Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Arkansas
2026 data Arkansas board official source

Arkansas Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.

What the Arkansas data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

Arkansas sets the entry bar for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s at 1,122 training hours and a passing score on NCLEX-PN. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Arkansas's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $105, and renewal costs $74 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, licensed practical nurse (lpn)s should know: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
59/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Arkansas

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,122 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$105
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$37/yr
$74 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,122 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$105
Renewal Fee
$74
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) All Arkansas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arkansas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas requires 1122 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-PN), and an initial fee of $105. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Arkansas? ▼
Certification as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Arkansas means clearing the state's checklist: 1122 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Arkansas licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to Arkansas from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Arkansas licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Arkansas require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
Arkansas does require a background check before issuing a licensed practical nurse (lpn) license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Arkansas? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Arkansas, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $74.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Arkansas, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Arkansas licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.