Requirements for nursing license validation are as follows:

1. New Employees:

A new employee is required to possess a valid Arkansas License or a valid license from a compact state or a temporary Arkansas license when appearing for the first day of employment with the Hiring Department. If the license is not valid, the nurse is sent home and told to contact the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (501-686-2700).  Employment can begin on the first orientation day after a valid license is obtained.

2. New Graduates:

A new graduate is expected to successfully complete the State Board Test Pool Examination.  New graduates may obtain a temporary permit from the State Board of Nursing while waiting to take the licensure examination.  The temporary permit expires in 90 days or as soon as the licensure results are distributed.  A new graduate practicing with a temporary permit will be terminated or transferred to a position not requiring licensure upon failure of the exam or upon expiration of the temporary permit without licensure. When the new graduate transfers to a unlicensed assistive position, the UAP scope of practice will be reviewed with the individual and nursing colleagues on the unit and the employee will obtain a new UAMS identification badge reflecting their appropriate title.

3. Licensure Verification of Existing Inpatient, Outpatient and Cancer Institute Staff:

It is the responsibility of the nurse to maintain a current Arkansas nursing license at all times.  If an employee allows a license to expire, that person is not eligible to work as a nurse until the license is renewed.  The nurse is suspended without pay until the license is renewed, and is not allowed to use accrued vacation days, sick days or holidays.

The following process will occur to inform management and staff of upcoming license expiration:

1. Designated individuals in the Department of Patient Care Services Business Office, Cancer Institute & Out Patient Services at UAMS are authorized to access the Information Network of Arkansas (INA), Internet licensure verification system.  One week before the last working day of each month, these designated individuals will verify the status of all nurses' licenses due to expire at the end of the month.  If renewed, the new expiration date and the date verified will be entered in the employee data base.  If not renewed, the employee's Clinical Service (CSM) or Clinic Manager (CM) will be notified.
2. On the last working day of the month, these designated individuals will access the INA system to verify that all outstanding licenses due to expire that month have been renewed.  The names of any employees that still have not renewed their license will be forwarded to their CSM, the staffing office, and the Assistant Director of Nurses (ADON).  The CSM or CM will notify the employee that he/she is suspended from work without pay until the license is renewed.
3. Receipt for license from the State Board of Nursing is not accepted as evidence that license has been renewed.
4. If a license is flagged, the appropriate Nursing Director/CSM/CM will be notified for follow-up with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

4. Back-up Plan if Internet Licensure Verification System Fails:

Should the internet licensure verification system be inoperable, verification of nurses' licenses will be by direct visualization of the original license until the internet system is functional. 

5. Licensure Verification of  Staff For All Other Departments Who Employ Licensed Nurses outside Inpatient, Outpatient and Cancer Institute:

Upon employment the Manager verifies licensure.  A copy of the license is attached to the
application.  Each nurse is responsible for having his/her license verified, after each renewal, by the Director or Department Administrative Assistant.  In addition: all licenses and renewals must also be verified by phone to ensure there is no flag on the license.  Contact 501-682-2200 to enter license number and # sign. 

Personnel verifying the license will make a copy of the original license and place their signature along with a verification statement on the copy (ex. License Verified on 2/2/95 by Mary Smith, RN, CSM).  Copies shall have the word "copy" on it.  A receipt from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing is not acceptable.  The following information is necessary to maintain an accurate list in each department:

a. Name (exactly as it appears on the license)

b. License number

c. Expiration date

d. RNP, RN, LPN, or LPTN

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