(a) Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 17-4-101 et seq., this section applies to licensure for uniformed service members, uniformed service veterans, and their spouses as defined below:

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:

   1. (A) A uniformed service member stationed in the State of Arkansas;
   2. (B) A uniformed service veteran who resides in or establishes residency in the State of Arkansas;
   3. (C) A uniformed service member who is assigned a tour of duty that excludes the uniformed service member's spouse from accompanying the uniformed service member, and the spouse relocates to this state; and
   4. (D) A uniformed service member who is killed or succumbs to their injuries or illness in the line of duty if the spouse establishes residency in the state.

(b)

1. (1)

   1. (A) Automatic nursing home administrator (NHA) licensure will be provided to current license holders to expedite their entry into the workforce of this state by means of reciprocity.
   2. (B) Reciprocity may be granted without further training or testing.

2. (2) The process of reciprocity includes the following:

   1. (A) Completion of an application prescribed by the Department of Human Services with all required forms;
   2. (B) Submission of DD214/DD 214 separation document;
   3. (C) Submission of DMS-7790, Application for Nursing Home Administrators;
   4. (D) Submission of an image or copy of individual’s Social Security card;
   5. (E) Submission of an image or copy of valid United States Government-issued photo identification; and
   6. (F) Proof of service education, training, experience, and service-issued credentials by means of a joint service transcript.

(c) Reciprocity is granted to those who meet the following criteria:

1. (1) Completion of a training and competency evaluation program to become registered as an NHA in another state, territory, or district of the United States that meets federal guidelines; and
2. (2) A holder in good standing with NHA licensure within a similar scope of practice by another state, territory, or district of the United States.

(d) Temporary or provisional certified NHA licensure.

1. (1) A temporary or provisional NHA license will be granted to a uniformed service member or uniformed service veteran or their spouse while expediting full licensure.
2. (2) The department will take into consideration the education, training, national certification, experience, and service-issued credentials of uniformed service members and uniformed service veterans or their spouse that are applying for initial NHA licensure.