As we conclude our October series on Arkansas NP history, we wrap up with a final history post  This week’s post covers the past decade of Arkansas NP history.

During the third decade of Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) licensure in Arkansas, the number of CNPs licensed in the state more than tripled - from 1,926 in June 2015 to 6,780 in September 2025. Most CNPs in Arkansas are certified in a primary care specialty, but approximately 10% are certified in acute care specialties, and a similar number in psychiatric-mental health. Many hold dual or multiple certifications.

Throughout the decade Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA) and Arkansas Nurses Association (ARNA) led legislative initiatives to modernize CNP practice and expand access to safe, high-quality healthcare for all Arkansans - comparable to that available in the nation’s best-performing states..

Key Legislation Affecting CNP Practice

• Act 372 of 2017:  (Rep. Bentley [ARNA]) Authorized APRNs signature authority, enabling CNPs to sign necessary healthcare documents and reduce delays in patient care.
• Act 820 of 2017: (Rep. Hutchinson) Required providers to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program when prescribing certain medications.
• Act 593 of 2019: (Rep Gonzales [ARNA]) Authorized limited Schedule II prescribing - up to 5 days for acute pain - and refilling stimulants initiated by a physician. Originally a full Schedule II bill, it was amended to pass.
• Act 412 of 2021: (Rep. Johnson [ANPA] later Co-Sponsored by Sen Hammer) Established a pathway for removal of the collaborative practice agreement requirement for CNPs and created the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. While significant, it stopped short of granting full practice authority.
• Act 569 of 2021: (Rep. Wardlaw [ARNA]) Directed Arkansas Medicaid to recognize APRNs as Primary Care Providers, but excluded them from owning Patient-Centered Medical Homes.
• Act 872 of 2023: (Sen. Hammer [ANPA]) Extended eligibility for a Certificate of Full Independent Practice to Clinical Nurse Specialists.
• Act 959 of 2025: (Rep. Pilkington [ANPA]) Authorized APRNs to delegate certain tasks to medical assistants and other unlicensed staff.

Legislation Introduced but Not Passed

• Full Schedule II bills were introduced in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2025.
• Full practice authority bills were introduced in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
• ANPA and ARNA successfully defeated efforts in 2017 and 2019 to place APRN practice under the Arkansas State Medical Board.

National Context

Nationally, the number of nurse practitioners more than doubled over the decade, surpassing 460,000 in September 2025. Six additional states - South Dakota, Massachusetts, Delaware, Kansas, New York, and Utah - achieved Full Practice Authority, bringing the total to 27 states.

The third decade of CNP licensure in Arkansas marked continued growth and incremental removal of practice barriers. However, CNPs in Arkansas still face restrictions that prevent them from practicing fully to the level of their education and certification - resulting in delayed access to care and increased healthcare costs for Arkansans.

 

If you became a CNP between 2016 and 2025, follow the link to donate $30 to the Dr. Loretta Ford Scholarship Fund to help support the education of the next generation of CNPs in Arkansas.