Advanced Practice Information
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are registered nurses who have been educated beyond the requirements for a registered nurse in one of the four roles of advanced practice nurses – Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
Licensure
- Initial APRN Application Checklist
- Endorsement APRN Checklist
- Advanced Practice Licensure Verification Form – Endorsement
- Verification of RN Practice Hours
Laws & Rules
Full Independent Practice
Act 412 of 2021 allows a pathway for certified nurse practitioners (CNPs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNS) to apply for full independent practice after having practiced 6,240 hours under a collaborative practice agreement.
Applications shall be submitted through the Arkansas Nurse Portal. Once all required documents have been received, applications will be sent for review by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee (FIPCC). The FIPCC will meet at least quarterly to review all applications.
Instructions to Access the Application:
- Sign in to Arkansas Nurse Portal account: Arkansas Nurse Portal
- Scroll down to the “Other Applications” section.
- Click the “Apply” button.
- Click on Full Practice Authority for CNPs
- Complete the application by following instructions.
- Upload any required documents.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Submit completed and notarized Practice Hours Affidavit (signed by collaborating physician(s))
- Evidence of five (5) advanced pharmacology continuing education hours obtained within the last two (2) years.
- Resume or curriculum vitae showing past work history as an APRN.
- Click submit.
- Pay required fee
- After submission, ASBN staff will review the application for all required documents. Requests for additional information or documents will be requested through the Arkansas Nurse Portal Message Center.
- The Full Practice Authority Credentialling Committee meets quarterly to review applications. Once the application has been approved or denied, the APRN will receive a letter from the committee through the Nurse Portal Message Center.
- Until approval has been received, the APRN is required to maintain a current collaborative practice agreement.
Full Independent Practice Renewals
Certificates of Full Independent Practice must be renewed every three (3) years. Renewal applications are accepted six (6) months prior to expiration to ensure timely review by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee (FIPCC). It is imperative that APRNs who hold full independent practice submit their applications promptly to prevent a lapse in their Certificate of Full Independent Practice.
Applications can be found in the Nurse Portal under “Other Applications.” Select the “Full Practice Authority Renewal.” Complete the application, submit, and pay the required fee.
After your renewal application is reviewed, you will receive a message through the Nurse Portal Message Center telling you when your application will be taken to the FIPCC for review. After review, you will receive a new certificate within 1-2 weeks after the meeting.
