§ 17-87-302 — Advanced practice registered nurses

(a) Qualifications. In order to be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse, an applicant shall show evidence of education approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, and national certification approved by the board under one (1) of the following roles of an advanced practice registered nurse: (1) Certified Nurse Practitioner. A certified nurse practitioner shall hold current certification by a national certifying body recognized by the board in the advanced practice registered nurse role and population foci appropriate to educational preparation; (2) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. To qualify as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, an applicant shall: (A) Have earned a diploma or certificate evidencing satisfactory completion, beyond generic nursing preparation, of a formal educational program that meets the standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs or another nationally recognized accrediting body and that has as its objective the preparation of nurses to perform as nurse anesthetists; and (B) Hold current certification by a national certifying body recognized by the board in the advanced practice registered nurse role and population foci appropriate to educational preparation; (3) Certified Nurse Midwife. To qualify as a certified nurse midwife, an applicant shall: (A) Hold current certification by a national certifying body recognized by the board in the advanced practice registered nurse role and population foci appropriate to educational preparation; and (B) Have full practice authority under § 17-87-315 ; or (4) Clinical Nurse Specialist. In order to qualify as a clinical nurse specialist, an applicant shall: (A) Hold a master's degree evidencing successful completion of a graduate program in nursing, which shall include supervised clinical practice and classroom instruction in a nursing specialty; and (B) Hold current certification by a national certifying body recognized by the board in the advanced practice registered nurse role and population foci appropriate to educational preparation. (b) Issuance of License. A license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse may be issued: (1) By Application. Any person holding a license to practice as a registered nurse and meeting the educational qualifications and certification requirements to be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse, upon application and payment of necessary fees to the board, may be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse; and (2) By Endorsement. The board may issue a license to practice advanced practice registered nursing by endorsement to any applicant who has been licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse or to a person entitled to perform similar services under a different title under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the requirements for advanced practice registered nurses in this state. (c) Title and Abbreviation. Any person who holds a license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse shall have the right to use the title of "advanced practice registered nurse" and the abbreviation "A.P.R.N.".

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2021, No. 607,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021. Amended by Act 2013, No. 604,§ 12, eff. 8/16/2013. Acts 1971, No. 432, § 2; 1979, No. 404, §§ 1, 7; 1979, No. 613, § 2; 1980 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 14, §§ 5, 6; 1981 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 19, § 8; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 72-746, 72-756.1, 72-756.2; Acts 1995, No. 409, § 9; 1999, No. 1208, § 2.