State terminology: Certified nursing assistant (CNA). 20 CAR § 403-102 ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Arkansas Department of Human Services; D&S Diversified Technologies/Headmaster.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to Arkansas?
Compare the reviewed application routes to see which one fits your situation. An out-of-state credential alone does not establish eligibility.
What does CNA reciprocity mean?
States use the terms reciprocity, endorsement and transfer to describe how they review nurse aide credentials from another state. Each state defines its own process, so use the term your new state uses. Approval is not automatic. The destination state decides whether your training, testing, work history and registry status meet its rules.
A nurse aide registry is an official state list used to check nurse aide status. A competency evaluation is the state-approved nurse aide exam. Its format varies by state. This guide explains the published instructions, but the agency decides whether you qualify.
How do you become a CNA in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires at least 91 total training hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. The current Code of Arkansas Rules states the 91-hour total.
- Pass the Arkansas nurse aide knowledge and skills examination; the DHS page links the public registry and its testing vendor for scheduling.
- The Arkansas CNA Registry is publicly searchable through the vendor portal linked by DHS.
Official training directory: DHS CNA training-program and registry-vendor entry point ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
Out-of-state registry placement
Current, good-standing aide in another state
- A substantially similar competency exam passed within one year of training can support placement.[2]
This route may not apply to:
- Applicants already on the Arkansas registry should check renewal/retesting.
Use Form 9110AR
Open Applications on Arkansas TMU; submit the form, required documents and processing fee.[2]
Official route: Online Arkansas TMU application. [2] Open agency instructions ↗
Regain employment eligibility
Arkansas aide without eight paid nursing-related hours in 24 consecutive months
- Pass both Arkansas competency examination components; contact Headmaster for authorization.[2]
Official route: Headmaster authorization followed by testing. [2] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in Arkansas?
Use the existing Arkansas TMU record for renewal; renewal requires eight consecutive paid hours in the previous 24 months and employer verification.[2]
Who sends registry verification?
Confirm who must send any outgoing registry verification.
What exceptions apply?
No additional exception is listed in the reviewed sources.
What else should you know?
The separate out-of-state training waiver requires at least 90 training hours and Arkansas testing within one year of comparable training.[2]
What fees does the state publish?
The reviewed source does not publish an amount for the following item: Processing fee. Confirm the current charge with the agency before paying.
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Confirm the current fee and required documents with the agency.
- Confirm who must send the registry verification.
- Confirm the current agency hub and application details with DHS. The contractor page identifies the DHS partnership.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the Arkansas planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (Out-of-state registry placement, Regain employment eligibility)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in Arkansas? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- Arkansas CNA — Headmaster ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Candidates; agency partnership; handbook effective July 1, 2026
- Arkansas Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Printed pp.4–6: Registry Renewal, Registry Reciprocity, Out-of-State Training Waiver
- 20 CAR 403-603 Certification renewal ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Certification renewal; 8 hours of paid work; lapsed certification; 16 hours of clinical training