Who Is Eligible For Endorsement?

• RN and LPN graduates of state Board approved schools of nursing who have passed the NCLEX, provided they are otherwise qualified.
• Persons who have completed a portion of an RN education program and hold LPN licensure in other jurisdictions, provided they are otherwise qualified.
• RN examination failures: Graduates of Board-approved RN programs holding LPN licensure by examination in other jurisdictions. Provided they are otherwise qualified.
• Canadian Registered Nurses licensed by NLN State Board Test Pool Examination in the following provinces during the years indicated: Alberta, 1952-1970; British Columbia, 1949-1970; Manitoba, 1955-1970; Newfoundland, 1961-1970; Nova Scotia, 1955-1970; Prince Edward Island, 1956-1970; Quebec (English language), 1959-1970; Saskatchewan, 1956-1970, provided they are otherwise qualified.
• LPTN endorsement applicants from California and Kansas only, provided they are otherwise qualified.
• Internationally educated nurses licensed in another jurisdiction who can validate that their foreign nursing education program was "substantially similar" to Arkansas nursing programs via an official transcript from their nursing education program and who have passed NCLEX, provided they are otherwise qualified.

Disclaimer:

The ASBN may deny licensure to candidates who have had a license revoked, suspended, or placed on probation and not reinstated in other jurisdictions. The ASBN may also deny licensure to candidates who have been convicted of a crime.

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing may issue a temporary permit to a qualified applicant who holds a current license from another jurisdiction. This permit allows the applicant to practice nursing while awaiting endorsement.

The temporary permit is valid under a 6 month period and may not be reissued. Permits are not issued on a walk-in basis. All correspondence will be mailed to the address on the application. If a change in address occurs, it is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Board office.

Renewals

• The Arkansas State Board of Nursing renews licenses on a staggered biennial birth date system. The first license may be valid from 91 days to two years depending upon one’s birth date.
• Renewal applications are mailed out at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date to the last known address of the nurse.
• A late fee is assessed if the license is not renewed before the expiration date.
• Persons practicing nursing with an expired or lapsed license shall be considered an illegal practitioner and shall be subject to penalties for violation of the Nurse Practice Act.

Inactive Licenses

• Persons who decide to retire from nursing or move to another state may place their licenses on an inactive status by submitting a written request to the ASBN office.
• If a person decides to re-enter nursing practice in Arkansas, he or she must submit a renewal application, along with a reinstatement fee and a renewal fee.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NURSE TO
NOTIFY THE ASBN IN WRITING OF ADDRESS CHANGES.

For detailed information about licensure fees click here to view the Rules and Regulations, Chapter 8, Fees.