How many CE hours do nurses need in Arkansas?

Registered Nurses (RN) in Arkansas need 15 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in Arkansas?

Arkansas does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Arkansas?

Nursing licenses in Arkansas must be renewed every 2 years. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.

What is the RN renewal fee in Arkansas?

The RN renewal fee in Arkansas is $100. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing portal before submitting.

When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Arkansas?

Arkansas nursing licenses are due last day of your birth month every two years.

Is Arkansas part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes. Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.

Does Arkansas require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?

No. Arkansas does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.

What license types does Arkansas regulate?

Arkansas regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN.

How many CE hours do LPNs need in Arkansas?

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Arkansas need 15 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $90.

Arkansas RN License Renewal Requirements

Name: Arkansas Nursing License Renewal
Creator: RenewRN

Verified 2026-05-13

Arkansas State Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing · Last reviewed May 13, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

As of 2026, Arkansas RNs must complete 15 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. The RN renewal fee is $100.

Get an alert if Arkansas changes a rule

We watch the Arkansasboard so you don't have to. One email, only when a CE or license rule actually changes. Not a newsletter, rare by nature, unsubscribe anytime.

Free. We only use your email for Arkansas rule alerts, and never sell it.

Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE hours (RN)	15 contact hours
Renewal fee (RN)	$100
Compact state (NLC)	Yes, NLC member · check your eligibility
License types	RN, APRN, LPN
Typical pay	See nurse salary by state

Arkansas requires nurses to satisfy continuing education through one of three options every two years: 15 contact hours of practice-focused CE, a current national nursing certification, or completion of a college-level nursing course. Licenses expire on the last day of the nurse's birth month, and the renewal window opens 60 days before expiration. Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, allowing multistate license holders to practice across compact states. There is no grace period, and late renewals incur additional fees and CE requirements.

Verified against the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-05-13. Found something off? Let me know.

Arkansas CE Audit Response Guide

Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.

Read the full Arkansas RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Arkansas Nursing License

1Log in to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing online portal at healthy.arkansas.gov
2Select your license type and click Renew (available 60 days before expiration)
3Attest that you have completed one of the three CE compliance options
4Do not upload CE certificates unless notified of audit selection
5Pay the renewal fee ($100 for RN, $90 for LPN, $165 for APRN) by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover
6Submit the application before the last day of your birth month

Visit the Arkansas State Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

Free PDF

Get the Arkansas RN renewal checklist

A one-page, board-verified checklist: every CE requirement, mandatory topic, fee, deadline, and renewal step for Arkansas. Enter your email and it downloads instantly. No account needed.

Free-CE picks every Friday + monthly digest. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

Want it tracked against your own license with reminders before each deadline? Create a free account

CE Hours by License Type

Arkansas ranks #37 of 51 for RN renewal burden, in the middle in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	15 / 2 yrs	$100
APRN	15 / 2 yrs	$165
LPN	15 / 2 yrs	$90

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts

APRN renewal in Arkansas. A conditional Pharmacotherapeutics CE (Prescriptive Authority) requirement of 5 hours applies; see the requirements table below for who it covers. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full Arkansas APRN renewal guide

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
Practice-Focused CE (Option 1)	15	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused continuing education activities completed within the 24 months preceding renewal.
National Certification (Option 2)	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	Hold a current nationally recognized nursing certification or recertification as an alternative to CE hours.
College Course (Option 3)	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	Complete a minimum of one college credit hour course in nursing with a grade of C or better during the licensure period.
Pharmacotherapeutics CE (Prescriptive Authority)	5	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete an additional 5 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics CE in their area of certification within the 2 years before renewal, on top of the general renewal requirement. 2 of the 5 hours must cover maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in Arkansas. Required only for APRNs who hold prescriptive authority. (Source: ASBN APRN renewal requirements, healthy.arkansas.gov.)

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Arkansas CNA renewal is handled by the state nurse-aide registry, not the Board of Nursing, and follows a work-hours / in-service model rather than the CE above. Check your state nurse-aide registry for CNA requirements.

Find free Arkansas CE. Verified ANCC-accredited and state-approved courses. No affiliate links, no upsells. Browse free courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: Last day of your birth month every two years
Grace Period: No grace period. Extensions of expiration dates are not permitted. A late fee and additional CE hours are required for post-expiration renewal. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• Arkansas offers three options to satisfy CE requirements: 15 contact hours, national certification, or a college course
• Licenses expire on the last day of the nurse's birth month every two years
• Renewal opens 60 days before the license expiration date
• Nurses no longer need to list individual courses. Just attest to completion at renewal
• CE certificates should be kept for at least 4 years for potential audit
• Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCState Board of Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $100
LPN: $100

Already lapsed? The Arkansas re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees are exempt for the first renewal cycle

CE Audit Information

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing conducts random CE audits; selected nurses are notified by mail to submit certificates.

Frequently asked questions about Arkansas nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in Arkansas?: Registered Nurses (RN) in Arkansas need 15 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.
What are the mandatory CE topics in Arkansas?: Arkansas does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Arkansas?: Nursing licenses in Arkansas must be renewed every 2 years. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in Arkansas?: The RN renewal fee in Arkansas is $100. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Arkansas?: Arkansas nursing licenses are due last day of your birth month every two years.
Is Arkansas part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: Yes. Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.
Does Arkansas require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. Arkansas does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does Arkansas regulate?: Arkansas regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in Arkansas?: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Arkansas need 15 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $90.
What does APRN renewal require in Arkansas?: APRNs in Arkansas complete 15 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $165. Arkansas also publishes a conditional Pharmacotherapeutics CE (Prescriptive Authority) requirement of 5 hours; see the requirements table for who it covers. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Sources & Board Resources

Arkansas State Board of Nursing

https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/nursing-arkansas-state-board/

Sources

Cite or embed this page

These Arkansas renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:

RenewRN, “Arkansas Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (May 2026), renewrn.net/states/arkansas, verified against the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

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Paste this where you want the requirement summary to appear:

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  style="border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy"
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Journalists & educators: for state-level detail, custom data cuts, or comment, contact support@renewrn.net.

Last verified 2026-05-13·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.

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More for Arkansas nurses

Arkansas RN License Renewal Requirements

Verified 2026-05-13

Arkansas State Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing · Last reviewed May 13, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

As of 2026, Arkansas RNs must complete 15 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. The RN renewal fee is $100.

Get an alert if Arkansas changes a rule

We watch the Arkansasboard so you don't have to. One email, only when a CE or license rule actually changes. Not a newsletter, rare by nature, unsubscribe anytime.

Free. We only use your email for Arkansas rule alerts, and never sell it.

Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE hours (RN)	15 contact hours
Renewal fee (RN)	$100
Compact state (NLC)	Yes, NLC member · check your eligibility
License types	RN, APRN, LPN
Typical pay	See nurse salary by state

Verified against the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-05-13. Found something off? Let me know.

Arkansas CE Audit Response Guide

Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.

Read the full Arkansas RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Arkansas Nursing License

1Log in to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing online portal at healthy.arkansas.gov
2Select your license type and click Renew (available 60 days before expiration)
3Attest that you have completed one of the three CE compliance options
4Do not upload CE certificates unless notified of audit selection
5Pay the renewal fee ($100 for RN, $90 for LPN, $165 for APRN) by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover
6Submit the application before the last day of your birth month

Visit the Arkansas State Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

Free PDF

Get the Arkansas RN renewal checklist

A one-page, board-verified checklist: every CE requirement, mandatory topic, fee, deadline, and renewal step for Arkansas. Enter your email and it downloads instantly. No account needed.

Free-CE picks every Friday + monthly digest. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

Want it tracked against your own license with reminders before each deadline? Create a free account

CE Hours by License Type

Arkansas ranks #37 of 51 for RN renewal burden, in the middle in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	15 / 2 yrs	$100
APRN	15 / 2 yrs	$165
LPN	15 / 2 yrs	$90

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
Practice-Focused CE (Option 1)	15	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused continuing education activities completed within the 24 months preceding renewal.
National Certification (Option 2)	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	Hold a current nationally recognized nursing certification or recertification as an alternative to CE hours.
College Course (Option 3)	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	Complete a minimum of one college credit hour course in nursing with a grade of C or better during the licensure period.
Pharmacotherapeutics CE (Prescriptive Authority)	5	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete an additional 5 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics CE in their area of certification within the 2 years before renewal, on top of the general renewal requirement. 2 of the 5 hours must cover maintaining professional boundaries and the prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to APRNs in Arkansas. Required only for APRNs who hold prescriptive authority. (Source: ASBN APRN renewal requirements, healthy.arkansas.gov.)

Find free Arkansas CE. Verified ANCC-accredited and state-approved courses. No affiliate links, no upsells. Browse free courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: Last day of your birth month every two years
Grace Period: No grace period. Extensions of expiration dates are not permitted. A late fee and additional CE hours are required for post-expiration renewal. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• Arkansas offers three options to satisfy CE requirements: 15 contact hours, national certification, or a college course
• Licenses expire on the last day of the nurse's birth month every two years
• Renewal opens 60 days before the license expiration date
• Nurses no longer need to list individual courses. Just attest to completion at renewal
• CE certificates should be kept for at least 4 years for potential audit
• Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCState Board of Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $100
LPN: $100

Already lapsed? The Arkansas re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees are exempt for the first renewal cycle

CE Audit Information

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing conducts random CE audits; selected nurses are notified by mail to submit certificates.

Frequently asked questions about Arkansas nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in Arkansas?: Registered Nurses (RN) in Arkansas need 15 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.
What are the mandatory CE topics in Arkansas?: Arkansas does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Arkansas?: Nursing licenses in Arkansas must be renewed every 2 years. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in Arkansas?: The RN renewal fee in Arkansas is $100. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Arkansas?: Arkansas nursing licenses are due last day of your birth month every two years.
Is Arkansas part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: Yes. Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.
Does Arkansas require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. Arkansas does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does Arkansas regulate?: Arkansas regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in Arkansas?: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Arkansas need 15 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $90.
What does APRN renewal require in Arkansas?: APRNs in Arkansas complete 15 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $165. Arkansas also publishes a conditional Pharmacotherapeutics CE (Prescriptive Authority) requirement of 5 hours; see the requirements table for who it covers. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Sources & Board Resources

Arkansas State Board of Nursing

https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/nursing-arkansas-state-board/

Sources

Cite or embed this page

These Arkansas renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:

RenewRN, “Arkansas Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (May 2026), renewrn.net/states/arkansas, verified against the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

Embed the Arkansas requirements on your site

Paste this where you want the requirement summary to appear:

<iframe src="https://www.renewrn.net/embed/states/arkansas" width="100%" height="480"
  style="border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy"
  title="Arkansas RN renewal requirements by RenewRN"></iframe>

Journalists & educators: for state-level detail, custom data cuts, or comment, contact support@renewrn.net.

Last verified 2026-05-13·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.

Don't miss your Arkansas renewal

Create a free account to track your CE and get reminders before your deadline. Setup takes 60 seconds.

Get reminders on your actual Arkansas renewal date

Create a free account

Start free View All States

Arkansas RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Arkansas Nursing License

Get the Arkansas RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Frequently asked questions about Arkansas nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other Nurse Licensure Compact states

Don't miss your Arkansas renewal

More for Arkansas nurses

Arkansas RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Arkansas Nursing License

Get the Arkansas RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Frequently asked questions about Arkansas nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other Nurse Licensure Compact states

Don't miss your Arkansas renewal

More for Arkansas nurses