Arkansas Certified Nursing Assistant License
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Total Fee
$25
Processing Time
Not specified
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available
What You'll Need
- Proof of Training — Certificate of completion from your approved CNA training program.
- State Competency Exam Results — Official verification of passing your state's nurse aide competency evaluation.
- Fingerprint background check — through IdentoGO (IDEMIA)
- Application fee — $25
How to Apply
-
Complete Approved Training Program ▾Enroll in and successfully complete a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) approved by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long Term Care.
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Register for Examination ▾After completing your training, register for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) examination through Credentia, the state's official testing vendor.
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Pass NNAAP Examination ▾Successfully pass both the written/oral and the skills competency portions of the NNAAP examination administered by Credentia.
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Registry Listing & Background Check ▾Upon successful completion of the NNAAP exam, the testing vendor (Credentia) will notify the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry, and your name will be added to the official registry after any necessary background checks. No separate application is typically submitted directly to the Registry for initial listing by exam.
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Verify Registry Status ▾Once listed, you can verify your active status on the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry via the online 'Search the Nurse Aide Registry' tool, accessible from the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry (DHS OLTC) page.
Total Fee
$25
Processing Time
Not specified
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available
Transfer License
Contact the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for current transfer requirements.
Steps
-
Submit Your Application ▾Apply through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The application fee is $25.
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Provide License Verification ▾Arkansas requires official verification of your active out-of-state license. This must be sent directly to the board from your current state board or its official online verification system before your file can be considered complete.
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Provide Proof of Training ▾Certificate of completion from your approved CNA training program.
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Submit Your State Competency Exam Results ▾Official verification of passing your state's nurse aide competency evaluation.
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Complete Fingerprinting and Background Screening ▾Arkansas requires a criminal background check for all applicants. Out-of-state applicants can use IdentoGO Out-of-State Live Scan OR FD-258 hard card via mail. Completing prints outside Arkansas can add 2-4 weeks to your processing time.
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Await Board Processing ▾Plan for a processing timeline of about Not specified once your file is complete. If you need to start working immediately, most states do not offer temporary practice authorization for CNAs during the endorsement process. Contact the state nurse aide registry directly for current policies on practice authorization while your application is pending.
Total Fee
Contact board
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Keeping Your License Active
Arkansas Certified Nursing Assistant licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $25 |
| Endorsement application | $25 |
Slow Downs
Fingerprinting delays
▾
Out-of-state prints can add 2-4 weeks to your timeline.
Missing or incomplete documents
▾
Have all your documents ready before starting the application to avoid processing delays.
Application errors
▾
Double-check that your name matches across all documents exactly. Mismatches are a common reason for delays.
Questions
How much does Arkansas CNA endorsement cost?
▾
The endorsement application fee is $25. Additional costs may include background check fees.
Is a background check required?
▾
Yes, a fingerprint-based background check is required in Arkansas.
How long does it take to transfer my CNA certification to Arkansas?
▾
Most endorsement applications take 4 to 6 Weeks.
Can I start working in Arkansas while waiting?
▾
Check with the state board about temporary practice permits while your endorsement is being processed.
Board Info
Sources