Arkansas Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide

Nurses currently make up the largest workforce in the healthcare sector, and new roles are constantly being established to meet the demands of patient care. To ensure that these roles are well-defined and regulated, each state oversees its own set of laws that govern everything related to the nursing profession. In Arkansas, Nurse Practice Act (NPA) provisions serve as the legal guidelines that nurses must follow to meet standards of care and keep patients safe.

As a facility leader, you may be looking for resources to help you understand the NPA and enforce appropriate care protocols. To help break this information down, we’ll provide an overview of the Arkansas NPA and share tips on how to promote compliance among your staff.

Arkansas State Nurse Practice Act at a Glance

The Arkansas NPA is enforced and maintained by the state’s board of nursing (BON). These provisions define nursing roles, professional standards, and scope of practice guidelines, which we’ll broadly summarize in the table below.

Arkansas Administrative Code:

Steps to Receive Licensure by Examination:

1. Graduate from an accredited nursing program and submit proof to the Arkansas BON.
2. Submit a licensure application via the Arkansas BON portal.
3. Pay all application fees.
4. Submit a background check and fingerprints.
5. Register for, and pass, the NCLEX exam.

Steps to Receive Licensure by Endorsement:

1. Submit an endorsement application via the Arkansas BON portal.
2. Pay all application fees.
3. Sign up for and verify licensure through NURSYS.
4. Submit a background check and fingerprints.

• The observation, care, and counsel of the ill, injured, or infirm.
• The maintenance of health or prevention of illness of others.
• The supervision and teaching of other personnel.
• The delegation of certain nursing practices to other personnel as set forth in rules established by the board.
• The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by practitioners authorized to prescribe and treat in accordance with state law.

• Only delegate tasks that fall under the framework of their job description and scope of practice for assistive personnel.
• Appropriately assess a patient’s needs before delegating a task to assistive personnel, with the exception of tasks that clearly fall under their scope of practice (e.g., taking vital signs).
• Determine the degree of supervision required for delegated tasks.
• Assume full responsibility for any nursing care that is delegated to assistive personnel.

• Selling or fraudulently obtaining any nursing diploma, license, renewal, or record.
• Practicing nursing under a fraudulent diploma, license, or record.
• Falsely using nursing titles, names, or initials without being properly licensed or credentialed.
• Practicing nursing under a suspended license.
• Administering a nursing education program that has not been approved by the BON.
• Any other violations of the NPA or BON rules.

Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities

Facility leaders must take appropriate measures to enforce the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act and hold staff accountable for the care that they provide. Follow these tips to help your nursing staff meet all professional standards and build a better culture of safety.

1. Stay Informed About Changes to the NPA

Nursing regulations can change quite frequently, and it’s important for both facility leaders and staff to stay on top of regulatory updates. By staying informed about the Nurse Practice Act, Arkansas facility leaders can shape more effective and accurate institutional care protocols. Staff should be regularly trained about these protocols and given clear steps for identifying, reporting, and addressing any incidents that occur on the floor.

2. Verify Credentials During the Hiring Process

The Arkansas NPA clearly prohibits individuals from using fraudulent nursing credentials. To protect your facility and patients from fake nurses, it’s important to thoroughly screen applicants during the hiring process. Take steps to verify the credentials of your candidates and watch out for resume red flags, such as non-accredited nursing schools. You can report any suspicious behavior or possible fraud by submitting a complaint to the Arkansas BON.

3. Send Out License Renewal Reminders

In Arkansas, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), RNs, and APRNs must renew their licenses every two years and complete continuing education (CE) requirements prior to each renewal. Sending out regular reminders will help your staff maintain an active license and prevent unlawful nursing practice. You can find all Arkansas nursing renewal requirements and a list of accredited CE programs on the Arkansas BON’s website.

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Legal Disclaimer: This article contains general legal information, but it is not intended to constitute professional legal advice for any particular situation and should not be relied on as professional legal advice. Any references to the law may not be current, as laws regularly change through updates in legislation, regulation, and case law at the federal and state level. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship. If you have legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.