# Ark. Code Ann. § 17-80-403: Establishment of professional relationship

> Arkansas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C80_S4_S17-80-403

## Section

- **Citation:** Ark. Code Ann. § 17-80-403
- **Heading:** Establishment of professional relationship
- **Jurisdiction:** Arkansas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** AR Code / Title 17 / Chapter 80 / Subchapter 4 / Section 17-80-403

## Text

(a) (1) A healthcare professional at a distant site shall not utilize telemedicine with respect to a patient located in Arkansas unless a professional relationship exists between the healthcare professional and the patient or the healthcare professional otherwise meets the requirements of a professional relationship as defined in § 17-80-402 . (2) The existence of a professional relationship is not required in the following circumstances: (A) Emergency situations where the life or health of the patient is in danger or imminent danger; or (B) Simply providing information of a generic nature, not meant to be specific to an individual patient. (b) If the establishment of the professional relationship is permitted via telemedicine under § 17-80-402(4)(E) or § 17-80-402(4)(F) , telemedicine may be used to establish the professional relationship only for situations in which the standard of care does not require an in-person encounter. (c) "Professional relationship" does not include a relationship between a healthcare professional and a patient established only by the following: (1) An internet questionnaire; (2) An email message; (3) Patient-generated medical history; (4) Text messaging; (5) A facsimile machine; or (6) Any combination of means listed in subdivisions (c)(1)-(5) of this section. Amended by Act 2021, No. 829,§ 2, eff. 4/21/2021. Added by Act 2017, No. 203,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2017.

(a) (1) A healthcare professional at a distant site shall not utilize telemedicine with respect to a patient located in Arkansas unless a professional relationship exists between the healthcare professional and the patient or the healthcare professional otherwise meets the requirements of a professional relationship as defined in § 17-80-402 . (2) The existence of a professional relationship is not required in the following circumstances: (A) Emergency situations where the life or health of the patient is in danger or imminent danger; or (B) Simply providing information of a generic nature, not meant to be specific to an individual patient.

(1) A healthcare professional at a distant site shall not utilize telemedicine with respect to a patient located in Arkansas unless a professional relationship exists between the healthcare professional and the patient or the healthcare professional otherwise meets the requirements of a professional relationship as defined in § 17-80-402 .

(2) The existence of a professional relationship is not required in the following circumstances: (A) Emergency situations where the life or health of the patient is in danger or imminent danger; or (B) Simply providing information of a generic nature, not meant to be specific to an individual patient.

(A) Emergency situations where the life or health of the patient is in danger or imminent danger; or

(B) Simply providing information of a generic nature, not meant to be specific to an individual patient.

(b) If the establishment of the professional relationship is permitted via telemedicine under § 17-80-402(4)(E) or § 17-80-402(4)(F) , telemedicine may be used to establish the professional relationship only for situations in which the standard of care does not require an in-person encounter.

(c) "Professional relationship" does not include a relationship between a healthcare professional and a patient established only by the following: (1) An internet questionnaire; (2) An email message; (3) Patient-generated medical history; (4) Text messaging; (5) A facsimile machine; or (6) Any combination of means listed in subdivisions (c)(1)-(5) of this section.

(1) An internet questionnaire;

(2) An email message;

(3) Patient-generated medical history;

(4) Text messaging;

(5) A facsimile machine; or

(6) Any combination of means listed in subdivisions (c)(1)-(5) of this section.

Amended by Act 2021, No. 829,§ 2, eff. 4/21/2021.

Added by Act 2017, No. 203,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2017.

## Nearby sections

- [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-80-401 Title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C80_S4_S17-80-401.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-80-402 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C80_S4_S17-80-402.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-80-403 Establishment of professional relationship](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C80_S4_S17-80-403.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-80-404 Appropriate use of telemedicine](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C80_S4_S17-80-404.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-80-405 Liability - Noncompliance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C80_S4_S17-80-405.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-80-406 Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C80_S4_S17-80-406.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-80-407 Construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C80_S4_S17-80-407.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C80_S4_S17-80-403. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.