Known as The Natural State, Arkansas beckons nature lovers and adventurers with plush landscapes, warm temperatures, two mountain ranges, and numerous rivers, lakes, and hot springs. Nurse travelers who obtain their Arkansas nursing license can enjoy outdoor recreation throughout four distinct seasons.
If you enjoy good food, friendly people, and easy living, Arkansas may be just the place for your next assignment. It offers fun cities and towns to explore, and a low cost of living that makes it easy to stretch your travel nursing salary.
How to Apply for an Arkansas Nursing License
Registered nurses who hold a nursing license in another state must apply for Arkansas licensure by endorsement before they can begin working as a travel nurse.
5 Steps To Your Arkansas RN License:
- Create an account on the Arkansas Nurse Portal, which is maintained by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN).
- Pay the application fees for an RN license by endorsement, currently $125.
- Submit verification of current licensure to the ASBN. If you were originally licensed in one of the states listed on Nursys, you must obtain verification through Nursys. If you were originally licensed in a state that is NOT on the Nursys website, you must obtain verification by mailing the ASBN Verification Form to the licensing agency in that state.
- Verify recent employment that shows active practice in nursing, or the appropriate refresher course or other evidence as required by the board.
- Submit an application for state and federal criminal background checks by following instructions on the ASBN website’s Criminal Background Checks System.
- Earning 15 contact hours of accredited, practice-focused activities; or
- Holding a nationally recognized certification/re-certification; or
- Completing a minimum of one college credit hour course in nursing with a grade of C or better.
Arkansas is a Nurse Compact State
Arkansas has been part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) since July 1, 2000. The state legislature also ratified the updated version, often referred to as the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which went into effect on January 19, 2018.
The current compact allows for RNs or LPNs to have one multistate license, with the privilege to practice in any of the 39-plus compact member states. New provisions aligned licensing standards across all NLC states, requiring all applicants for a multistate nursing license to meet the same requirements.
You can verify whether you hold a multistate license or a single-state license at Nursys. If you do hold a multistate nursing license, you may work travel nursing jobs in Arkansas without the need for additional licensing.
How to Renew Your Arkansas Nursing License
Nurses can renew their LPN or RN license online through the Arkansas Nurse Portal, and pay the application fee by credit card.
Arkansas nursing licenses must be renewed every two years.
Are You Ready to Discover the Southern Gem?
Our recruiters can set you up in the right travel nursing jobs—including some that are exclusive to American Mobile travel nurses. Simply complete the form on the right to learn more about Arkansas travel nursing jobs.
Questions?