Paramedic / Arkansas
2026 data Arkansas board official source

Arkansas Paramedic License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides advanced emergency medical care in the field.

What the Arkansas data shows for Paramedics

Becoming a licensed paramedic in Arkansas means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,395 training hours, a passing score on NREMT Paramedic Exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Arkansas regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Paramedic Training Program".

Upfront cost is $99, with renewal running $86 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 72 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
48/100
Paramedic · 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 F
1,395 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$99
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$43/yr
$86 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
36.0 hrs/yr
72 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Education / Training Hours
Paramedic Training Program
1,395 hours
Exam Requirement
NREMT Paramedic Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$99
Renewal Fee
$86
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
72 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Paramedic 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 Paramedic in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas's requirements cover 1395 hours of education or training, the NREMT Paramedic Exam exam, and an initial fee of $99. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Paramedic in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas licenses paramedics who complete its requirements (1395 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Arkansas licensing board.
Can I transfer my Paramedic license to Arkansas from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for paramedics nationally works like this: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Arkansas. Verify the specifics with the Arkansas licensing board.
Does Arkansas require a background check for Paramedic licensing? ▼
Arkansas does require a background check before issuing a paramedic license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Paramedic in Arkansas? ▼
To stay licensed as a paramedic in Arkansas, plan on 72 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $86.

Related Guides

What to do with this paramedic license

Paramedic in Arkansas, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a paramedic-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Arkansas's paramedic requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Paramedic in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state paramedic license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Arkansas's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Arkansas overview

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.