(a) Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 17-4-101 et seq., the following rules apply to licensure for uniformed service members, uniformed service veterans, and their spouses for licensure 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) Automatic certified nursing assistant licensure.

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

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

   1. (A) Completion of an application with all required forms;
   2. (B) Submission of DD 214/DD-214/separation documents;
   3. (C) Submission of DMS-798, Interstate Transfer Form/CNA Reg. Exemption/Reciprocity Request;
   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 a nursing assistant in another state, territory, or district of the United States that meets federal guidelines; and
2. (2) A holder in good standing with certified nursing assistant licensure within a similar scope of practice by another state, territory, or district of the United States.

(d) Temporary or provisional certified nursing assistant licensure.

1. (1) A temporary or provisional certified nursing assistant licensure will be granted to a uniformed service member, or their spouse, or a uniformed service veteran, or their spouse, while expediting full licensure when considering an application for initial licensure.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The Department of Human Services will consider education, training, national certification, experience, and service-issued credentials of uniformed service members and uniformed service veterans that are applying for initial certified nursing assistant licensure.
   2. (B) The following criteria will be classified as meeting service education, training, national certification, experience, and credentials:

(i) Ninety (90) hours of approved education, training, or experience in healthcare; or

1. (ii) Passing the Arkansas nurse aide testing with three (3) given attempts within one hundred eighty (180) days post application.

(e) Extension of license expiration and continuing education requirements for uniformed service members, uniformed service veterans, and their spouses. The department will extend the expiration date and any continuing education requirements for certified nursing assistant licensure renewal for a deployed uniformed service member or their spouse as follows:

1. (1) An extension of the expiration date of a certified nursing assistant licensure for one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the uniformed service member’s return from deployment; and

2. (2)

   1. (A) An extension from continuing education requirements for one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the uniformed service member or from the uniformed service member’s return from deployment.
   2. (B) The department may require evidence of completion of continuing education before granting a subsequent certified nursing assistant licensure or authorizing the renewal of a certified nursing assistant licensure to allow full or partial exemption from continuing education requirements.

(f)

1. (1) Uniformed service members, veterans, and spouses who successfully meet the criteria and standards within the provisions shall be placed on the Certified Nursing Assistant/Employment Clearance Registry and issued a state certificate.
2. (2) Information regarding military member licensure can be found on the Department of Human Services-Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance website.