Not a government site. Always confirm with the licensing board before you apply. About us

State License Requirements
Menu

How to get a Certified Nursing Assistant license in Arkansas

Arkansas licenses nursing assistants statewide through the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance.1 For the Certified Nursing Assistant (listed on the Certified Nursing Assistant/Employment Clearance Registry) license you need at least 91 clock hours1 of education, a passing score on the State competency examination (written or oral examination plus skills demonstration)1 and a criminal background check1. You renew every 24 months1.

Last checked · 2 official sources

Who issues it

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance

Training and experience

Training: at least 91 clock hours1

Exam

State competency examination (written or oral examination plus skills demonstration)1

Renewal

Every 24 months1

From another state

License by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses1 Details

On this page
  1. Who needs a Certified Nursing Assistant license
  2. Requirements for a Certified Nursing Assistant license
  3. How to apply
  4. Renewal and continuing education
  5. Moving to Arkansas with a license from another state
  6. City and county rules
  7. Check a license or report a problem
  8. Laws and rules
  9. Common questions
  10. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

Who needs a Certified Nursing Assistant license

Performs certified nursing-aide skills and assists LPNs or RNs in direct resident care in long-term care facilities.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • A long-term care facility may not use a person as a nursing assistant for more than four months (120 calendar days) unless they have completed a DHS-approved training program and competency exam.1
  • Trainees may work after the first 16 hours (Part I, lessons 1-11) only on duties for which they have shown competence.1

Requirements for a Certified Nursing Assistant license

Education or training
At least 91 clock hours1
DHS-approved Long-Term Care Facility Nursing Assistant Training Program (facility or nonfacility, in person or virtual): 91 hours total, i.e. at least 75 clock hours including 16 hours of supervised practical training; the first 16 hours (Part I) are classroom before any floor work.1
Who may teach it: Only DHS-approved training programs qualify; hospital, EMT, medical assistant, personal care aide, correspondence, independent study, OJT or in-service training are not accepted instead.1
Alternative: RNs, or nursing students who finished the basic nursing course (Introduction/Fundamentals of Nursing), may challenge the exam with a transcript.1
Alternative: Home health aides who met federal HHA training (75 classroom + 16 supervised practical hours) or testing requirements may take the exam; personal care aides (40 hours) may not.1
Alternative: People who completed a state-approved nursing assistant program in another state but were not tested/registered may take the Arkansas exam after the DHS contractor approves their course verification.1
Alternative: Not eligible: RNs/LPNs whose license was suspended, revoked or surrendered through discipline.1
Exam
State competency examination (written or oral examination plus skills demonstration)1
Given by: D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster): the DHS CNA page links to it to schedule the CNA certification exam and for Arkansas CNA Registry inquiries.2
When you can take it: After completing a DHS-approved training program, with its certificate of completion as evidence.1
Written or oral examination (candidate chooses); in English, with translation offered if needed.1
Skills demonstration: five randomly selected tasks, evaluated by an RN with at least one year of elder/chronic care experience.1
Retakes: Up to three attempts within 12 months; failing three times requires retraining, then 12 months to pass.1
Time limit: Complete the exam within 12 months of graduating from the training program or retrain.1
Exam waived: CNAs registered in another state transfer by reciprocity without further examination.1
Background check
Background check required1
People on the registry with a disqualification for substantiated abuse, neglect, misappropriation, or a disqualifying criminal record under Ark. Code 20-38-101 et seq. may not take the exam or renew.1

How to apply

  1. Complete a DHS-approved Long-Term Care Facility Nursing Assistant Training Program (91 hours); the facility runs your criminal record check before training.1
  2. Get the program's certificate of completion (issued within 10 days); it is your evidence of eligibility for the exam.1
  3. Register with the DHS exam contractor (D&S Diversified Technologies/Headmaster, linked from the DHS CNA page) and pass both parts of the state competency exam within 12 months of graduating (up to three attempts).1
  4. After passing, you are placed on the Certified Nursing Assistant/Employment Clearance Registry and issued a state certificate.1
Temporary or provisional license
Temporary/provisional certification only for uniformed service members, veterans and their spouses while full certification is expedited.1

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 24 months1
When it expires
Biennial renewal online; renew no earlier than 60 days before expiration. Currently employed CNAs renew for 24 months; those not employed renew for 24 months from their last day worked as a nursing assistant.1
Required topics
Work requirement: at least one documented day (8 hours) of paid nursing or nursing-related work in any setting during the prior two years; private-pay CNAs submit a check stub and a notarized employer letter.1
Exemptions
Deployed uniformed service members (and spouses): expiration and CE requirements extended 180 days after return from deployment.1
If it expires
Without documented work in the prior 24 months the certificate becomes inactive and you must pass a new competency exam.1
Expired more than 24 months: cannot be renewed; retest and complete 16 hours of clinical training.1
Disqualified registry status (abuse, neglect, misappropriation, disqualifying criminal record) bars renewal.1

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Arkansas Certified Nursing Assistant (listed on the Certified Nursing Assistant/Employment Clearance Registry) license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Arkansas with a license from another state

These are the routes the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance publishes for the Certified Nursing Assistant license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Reciprocity without further training or testing for CNAs registered in good standing in another state, territory or DC whose training and competency program met federal guidelines; submit DMS-798 (Interstate Transfer Form/CNA Reg. Exemption/Reciprocity Request).1
Conditions
DMS-798 Interstate Transfer Form/CNA Reg. Exemption/Reciprocity Request, SSN card copy and photo ID (listed for the military process).1
Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
Automatic occupational licensure (Ark. Code 17-7-101 et seq.): one year in good standing with a similar out-of-state license, or 3 years' work in a state that does not license the occupation; no disqualifying offense or pending complaint. DHS may still require the exam.1
Conditions
Must meet all other resident requirements and renewal requirements, including a criminal background check.1
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Uniformed service members stationed in Arkansas, veterans residing there, and their spouses: automatic CNA licensure by reciprocity (DD-214, DMS-798, SSN card, photo ID, joint service transcript), temporary licensure while pending, and recognition of 91 hours of military healthcare training.1

City and county rules

No local license: Arkansas DHS certifies nursing assistants statewide and keeps the registry.1

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a nursing assistant in Arkansas, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Arkansas is on the Arkansas license lookup page.

Look up a license
ar.tmuniverse.com2

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Certified Nursing Assistant license in Arkansas?

The rules set at least 91 clock hours1 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my nursing assistant license to Arkansas?

The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance publishes these routes for the Certified Nursing Assistant license: license by endorsement1 and universal license recognition1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Certified Nursing Assistant license in Arkansas?

Every 24 months1.

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. 20 CAR Part 403. Rules for the Arkansas Long-Term Care Facility Nursing Assistant Training ProgramArkansas Secretary of State, Code of Arkansas Rules (rules of the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care)Checked November 7, 2026
  2. Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training ProgramArkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality AssuranceDated March 31, 2026Checked November 7, 2026