Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee
The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee was created by Act 412 of 2021. This legislation provides a pathway to full practice authority for Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNP). The Committee accomplishes this by reviewing the applications submitted by CNPs who apply for full independent practice authority.
Pursuant to ACA §17-87-314(e) the responsibilities of the Committee are:
- Review and approve or deny all applications for a certificate of full independent practice authority for CNPs and for renewal of a certificate of full independent practice authority;
- Review complaints made against CNPs who have a certificate of full independent practice authority;
- Review recommendations made by the Arkansas State Medical Board and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and notify the CNP of any action taken by the Committee based on the recommendations;
- Hold a hearing if the action taken is suspension or revocation of the certificate of full independent practice authority; and
- Provide reports quarterly and upon request regarding the number of applicants approved and denied to the Senate and House Committees on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor.
Members
The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee is an eight-member committee created within the Arkansas Department of Health and appointed by the Governor. Committee members serve three-year terms, but not more than two consecutive terms. The committee shall consist of the following members:
- Three (3) faculty physicians from each of the following institutions:
- The College of Medicine of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith
- The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro
- One (1) physician from the state at large
- Three (3) faculty CNPs from nursing programs in the state
- One (1) CNP from the state at large
The Director of the Arkansas State Medical Board and the Director of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing serve as ex officio nonvoting members.
Name | Position | Appointed |
Mitzi Scotten, MD | NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine – Fort Smith | 9/1/21 |
Donna Shipley, MD | AR College of Osteopathic Medicine – Fort Smith | 9/1/21 |
Purushottm Thapa, MD | UAMS | 9/1/21 |
William Hawkins, MD | At-Large | 9/23/21 |
Darlene Byrd, DNP, APRN | UAMS | 9/1/21 |
Leonie DeClerk, PhD, DNP, APRN Chair |
UAMS | 9/1/21 |
Mark Foster, DNP, APRN | ASU | 9/1/21 |
Julia Ponder, DNP, APRN Vice Chair |
At large | 9/1/21 |
Meetings
- tbd
Minutes
- January 6, 2022
- November 2, 2021
- October 11, 2021
Resources
- Act 412 of 2021
- Rules
- Application
- Complaint Form
- FAQs
Contact Us
Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee
4815 W. Markham St., Slot 75
Little Rock, AR 72205
Email