Criminal Background Checks
Arkansas law ACA §17-87-312 requires that each first-time applicant for a license shall have a state and national criminal background check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. If an applicant has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of any offense listed in ACA §17-3-102, he/she is not eligible for Arkansas licensure. ACA §17-3-102 provides an opportunity to request a waiver of eligibility criteria related to a criminal background in certain circumstances. Links to ACA §17-87-312 and ACA §17-3-102 can be found in the Resource section below.
General Information – Important
A state and federal criminal background check is required for all applicants for Arkansas licensure. If you have completed a criminal background check with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
within the last 12-months, you do not need to request an additional background check. Criminal background checks from other agencies, employers, and education programs are NOT accepted.
The name, date of birth and social security number you use to request a criminal background check must match the same information on your application for licensure with the board. If it does not, you may be required to complete this process again at your expense, and this will delay processing your application.
Fees associated with conducting the state and federal criminal background checks are at the applicant’s expense and are paid within this online system. A fee is required to process the state and federal criminal background checks. After submitting your request, you will receive an automatically generated email notification receipt from Arkansas GovPay, sent to the email address you provided within the request.
*All Fees Are Non Refundable
Arkansas State Resident
As an Arkansas resident, it is mandatory that your fingerprints be submitted electronically through an electronic/LiveScan process. No ink-based fingerprint cards are accepted for in-state residents. Be aware that electronic/LiveScan vendors may charge an additional fee, which you are responsible for paying.
Arkansas State Police LiveScan/Harvester locations can be found at the following link Approved Fingerprinting Locations.
Instructions for requesting a CBC as an Arkansas State Resident
- CBC Instructions: Arkansas Resident
- Create an Arkansas Nurse Portal account and complete an application for licensure, including submission of fees. The licensure application must be received prior to submitting CBC application.
- Access the CBC Challenge & Privacy Notification form within the licensure application or below under Resources. Sign, date, and upload the completed form within the application.
- Submit a request for conduction of Criminal Background Check through the following link Request for Criminal Background Check and submit required fees.
- As a reminder: Applications and fees for licensure and the criminal background are separate.
- Print the payment receipt sent
,to the email you provided within the request,to take to the LiveScan location when having fingerprints scanned. - Schedule an appointment with an approved LiveScan location from the following link Approved Fingerprinting Locations to have your fingerprints scanned.
- CBC Challenge & Privacy Notifications
Criminal Background Check System
Non-Arkansas (Out-of-State) Resident
As an out-of-state resident, you will not be able to submit electronic fingerprints, unless you travel to Arkansas. Fingerprints cannot be electronically scanned in any other state, except Arkansas. You MUST use the pre-stamped ASBN fingerprint card that is mailed to you after requesting a criminal background check. If you travel to Arkansas, you will need to schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints scanned at one of the Approved Fingerprinting Locations.
- Create an Arkansas Nurse Portal account and complete an application for licensure, including submission of fees. The licensure application must be received prior to submitting CBC application.
- Access the CBC Challenge & Privacy Notification form within the licensure application or below under Resources. Sign, date, and upload the completed form within the application.
- Submit a request for conduction of Criminal Background Check through the following link Request for Criminal Background Check and submit required fees.
- As a reminder: Applications and fees for licensure and the criminal background are separate.
- Send a message through your Nurse Portal Account Message Center, requesting an ink-based fingerprint card due to being an out-of-state resident. Use the Topic drop-down “Criminal Background Check” to send your message. The Board does NOT automatically send the card when you request a criminal background check.
- Print the payment receipt sent to the email you provided within the criminal background check request.
- Follow the Out-of-State instructions for fingerprinting and mailing CBC Fingerprint Card Completion Instruction.
- Print and take the Fingerprint Verification Form, along with the fingerprint card, to the Harvester when having ink-based fingerprints completed.
- Submit the fingerprint card and forms according to the CBC Instructions: Non-Arkansas (Out of State) Resident.
Resources
- Request for Criminal Background Check
- CBC Challenge & Privacy Notifications
- Criminal Background Frequently Asked Questions
- Criminal Background Check Instructions: Applicant is a Non-Arkansas (Out of State) Resident
- Fingerprint Card Completion Instructions
- Fingerprint Verification Form
- Criminal Background Document Information
- Approved Fingerprinting Locations
- Arkansas Nurse Practice Act Sub Chapter 3 Excerpt: Criminal Background Checks – A.C.A. § 17-87-312
- Arkansas Code Annotated Title 17 Professions, Occupations, and Businesses; Subtitle 1. Professions Generally; Chapter 3 Occupational Criminal Background Checks Excerpt: Licensing Restrictions Based on Criminal Records – A.C.A. § 17-3-102
- Non-Criminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights
Click the link to request confirmation of payment: Request Payment Confirmation Form