# Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-301: Registered nurses > Arkansas · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-301 ## Section - **Citation:** Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-301 - **Heading:** Registered nurses - **Jurisdiction:** Arkansas - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** AR Code / Title 17 / Chapter 87 / Subchapter 3 / Section 17-87-301 ## Text (a) Qualifications. Before taking the examination or before the issuance of a license by endorsement, an applicant for a license to practice professional nursing shall submit to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing written evidence, verified by oath, that the applicant: (1) Has completed an approved high school course of study or the equivalent thereof as determined by the appropriate educational agency; and (2) Has completed the required approved professional nursing education program. (b) Issuance of License. A license to practice as a registered nurse may be issued: (1) By Examination. The applicant shall be required to pass an examination in such subjects as the board may determine. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice professional nursing as a registered nurse; or (2) By Endorsement. The board may issue a license to practice professional nursing as a registered nurse by endorsement to an applicant who has been duly licensed as a registered nurse under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications required of registered nurses in this state at the time of graduation and if the board so recommends. (c) Nurses Registered Before March 29, 1971. Any person holding a license or certificate of registration to practice nursing as a registered nurse issued by the board which was valid on March 29, 1971, shall be deemed to be licensed as a registered nurse under the provisions of this chapter. (d) Title and Abbreviation. Any person who holds a license to practice professional nursing in this state shall have the right to use the title "registered nurse" and the abbreviation "R.N.". Amended by Act 2019, No. 990,§ 73, eff. 7/24/2019. Acts 1971, No. 432, § 10; 1979, No. 613, § 3; 1981 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 19, §§ 1-3; A.S.A. 1947, § 72-754; Acts 1991, No. 162, § 1; 1995, No. 409, § 8. (a) Qualifications. Before taking the examination or before the issuance of a license by endorsement, an applicant for a license to practice professional nursing shall submit to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing written evidence, verified by oath, that the applicant: (1) Has completed an approved high school course of study or the equivalent thereof as determined by the appropriate educational agency; and (2) Has completed the required approved professional nursing education program. (1) Has completed an approved high school course of study or the equivalent thereof as determined by the appropriate educational agency; and (2) Has completed the required approved professional nursing education program. (b) Issuance of License. A license to practice as a registered nurse may be issued: (1) By Examination. The applicant shall be required to pass an examination in such subjects as the board may determine. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice professional nursing as a registered nurse; or (2) By Endorsement. The board may issue a license to practice professional nursing as a registered nurse by endorsement to an applicant who has been duly licensed as a registered nurse under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications required of registered nurses in this state at the time of graduation and if the board so recommends. (1) By Examination. The applicant shall be required to pass an examination in such subjects as the board may determine. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice professional nursing as a registered nurse; or t meets the qualifications required of registered nurses in this state at the time of graduation and if the board so recommends. (1) By Examination. The applicant shall be required to pass an examination in such subjects as the board may determine. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice professional nursing as a registered nurse; or (2) By Endorsement. The board may issue a license to practice professional nursing as a registered nurse by endorsement to an applicant who has been duly licensed as a registered nurse under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications required of registered nurses in this state at the time of graduation and if the board so recommends. (c) Nurses Registered Before March 29, 1971. Any person holding a license or certificate of registration to practice nursing as a registered nurse issued by the board which was valid on March 29, 1971, shall be deemed to be licensed as a registered nurse under the provisions of this chapter. (d) Title and Abbreviation. Any person who holds a license to practice professional nursing in this state shall have the right to use the title "registered nurse" and the abbreviation "R.N.". Amended by Act 2019, No. 990,§ 73, eff. 7/24/2019. Acts 1971, No. 432, § 10; 1979, No. 613, § 3; 1981 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 19, §§ 1-3; A.S.A. 1947, § 72-754; Acts 1991, No. 162, § 1; 1995, No. 409, § 8. ## Nearby sections - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-301 Registered nurses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-301.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-302 Advanced practice registered nurses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-302.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-303 Registered nurse practitioners](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-303.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-304 Licensed practical nurses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-304.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-305 Licensed psychiatric technician nurses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-305.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-306 Fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-306.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-307 Temporary permits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-307.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-308 Renewal of licenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-308.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-309 Disciplinary actions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-309.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-310 Prescriptive authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-310.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-311 Direct reimbursement agreements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-311.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-312 Criminal background checks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-312.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-313 Licensing of noncitizens](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-313.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-314 Full independent practice authority - Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee - Members and duties - Definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-314.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-301. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.