067.00.94 Ark. Code R. 004 - Chapter 2 - Registered Nurse Licensure

SECTION I LICENSURE AS A REGISTERED NURSE

A. QUALIFICATIONS

1. Good moral character.

2. Completion of an approved high school course of study or the equivalent as determined by the appropriate educational agency.

3. Completion of the required approved professional nursing education program.

4. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing may refuse to admit to the examination any candidate and refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration to any applicant if the license, certificate or registration of such person has been revoked or suspended or placed on probation and not reinstated by the jurisdiction which took such action.

B. EXAMINATION

1. Eligibility

The applicant must meet the licensure requirements of the Board.

2. Application

a. Applications for examination must be completed, certified and filed with the Board prior to the examination.

b. Two 2x3-inch photographs, signed by the applicant, must be filed with the application.

c. Examination applications shall be notarized. The application shall not be acceptable if the director or dean of an educational program has certified the applicant prior to date of completion of program.

3. Admission

At least seven (7) days prior to the examination, the applicant will be mailed an admission card which must be presented at the door of the examination room.

4. Fee

a. The examination fee must accompany the application.

b. The fee for taking the examination must be submitted with the application prior to the examination date.

c. The examination fee (first time or retake) is not refundable.

5. Passing Score

The passing score on the licensure examination for professional nurses shall be determined by the Board in accordance with national standards.

6. Failing Score and Eligibility to Retake the Examination

a. Any applicant whose score falls below the passing score shall fail the examination.

b. Persons failing the examination will be responsible for preparing to retake the examination.

7. Licensure examination results are mailed to all applicants and to their respective schools.

C. ENDORSEMENT

1. Qualifications

a. An applicant for licensure by endorsement must meet the requirements of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing at the time of graduation if the Board so recommends.

b. An applicant licensed in another state after January 1950 must have taken a state board registered nurse licensing examination and achieved a passing score.

2. Application

a. Applications must be completed, certified, accompanied by a 2x3-inch photograph signed by the applicant, and filed with the Board.

b. Endorsement certification will be accepted from the state of original licensure only.

3. Fee

a. The licensure/endorsement fee must accompany the application.

b. The fee is not refundable.

SECTION II LICENSURE OF FOREIGN EDUCATED NURSES

An applicant from a foreign country must meet the educational requirements for licensure in Arkansas at the time he or she graduated from a school of nursing.

1. The applicant must present evidence of:

a. Graduation from a secondary school (high school-1 2 grades total) or the equivalent.

b. Graduation from an approved or accredited school of nursing.

c. Licensure in country of graduation, or proof of eligibility for licensure.

d. Theory and practice in medical, surgical, pediatric, obstetrical, and psychiatric nursing.

e. Ability to write, speak and understand English.

2. All transcripts and certificates which are not in the English language must be accompanied by a certified translation.

3. The applicant shall take the licensure examination if the Board so directs.

4. Credentials shall be evaluated prior to submission of application and fee.

SECTION III TEMPORARY PERMIT

A. EXAMINATION APPLICANT

1. The Board may issue a temporary permit to practice professional nursing to a qualified applicant who has completed an approved program in professional nursing and who has applied for or is awaiting the results of the first examination he/she is eligible to take.

2. The temporary permit shall become invalid upon notification of the results of the examination.

B. ENDORSEMENT APPLICANT

The Board may issue a temporary permit to a qualified applicant holding a current registered nurse license from another state or territory. This permit must have an issuance date and a date when it shall become invalid, a period not exceeding ninety (90) days.

C. FEES AND APPLICATIONS

The temporary permit fee must be submitted with the application. The fee is not refundable.

SECTION IV RENEWALS

A. BIENNIAL RENEWAL OF LICENSE

1. Each person licensed under the provisions of the Nurse Practice Act shall renew biennially.

2. Thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date, the Board shall mail a renewal application to the last known address of each nurse to whom a license was issued and/or renewed during the current period.

3. The application must be completed before renewal license is processed.

4. The fee for renewal must accompany the application. The fee is not refundable.

B. REINSTATEMENT OF LICENSE

1. The license is lapsed if not renewed by the expiration date.

2. An application for reinstatement of license must be completed.

3. Any licensee who allows his/her license to lapse by failing to renew the license as provided above may be reinstated by the Board upon payment of the renewal fee plus a penalty. Any person practicing nursing during the time his or her license has lapsed shall be considered an illegal practitioner and shall be subject to the penalties provided for violation of the Nurse Practice Act.

4. An inactive nurse whose license is lapsed shall not be required to pay the renewal fee so long as he/she remains inactive. Should the nurse wish to resume nursing, he/she shall request the proper renewal application from this office. Fees are not prorated.

SECTION V DUPLICATE LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE

A. DUPLICATE LICENSE

1. A duplicate license may be issued when the licensee submits a notarized statement to the Board that the license is lost, stolen, or destroyed.

2. The license will be marked "duplicate" and date of issuance noted.

B. DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE

1. A duplicate certificate of licensure may be issued when the licensee submits a notarized statement to the Board that the original certificate of licensure is lost, stolen, or destroyed.

2. The certificate will be marked "duplicate" and date of issuance noted.

SECTION VI CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION TO ANOTHER JURISDICTION

A registered nurse wishing to be licensed in another state may have a certified statement of Arkansas licensure issued to the Board of Nursing in that state.

SECTION VII NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGE

A. The licensee must provide evidence (affidavit, copy of marriage license or court action) regarding change of name.

B. It is the responsibility of the licensee to keep the Board informed of the current address.

Notes

067.00.94 Ark. Code R. 004

2/28/1994