# Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-304: Licensed practical nurses > Arkansas · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T17_C87_S3_S17-87-304 ## Section - **Citation:** Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-304 - **Heading:** Licensed practical 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 17-87-304 ## Text (a) Qualifications. An applicant for a license to practice practical nursing shall submit to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing 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 a prescribed curriculum in a state-approved program for the preparation of practical nurses and holds a diploma or certificate therefrom. However, the board may waive this requirement if the board determines the applicant to be otherwise qualified. (b) Issuance of License. A license to practice as a practical 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 successful completion of the examination, the board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse; or (2) By Endorsement. The board may issue a license to practice practical nursing by endorsement to any applicant who has duly been licensed or registered as a licensed practical nurse or to a person entitled to perform similar services under a different title under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the requirements for licensed practical nurses in this state at the time of graduation and if the board so recommends. (c) Person Licensed Before March 29, 1971. Any person holding a license to practice as a practical nurse issued by the board and which was valid on March 29, 1971, shall be deemed to be licensed as a practical nurse under the provisions of this chapter. (d) Title and Abbreviation. Any person who holds a license to practice practical nursing in this state shall have the right to use the title "licensed practical nurse" and the abbreviation "L.P.N.". (e) Educational Program. The educational program for the preparation of licensed practical nurses may be provided by a postsecondary educational institution, a hospital, or a consortium of five (5) or more skilled nursing facilities. Amended by Act 2021, No. 759,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021. Amended by Act 2019, No. 990,§ 74, eff. 7/24/2019. Acts 1971, No. 432, § 11; 1981, No. 54, § 1; 1981 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 19, §§ 4, 5; A.S.A. 1947, § 72-755; Acts 1991, No. 162, § 2; 1995, No. 409, § 10. (a) Qualifications. An applicant for a license to practice practical nursing shall submit to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing 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 a prescribed curriculum in a state-approved program for the preparation of practical nurses and holds a diploma or certificate therefrom. However, the board may waive this requirement if the board determines the applicant to be otherwise qualified. (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 a prescribed curriculum in a state-approved program for the preparation of practical nurses and holds a diploma or certificate therefrom. However, the board may waive this requirement if the board determines the applicant to be otherwise qualified. completed an approved high school course of study or the equivalent thereof as determined by the appropriate educational agency; and (2) Has completed a prescribed curriculum in a state-approved program for the preparation of practical nurses and holds a diploma or certificate therefrom. However, the board may waive this requirement if the board determines the applicant to be otherwise qualified. (b) Issuance of License. A license to practice as a practical 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 successful completion of the examination, the board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse; or (2) By Endorsement. The board may issue a license to practice practical nursing by endorsement to any applicant who has duly been licensed or registered as a licensed practical nurse or to a person entitled to perform similar services under a different title under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the requirements for licensed practical 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 successful completion of the examination, the board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse; or (2) By Endorsement. The board may issue a license to practice practical nursing by endorsement to any applicant who has duly been licensed or registered as a licensed practical nurse or to a person entitled to perform similar services under a different title under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the requirements for licensed practical nurses in this state at the time of graduation and if the board so recommends. (c) Person Licensed Before March 29, 1971. Any person holding a license to practice as a practical nurse issued by the board and which was valid on March 29, 1971, shall be deemed to be licensed as a practical nurse under the provisions of this chapter. (d) Title and Abbreviation. Any person who holds a license to practice practical nursing in this state shall have the right to use the title "licensed practical nurse" and the abbreviation "L.P.N.". (e) Educational Program. The educational program for the preparation of licensed practical nurses may be provided by a postsecondary educational institution, a hospital, or a consortium of five (5) or more skilled nursing facilities. Amended by Act 2021, No. 759,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021. Amended by Act 2019, No. 990,§ 74, eff. 7/24/2019. Acts 1971, No. 432, § 11; 1981, No. 54, § 1; 1981 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 19, §§ 4, 5; A.S.A. 1947, § 72-755; Acts 1991, No. 162, § 2; 1995, No. 409, § 10. ## 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. 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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_S17-87-304. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.