Arkansas
Compact StateNursing Continuing Education Requirements
Arkansas Nursing CEU Overview
Arkansas requires registered nurses to complete 15 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. CE requirements apply to all renewal periods, including the first renewal after initial licensure.
Arkansas does not require specific mandatory topics. Nurses have flexibility to choose CE courses that align with their practice area and professional development goals.
All continuing education hours may be completed online through approved providers. Always verify course accreditation with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing before enrolling.
Nursing in Arkansas
Arkansas has approximately 42,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 3 million. The state faces persistent nursing shortages, particularly in the Delta region and rural western counties. Major employers include the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, Baptist Health, and Mercy Health System. The nursing workforce is concentrated in the Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas metropolitan areas.
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires nurses to practice a minimum of 200 hours in nursing or complete 15 contact hours of continuing education, or a combination of both, within each renewal period. This practice hour option recognizes that active nursing practice itself provides ongoing learning opportunities and competency maintenance.
Common Practice Settings in Arkansas
Critical Access Hospitals
Arkansas has numerous critical access hospitals in rural areas where nurses handle diverse patient populations with limited specialist support.
Community Health Centers
Federally qualified health centers throughout Arkansas serve uninsured and underinsured populations, employing nurses in primary care roles.
Home Health
Home health agencies serve patients throughout the state, with nurses traveling significant distances in rural areas.
Arkansas License Renewal Tips
Track your practice hours carefully if using them to meet renewal requirements.
Keep employer verification letters documenting your nursing practice hours.
If combining practice hours and CE, ensure you understand the calculation formula.
Complete CE through ANCC-accredited or Arkansas Board of Nursing approved providers.
Nurse Licensure Compact in Arkansas
Arkansas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Nurses residing in Arkansas can obtain a multistate license allowing practice in other compact states. This is valuable for nurses near border cities like Texarkana or West Memphis who may work in neighboring states.
Learn more about the Nurse Licensure Compact →Basic License Types
Registered Nurse (RN)
Contact Hours
15
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- 15 contact hours every 2 years required - OR one of these alternatives:.
- Alternative 1: Hold current nationally recognized certification/recertification.
- Alternative 2: Complete 1+ college credit hour in nursing with grade C or better.
- APRNs with prescriptive authority need additional 5 hours in pharmacotherapeutics.
LPN/LVN
Contact Hours
15
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- 15 contact hours every 2 years required - OR one of these alternatives:.
- Alternative 1: Hold current nationally recognized certification/recertification.
- Alternative 2: Complete 1+ college credit hour in nursing with grade C or better.
APRN (General)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current national certification
Advanced Practice Specialties
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC or AANP certification
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC certification in specialty area
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current AMCB certification
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current NBCRNA certification
Arkansas requires 15 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared to neighboring states, Missouri has no general CE requirement, while Tennessee has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Arkansas allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Related Resources
Track Your CEUs
Log your completed courses and monitor progress toward Arkansas requirements.
Start Tracking →Compare State Requirements
See how Arkansas compares to other states' nursing CE requirements.
Compare States →Arkansas State Board of Nursing
(501) 686-2700
1123 S University Avenue, Suite 800, Little Rock, AR 72204
Important Disclaimer
Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Arkansas Board of Nursing before making decisions about your continuing education.