ASBN – Uniformed Service Member

Uniformed Service Member

For purposes of Arkansas licensure, a uniformed service member is an individual who is currently serving in an active or reserve status in the United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Coast Guard, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Space Force, or National Guard; an active member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps; or an active or reserve member of the United States Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service.

There are several situations in which a uniformed service member would need licensure information; each situation below identifies services available in each of these circumstances.

Situation 1:

Are you a uniformed service member member and do you already have a nursing license in Arkansas?

Renewal Application Information

You will submit the appropriate Renewal Licensure Application. During the process of completing your application, you will answer an eligibility question that asks “Are you or your spouse currently an active or reserve uniformed service member or uniformed service veteran?”

You will have a choice to select either “Yes, Uniformed service member – I elect to Waive the Application fee” or “Yes, Uniformed service member – I elect to PAY the Application fee.”

You will need to upload supporting documents. Supporting documents include one of the following:

  • Copy of military Identification card; or
  • Copy of orders.

Support Services available in Situation 1:

  • Option for license renewal fee waiver;  
  • Opportunity for preferential processing during issuance of license once receipt of all required documents;
  • Opportunity for license expiration date extension for uniformed service member that is deployed outside of the state; and (Note: An Arkansas uniformed service member nurse that is being deployed outside the state can upload to nurse portal account, a request for review of expiration date extension and waiver of continuing education requirements. Also upload deployment orders.)
  • Opportunity for waiver of renewal continuing education requirements.

Situation 2:

Are you a uniformed service member and do you already have a nursing license in another state?

  • If you answer no- advance to Situation 3 below.
  • If you answered yes to both of the questions in Situation 2:
    • If your designated primary state of residence (PSOR) is a compact state and you maintain that state as your PSOR, you do not need to endorse your license to Arkansas as long as your license is an active multistate license. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are not included in the NLC. Click here for Map of Participating States.
    • If your designated (PSOR) is a non-compact state and you maintain that state as your PSOR, you will need to endorse your license to Arkansas unless you are working in a federal facility.  A nurse that works in a federal facility is exempt from licensure in Arkansas when he or she holds an active nurse license in any state.
    • If you change your designated (PSOR) to Arkansas and you wish to apply for  licensure by endorsement in Arkansas, click here for Licensure by Endorsement Instructions and note the following:

Licensure by Endorsement: Application Information

You will submit the appropriate Endorsement Application. During the process of completing your application, you will answer an eligibility question that asks “Are you or your spouse currently an active or reserve uniformed service member or uniformed service veteran?”

Please select “Yes, Uniformed service member.”

You will need to upload supporting documents. Supporting documents include one of the following:

  • Copy of military Identification card; or
  • Copy of orders.

Support Services available in Situation 2

  • Opportunity for expedited temporary permit licensure, and
  • Preferential processing during issuance of a permanent license once receipt of all required documents.

Situation 3:

Are you a recent nursing education program graduate that has not taken the licensure examination? And, are you a uniformed service member?

Licensure by Exam: Application Information

You will submit the appropriate Initial by Exam Licensure Application. During the process of completing your application you will answer an eligibility question that asks “Are you or your spouse currently an active or reserve uniformed service member or uniformed service veteran?”

Please select “Yes, Uniformed service member.”

You will need to upload supporting documents. Supporting documents include one of the following:

  • Copy of military Identification card; or
  • Copy of orders.

Uniformed Service Education, Training, Experience, or Service–Issued Credential

Arkansas State Board of Nursing allows an individual who has graduated from one of the listed military programs, to submit application and sit for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) NCLEX®. If an individual is already licensed, refer to the endorsement of a license.

  • Army Practical Nurse Program
    • Address (and satellite tracks):
      • JBSA Fort Sam Houston
        3490 Forage Ave, Suite 225
        San Antonio, TX 78234-7585
        Contact: Wilfredo E. Rivera, MAJ, AN, Deputy Director
        [email protected]
        Phone: 210.221.5848 
        Fax: 210.295.5147
        School Phone: 210.295.4395
        www.cs.amedd.army.mil
      • Air Force Nursing Services Practical Nursing Program
        Scott Air Force Base
        901 South Dr
        Scott AFB, IL 62225
        Phone: (618) 256-4241

Support Services available in Situation 3

  • Opportunity for expedited temporary permit licensure, and
  • Preferential processing during issuance of a permanent license once receipt of all required documents.

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