LPN/LVN work list: Arkansas

Moved here from another compact state? NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.” The endorsement steps are below.

NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

1. Confirm your licence is multistate

   Look yourself up on Nursys QuickConfirm. NCSBN: “If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.”

   NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

   Source quotation

   If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.

   nursecompact.com · NCSBN

2. Your home state is where you legally live

   Only the compact state you actually live in can issue your multistate licence. NCSBN: “If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.”

   NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

   Source quotation

   If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.

   nursecompact.com · NCSBN

3. Practise as an LPN/LVN on the privilege

   NCSBN defines the privilege to practise as the authority “permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state”.

   NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

   Source quotation

   permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state

   nursecompact.com · NCSBN

4. What Arkansas’s record says about working here on a multistate licence

   Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here

   Conditions & source context

   A valid eligible RN/LPN-VN home-state multistate license is generally sufficient for legal practice in other party states. This is licensure authorization only; state practice laws, individual restrictions, contract/employer eligibility and facility rules remain separate.

   State Board of Nursing · healthy.arkansas.gov · checked 10 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   Under mutual recognition, a nurse may practice across state lines unless otherwise restricted.

   healthy.arkansas.gov · State Board of Nursing

If you move for good, not just for a contract: NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.”

NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

1. Check you qualify for endorsement

   • Same-license-type out-of-state licensure

     Detail

     Apply in Arkansas for the same RN or LPN license type held in another jurisdiction. The endorsement route is not for new graduates seeking initial licensure by examination and not for Arkansas renewal.

   • Complete application, required documents and fee

     Detail

     No application is complete until all required documentation and fees are received. Completed applications are valid for one year from submission. A valid U.S. Social Security number is required.

   • Original-state license verification

     Detail

     Verification from the original licensing state is required. Use Nursys if the original state participates; otherwise print the ASBN verification form for the original licensing agency to return directly to ASBN.

   • Inactive-practice exception over five years

     Detail

     If not engaged in active nursing practice for greater than five years, complete an ASBN-approved refresher within one year before applying, or graduate from an approved nursing program within one year before applying; provide other evidence as requested by the Board. Board defines active practice as compensated acts within authorized scope.

   • State and federal criminal background checks

     Detail

     Applicants must submit the state and federal checks separately from the licensure application. Offenses listed under Ark. Code Ann. §17-3-102 may disqualify; the Board describes a waiver opportunity in certain circumstances.

   • Compact primary-state limitation

     Detail

     The Board says a nurse whose primary state of residence is a compact state and who holds an active multistate license there cannot be issued a separate Arkansas license.

   Conditions & source context

   Structured RN/LPN requirements are bound to their current Board endorsement pages and current Rule Part 121. Internationally educated RN endorsement is a separate pathway; the summary does not cover it.

   State Board of Nursing · healthy.arkansas.gov · checked 10 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   This License Application by endorsement is for a nurse who holds a license in another jurisdiction and is applying for licensure in Arkansas jurisdiction for the same license type.

   healthy.arkansas.gov · State Board of Nursing

2. Pay the application fee

   Per

   application

   Non-refundable

   Yes

   License types

   • RN
   • LPN

   Also payable

   • RN endorsement application fee

     Amount

     125

   • LPN endorsement application fee

     Amount

     125

   • Optional temporary permit

     Amount

     30

   • State and federal background-check fees, applicant-paid

   Conditions & source context

   Current Board fee table columns list RN, APRN, RNP, LPN; RN and LPN endorsement applications are $125 each. Fees are nonrefundable. Optional temporary permit is a separate $30 fee; state/FBI check charges are applicant-paid but amount is not published in this table.

   State Board of Nursing · healthy.arkansas.gov · checked 10 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   License/Cert By Endorsement $125.00 — — $125.00

   healthy.arkansas.gov · State Board of Nursing

3. Fingerprints and background check

   Required

   Yes

   State check

   Yes

   FBI check

   Yes

   Fingerprints

   Yes

   From out of state

   Out-of-state residents cannot submit electronic fingerprints unless traveling to Arkansas; the Board says to use the pre-stamped ASBN fingerprint card mailed after a separate background-check request. Background-check charges are paid separately by the applicant; amount not established.

   Conditions & source context

   Both checks are required; background fees are applicant-paid and their amount remains unknown. Out-of-state fingerprint process is included exactly as Board-published.

   State Board of Nursing · healthy.arkansas.gov · checked 10 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   A state and federal criminal background check is required for all applicants for Arkansas licensure.

   healthy.arkansas.gov · State Board of Nursing

4. Temporary permit to start sooner

   Available

   Yes

   Type

   RN/LPN endorsement temporary permit

   One time

   Yes

   Renewable

   No

   Duration months max

   6

   Fee

   30

   Eligibility

   Board may issue to a qualified applicant holding an unencumbered active license from another jurisdiction; all other licensure qualifications must be met.

   Conditions & source context

   The RN and LPN endorsement pages each describe a one-time permit. Current Part 121 supplies the discretionary issuance condition and six-month nonrenewable maximum. This claim is endorsement-only; examination permit timing and triggers remain separate.

   State Board of Nursing · healthy.arkansas.gov · checked 10 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   A one-time temporary permit may be issued to a qualified applicant who holds an unencumbered active license from another jurisdiction.

   healthy.arkansas.gov · State Board of Nursing

5. Continuing education you will owe at renewal

   • RN

     CE option (hours)

     15

     Requirement

     During each renewal period, complete one option: 15 practice-focused contact hours approved by a nationally recognized or state CE body recognized by ASBN; certification or recertification during the renewal period by a Board-recognized national certifying body; or an academic course in nursing or a related field.

     When required

     Each renewal period

   • LPN

     CE option (hours)

     15

     Requirement

     During each renewal period, complete one option: 15 practice-focused contact hours approved by a nationally recognized or state CE body recognized by ASBN; certification or recertification during the renewal period by a Board-recognized national certifying body; or an academic course in nursing or a related field.

     When required

     Each renewal period

   Conditions & source context

   Fifteen contact hours are one of three renewal options. Inactive licenses and qualifying first renewals have separate exceptions.

   State administrative code · healthy.arkansas.gov · checked 10 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   Document completion of one (1) of the following during each renewal period: (i) Fifteen (15) practice-focused contact hours from a nationally recognized or state continuing education approval body recognized by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing; (ii) Certification or recertification during the renewal period by a national certifying body recognized by the board; or (iii) An academic course in nursing or related field;

   healthy.arkansas.gov · State administrative code

6. Confirm the rest on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing site

   Our Arkansas record has nothing sourced for LPN/LVNs on: where to apply, licence verification, any jurisprudence exam, other state-specific requirements, processing time. Get those from the board directly: healthy.arkansas.gov.

   State Board of Nursing · healthy.arkansas.gov · checked 10 Oct 2026