1. (a) Applicability. This section applies to:

   1. (1) A uniformed service member stationed in the State of Arkansas;
   2. (2) A uniformed service veteran who resides in or establishes residency in the State of Arkansas; and

   3. (3) The spouse of subdivision (a)(1) or subdivision (a)(2) of this section including a uniformed service member who is:

      1. (A) Assigned a tour of duty that excludes the spouse from accompanying the uniformed service member and the spouse relocates to Arkansas; or
      2. (B) Killed or succumbed to his or her injuries or illness in the line of duty if the spouse establishes residency in Arkansas.
2. (b) Automatic licensure. Automatic licensure shall be granted to persons listed in subdivision (a)(1) of this section if the person is a holder in good standing of occupational licensure with similar scope of practice issued by another state, territory, or district of the United States.
3. (c) Credit toward initial licensure. Relevant and applicable uniformed service education, training, or service-issued credentials shall be accepted toward initial licensure for a uniformed service member or a uniformed service veteran who makes an application within one (1) year of his or her discharge from uniformed service.

4. (d) Expiration dates and continuing education.

   1. (1) A license expiration date shall be extended for a deployed uniformed service member or spouse for one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the uniformed service member's return from deployment.
   2. (2) A uniformed service member or spouse shall be exempt from continuing education requirements in 17 CAR § 47-203(b)(4) for one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the uniformed service member's return from deployment.
   3. (3) Any uniformed service member or spouse exercising the exemption shall provide evidence of completion of continuing education before renewal or grant of a subsequent license.

5. (e) The Department of Health shall grant such automatic licensure upon receipt of all of the below:

   1. (1) Evidence that the individual holds a substantially equivalent license in another state;
   2. (2) Evidence that the applicant is a qualified applicant under subsection (a) of this section;

   3. (3)

      1. (A) The applicant shall hold his or her occupational licensure in good standing.
      2. (B) The applicant shall not have had a license revoked for:

6. (i) An act of bad faith; or

   1. (ii) A violation of:
7. (a) (a) Law;

8. (b) (b) Rule; or

   1. (c) (c) Ethics.

      1. (C) The applicant shall not hold a suspended or probationary license in a United States jurisdiction;
   2. (4) A completed application, provided by the department;

   3. (5) A passport-style and passport-size photo of the applicant, head and shoulders:

      1. (A) Taken within sixty (60) prior to the submission date of the application; and
      2. (B) Attached to the application;

   4. (6)

      1. (A) If applicable, documentation that applicant holds an MBC issued by NARM.

      2. (B) Documentation may be received in the form of a:

         1. (i) Verification letter directly from the certifying body; or
         2. (ii) Notarized copy of the applicant’s certificate; and

   5. (7)

      1. (A) A list on the application form of all current professional health-related licensure, including from other jurisdictions.
      2. (B) The department may request verification.
9. (f) All applicants who are licensed pursuant to this section must adhere to all LLM protocols as outlined in this part.

Codification Notes: "LLM" means licensed lay midwife. "MBC" means midwifery bridge certificate. "NARM" means North American Registry of Midwives.