Arkansas offers nurses three flexible options to satisfy continuing education requirements: 15 contact hours of practice-focused CE, a current national certification, or a college nursing course. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Arkansas also provides multistate licensing benefits. Here's your complete renewal guide.
Arkansas RN License Renewal Requirements Overview
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires all nurses to satisfy continuing education through one of three options every 2-year renewal cycle. The most common option is completing 15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused CE activities.
Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, allowing nurses with a multistate license to practice across all compact states without obtaining additional licenses.
What Is Required for Renewal?
For RNs (One of Three Options):
- Option 1: 15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused CE completed within the 24 months preceding renewal
- Option 2: National certification — hold a current nationally recognized nursing certification or recertification
- Option 3: College course — complete at least one college credit hour in nursing with a grade of C or better during the licensure period
- Renewal fee: $100
For LPNs:
- Same three CE compliance options as RNs
- Renewal fee: $90
For APRNs:
- Same three CE compliance options, plus any additional certification-specific requirements
- Renewal fee: $165 (includes RN renewal fee)
Important Renewal Dates
Arkansas nursing licenses are tied to your birthday:
- Deadline: Last day of your birth month every two years
- Renewal window: Opens 60 days before your license expiration date
- Grace period: There is no grace period and extensions are not permitted. Late renewal incurs a late fee and additional CE hour requirements. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Arkansas Nursing License
- Log in to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing portal. Visit healthy.arkansas.gov to access your renewal application (available 60 days before expiration).
- Select your license type and click Renew. Choose RN, LPN, or APRN.
- Attest to completing one of three CE options. You no longer need to list individual courses — simply affirm that you have met the requirement.
- Do not upload certificates unless you are notified that you have been selected for a random audit.
- Pay the renewal fee. $100 for RN, $90 for LPN, or $165 for APRN by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.
- Submit before the last day of your birth month. Late submissions result in penalties and additional CE requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting your birthday-based deadline. Unlike states with a fixed calendar date, Arkansas ties renewal to your birth month. It's easy to lose track if you're not paying attention.
- Not keeping CE records for audits. Even though you only need to attest at renewal, the Board may audit you. Keep copies of all CE certificates or certification documentation for at least 4 years.
- Using non-accredited CE providers. Your 15 contact hours must be from appropriately accredited sources. Verify the provider's accreditation before completing the course.
- Assuming the APRN fee only covers APRN renewal. The $165 APRN fee includes the RN renewal fee. You do not need to pay separately for both.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Consider national certification. If you hold a current national nursing certification, you can use it to satisfy the CE requirement entirely — no contact hours needed.
- Mark your calendar 60 days out. The renewal window opens 60 days before your birth month deadline. Set a reminder so you can submit as soon as the window opens.
- Take advantage of compact state benefits. As an NLC state, your Arkansas multistate license lets you practice in other compact states without extra licensing — great for travel nursing or telehealth.
- Let RenewRN track it for you. RenewRN can send you automatic reminders before your birthday-based deadline, track your CE hours, and keep all your credentials organized in one place.
Track Your Arkansas License with RenewRN
With a birthday-based deadline and no grace period, it's critical to stay ahead of your Arkansas renewal. RenewRN sends reminders at 90, 60, 30, 7, and 1 day before your license expires, tracks your CE completion, and helps you avoid costly late fees.