate (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section VIII, A.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete two courses, Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours) and Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse (1 contact hour).

APRNs with prescriptive authority shall complete five (5) contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the APRN’s area of certification each biennium prior to license renewal. Two (2) of the prescribing hours must contain information related to maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in Arkansas (ASBN Rules, Chapter 4, Section III,F.7.). In order to meet this requirement, you will need to complete the course Advanced Practice Nursing in Arkansas (2 contact hours).
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Phone: 800-462-0599 Fax: 501-686-2714 Website: Visit Site Address: 4815 W. Markham
Little Rock  72205-3867