Exam Info>>Apply to Test>>Arkansas

NCLEX Forms for Arkansas

RN and LPN Licensure by Examination online application: (Applicant must first register with the Arkansas Nursing Portal)
Arkansas Licensure Application Signup

Fee: $100.00

Fee with Temporary Permit Request: $130 ($100.00 + $30.00 for temporary permit)

All fees are non-refundable.

Highlights:

Application forms for the state of Arkansas should be submitted online at the link given above.

To submit the application you will need a physical mailing address and a valid email address.

Submitting the application for licensure by examination does NOT register you for the exam. Applicants must register and pay separately for the exam by going to: www.pearsonvue.com.

The state of Arkansas requires that a criminal background check and a fingerprint card be completed and processed prior to taking the exam and issuing the license. Criminal background checks may take up to 2-4 months to process.

Arkansas has three testing sites – Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Texarkana.

Candidates for Arkansas licensure may take the examination an unlimited number of times.

As part of the application process, you must:

Register with Pearson Vue to take the exam before filling out the application. If you submit your ASBN Licensure by Examination application prior to registering with Pearson VUE, it will not be processed until you are registered with Pearson VUE.
Request verification that you completed a nursing program. The nursing director of your nursing education program must verify your graduation after you complete the program. Verification must be sent by your nursing school directly to the Board of Nursing
Request an official school transcript. The transcript must be submitted to the ASBN office prior to release of your examination results and issuance of a license. The transcript should be sent by your nursing school directly to the Board of Nursing.
Complete the Criminal Background Check form. The form is contained within the online application process. Payment of the background check fee is also done online as part of the application process. Background checks from other agencies will NOT be accepted.
Complete a fingerprint card and mail it to the Arkansas State Police Department.

About the Fingerprinting Process:
You can obtain an ASBN (Arkansas Board of Nursing) fingerprint card from your school or request one during the online application process. The card will be mailed to you.
Only the exact fingerprint card given to you must be used. You may not substitute it with another card.

Important: When you complete the online application process, a payment summary page will display. You must print this page since it contains theINA Search ID number. You will need this number to fulfill the fingerprinting requirement.
Print/write (legibly) the INA Search ID number in the upper right hand corner of the fingerprint card in the box marked "FBI Leave Blank"; or "Leave Blank".

Have fingerprints done by properly trained personnel. There may be a fee involved.

The Arkansas State Police ID Bureau in Little Rock on Geyer Springs Road at I-30 will collect your fingerprints free of charge Monday - Friday, 0800 – 1630.
Send the completed fingerprint card to the Arkansas State Police Department.
Arkansas State Police
Criminal Background Check
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock AR 72209

DO NOT bend or fold the FBI fingerprint card.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CONTACT THE ARKANSAS STATE POLICE OR THE FBI ABOUT THE STATUS OF YOUR CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

About Temporary Permits:

Both RN and LPN applicants may request a temporary permit. A temporary permit allows you to practice nursing until the results of the NCLEX are available.

Temporary permits are only issued within 90 days of nursing education program completion.
The temporary permit will not be issued until you have registered with the testing vendor (Pearson VUE).
The temporary permit will not be issued until your state and federal criminal background check results are reviewed and are clear.
The temporary permit is valid for 90 days or until receipt of examination results.
Temporary permits cannot be reissued or extended.

Need More Information?

Access the site for the Arkansas Board of Nursing here: Arkansas Board of Nursing