CNA Certification in Arkansas

There is a growing need for qualified certified nursing assistants in Arkansas.  If you are interested in an entry-level healthcare position, you can consider training for a career as a certified nursing assistant.  There are a variety of state-approved nursing assistant certification training programs throughout the state of Arkansas.

Training Hours and Requirements

In the state of Arkansas you need to complete at least 75 hours of training when studying to become a certified nursing assistant.  Training courses are designed to prepare students for their nursing assistant certification exam as well as a career as a CNA.  The guidelines for training courses are set forth by the Office of Long Term Care in Arkansas.

The Office of long Term Care also sets the guidelines for the nursing assistant certification exam.  All testing centers must adhere to these requirements.  Prospective CNAs must attend training programs that have been approved by the state of Arkansas.

Transfer CNA certification to Arkansas via Reciprocity

You might be eligible to be certified in Arkansas if you already hold a certification in another state.  If you moved or are moving to Arkansas, you should apply for certification through reciprocity.  You will need to apply to be considered for nursing assistant reciprocity.  Your nursing assistant certification in the former state must be valid and active.

It will be necessary to submit to a background check in Arkansas.  You will need to provide verification that you attended and completed a nursing assistant training class in your former state.  Of course, you will also need to verify that you passed the state-approved nursing assistant certification exam.  If you are approved for reciprocity, you will need to sit for the certification exam in Arkansas but will not need to repeat a training course.

The procedure to transfer your CNA license to Arkansas is as follows:

1. Obtain a copy of the DMS-798 Exemption/reciprocity Request Form from Arkansas Office of Long Term Care (OLTC) by calling (501) 682-1807.
2. Submit the completed form to the OLTC along with a copy of your certificate/registration document from every state where you are listed on the Nursing Assistant Registry.
3. After you’re done, send the form to:

Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Medical Services
Office of Long Term Care
Nursing Assistant Registry
Slot S405
P.O.Box 8059
Little Rock, AR 72203-8059

CNA Certification Renewal

Be prepared to renew your certification every 24 months.  You should receive the necessary paperwork several weeks before your renewal forms are due.  Complete the forms in their entirety and send to the address provided on the paperwork.  You must have worked as a certified nursing assistant or in a job providing nursing related duties in order to qualify to renew your certification.

The updated Arkansas renewal paperwork can be found at: https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/nurseaide/documents/arkansas/ARCNARegistryRenewalForm_20130415.pdf. The completed forms can be sent to: Prometric Attn: Arkansas Nursing Assistant Registry Renewal 7941 Corporate Drive, Nottingham, MD21236.

Any CNAs with history of resident abuse, misappropriation of resident property, neglect or criminal record disqualifications are not eligible for renewal in Arkansas.

You can contact the nursing aide registry in Arkansas for information about how to renew your license if you have not worked in the past two years.  Do not be surprised if you need to repeat a training program as well as sit for the examination again.

You will find this helpful: Free CNA training classes in Arkansas and Accredited CNA classes in Arkansas