The Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires registered nurses to meet a continuing-education requirement before each biennial renewal. You can satisfy it one of three ways: 15 practice-focused contact hours from an ASBN-recognized provider, current national certification or recertification from a recognized body during the license period, or one college credit hour course in nursing completed with a grade of C or better. There are no mandated subject-matter topics for standard RN renewal.
15 hours / 2 years
Fifteen practice-focused contact hours from an ASBN-recognized provider.
Certification alternative
Current national certification or recertification satisfies the requirement.
College course alternative
One college nursing course (grade C or better) during the license period.
Reinstatement
Nurses reinstating from inactive/lapsed status (under five years) need 20 contact hours.
How many CE hours Arkansas RNs need
Arkansas RNs must complete 15 practice-focused contact hours from an ASBN-recognized provider every two years, or instead satisfy the requirement through current national certification/recertification or one college nursing course (grade C or better) during the license period. Nurses reinstating from inactive or lapsed status of under five years must complete 20 contact hours.
Mandated subject requirements
None for standard RN renewal. Arkansas does not mandate specific subject-matter topics for RNs (APRNs with prescriptive authority have an additional pharmacotherapeutics requirement, but that does not apply to standard RN licensure).
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Arkansas RN licenses renew on a biennial cycle. Complete one of the qualifying continuing-education options before submitting your renewal application.
Know exactly what CME you need.
Tell us your license type, state, and renewal date. We map your required hours, the state-mandated topics, and your deadline — a clear, personalized plan for a flat $99.
View pricingArkansas Registered Nurses (RN) CME at a glance
Always confirm with your licensing board
Arkansas RNs must meet a continuing-education requirement prior to each biennial renewal using one of three options: (1) 15 practice-focused contact hours from an ASBN-recognized provider, (2) current national certification or recertification from an ASBN-recognized certifying body during the license period, or (3) one college credit hour course in nursing completed with a grade of C or better during the license period. Nurses reinstating from inactive or lapsed status (under five years) must complete 20 contact hours.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing before relying on these figures.
Source: Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Nurse Licensure Compact: active. Active. One multistate RN/LPN license from the home state authorizes practice in member states; practice-state requirements (including CE) may still overlay.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Also licensing in Arkansas or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Arkansas Registered Nurse CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE contact hours do Arkansas RNs need?
+
15 practice-focused contact hours every two years, or a qualifying alternative such as national certification or a college nursing course.
Can national certification replace CE hours in Arkansas?
+
Yes. Current national certification or recertification from an ASBN-recognized certifying body during the license period satisfies the requirement.
How many hours are needed to reinstate an Arkansas RN license?
+
Nurses reinstating from inactive or lapsed status of under five years must complete 20 contact hours.
Related
Need help meeting your Arkansas RN CE before renewal?
Tell us your license type and renewal month and we'll map the fastest compliant path — required hours, mandated topics, and your deadline — for a flat $99.
- Flat $99 per plan
- Every license type
- All 50 states
Get my CME plan
Tell us your license type, state, and renewal — we'll map exactly what you need.