§ 17-87-308 - Renewal of licenses.
17-87-308. Renewal of licenses.
(a) (1) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall prescribe the procedure for the cyclical biennial renewal of licenses to every person licensed by the board.
(2) In each case, the board shall mail a notification for renewal to the licensee at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date of the license.
(b) Upon receipt of the application and the fee, the board shall verify the accuracy of the application and renew the license for a period to expire on the last day of the current biennial cycle.
(c) The renewal shall render the holder a legal practitioner of nursing for the period stated in subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Any licensee who allows his or her license to lapse by failing to renew the license as provided in this section may be reinstated by the board on payment of the renewal fee plus a penalty.
(e) Any person practicing nursing during the time his or her license has lapsed shall be considered an illegal practitioner and shall be subject to the penalties provided for violations of this chapter.
(f) (1) (A) An individual may place his or her license on inactive status with written notification to the board.
(B) The holder of an inactive license shall not practice nursing in this state.
(2) (A) The provisions relating to the denial, suspension, and revocation of a license shall be applicable to an inactive or lapsed license.
(B) When proceedings to suspend or revoke an inactive license or otherwise discipline the holder of an inactive license have been initiated, the license shall not be reinstated until the proceedings have been completed.
(3) An inactive license may be placed in an active status upon compliance with the rules established by the board.
(g) As a condition of licensure renewal, an advanced practice nurse shall submit proof of current national certification and successful completion of continuing education as required by the board.