Below is exactly what Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 30, 2026
Arkansas has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 15-hour total.
These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.
Arkansas APRNs (including CRNAs) may satisfy the underlying RN CE requirement either by 15 practice-focused contact hours per biennium OR by maintenance of an ASBN-recognized national certification. NBCRNA certification satisfies the RN CE option for CRNAs.
“Hold a current nationally recognized certification/recertification”
APRNs (including CRNAs) WITH prescriptive authority must complete 5 additional pharmacotherapeutics contact hours per biennium in their specialty area; 2 of those 5 hours must cover professional boundaries, substance abuse and misuse, and prescribing rules/regulations/laws.
“Five (5) contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the APRN's area of certification each biennium prior to license renewal. Two (2) of the prescribing hours must contain information related to maintaining professional boundaries, substance abuse and misuse, prescribing rules, regulations, and laws.”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Arkansas Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.
| Credit system | Notes |
|---|---|
NBCRNA Class A | NBCRNA Class A / MAC Ed credits qualify toward the underlying RN CE. |
ANCC Contact Hour | ANCC contact hours from accredited providers qualify. |
CE is not submitted at renewal — licensee attests to compliance and retains records for board audit.
No formal waivers or exemptions are published for Arkansas.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your license anniversary renewal.
Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.
“Hold a current nationally recognized certification/recertification”ASBN Continuing Education page
“Five (5) contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the APRN's area of certification each biennium prior to license renewal. Two (2) of the prescribing hours must contain information related to maintaining professional boundaries, substance abuse and misuse, prescribing rules, regulations, and laws.”ASBN APRN Quality Assurance Plan