1. (a)

   1. (1) Standards for renewal of active licensure status. Licensees who hold an active nursing license shall:

      1. (A) Document completion of one (1) of the following during each renewal period:

2. (i) Fifteen (15) practice-focused contact hours from a nationally recognized or state continuing education approval body recognized by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing;

   1. (ii) Certification or recertification during the renewal period by a national certifying body recognized by the board; or

      1. (iii) An academic course in nursing or related field; and
      2. (B) Provide other evidence as requested by the board.
   2. (2) Effective January 1, 2010, APRNs with prescriptive authority shall complete five (5) contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the APRN’s area of certification each biennium prior to license renewal.

3. (b) Standards for nurses on inactive status. Nurses who have their license placed on inactive status have no requirements for continuing education.

   1. (c) Standards for reinstatement of active licensure status.

   2. (1) Nurses reinstating a nursing license to active status within five (5) years or less shall:

      1. (A) Document completion of the following within the past two (2) years:

         1. (i) Twenty (20) practice-focused contact hours within the past two (2) years from a nationally recognized or state continuing education approval body recognized by the board;
         2. (ii) Certification or recertification by a national certifying body recognized by the board; or
         3. (iii) An academic course in nursing or related field; and/or
      2. (B) Provide other evidence as requested by the board.

   3. (2) Nurses reinstating a nursing license to active status after greater than five (5) years shall document completion of the following:

      1. (A) Twenty (20) practice-focused contact hours within the past two (2) years from a nationally recognized or state continuing education approval body recognized by the board; or
      2. (B) Certification or recertification by a national certifying body recognized by the board; or
      3. (C) An academic course in nursing or related field; and

      4. (D)

         1. (i) Active practice of nursing for a minimum of one thousand (1,000) hours within the two (2) years immediately prior to application.
         2. (ii) Verification of employment shall be submitted; or
      5. (E) Completion of a board-approved refresher course within one (1) year of the date of application; or
      6. (F) Graduation from an approved nursing education program within one (1) year of the date of application; and

      7. (G) Provide other evidence as requested by the board.

         1. (d) Standards for reinstatement of prescriptive authority. Effective January 1, 2010, APRNs whose prescriptive authority is inactive shall complete five (5) contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education in the APRN’s area of certification for each twelve (12) months of nonprescribing activity in addition to the five (5) contact hours required for APRN license renewal, as noted in 17 CAR § 123-207(h), prior to reactivation of prescriptive authority.

4. (e) The board may issue a temporary permit to a nurse during the time enrolled in a board-approved nursing refresher course or an employer competency orientation program upon submission of:

   1. (1) An application;
   2. (2) Fees; and
   3. (3) Verification of enrollment in such program.
5. (f) Continuing education hours beyond the required contact hours shall not be carried over to the next renewal period.

Codification Notes: “APRN” means advanced practice registered nurse.