You are eligible to renew your certificate if you have worked as a nursing assistant performing nursing or nursing-related services for monetary compensation for at least eight consecutive hours within the immediate 24-month period prior to your current registry expiration date. A renewal reminder notice will be mailed to you approximately 60 days before the expiration of your certificate. The renewal notice will go to the home address currently listed on the registry.
To renew your license, complete all of the information requested on the Arkansas Nursing Assistant Registry renewal form, including the employer information on the second page, sign it and mail it to the address provided on the last page. Failure to fully complete the employment information part may result in delays or denial of the renewal of your CNA certification. You have to renew your certificate before the expiration date in order to keep it active but you should not send in your renewal form more than 60 days before it expires. If you do, it will be discarded and will not be processed. You may also be able to renew your CNA license online if you meet all the requirements.
The Arkansas CNA Registry will be updated with your current information once your renewal form is processed and you are determined to be eligible for renewal, and a new certificate and wallet card showing your new expiration date will be mailed to you. You will be recertified for 24 months if you are currently working as a nursing assistant. Those who are not currently working will be recertified for 24 months beginning with the last day worked. CNAs with employment restrictions on the registry for resident abuse, misappropriation of resident property, neglect or criminal record disqualifications are not eligible for renewal. The state of Arkansas no longer requires CNAs to pay a renewal fee.
In Arkansas, a nursing assistant certification expires and is invalid if the CNA has not worked for pay as a nursing assistant for a minimum of eight hours during her or his most recent certification period. A certificate that has been expired for a period longer than 24 months cannot be renewed and you will be required to take the exam again. If your certificate has been lapsed for less than 24 months, you may be eligible for renewal. If you were certified within the last 24 months but have not been working, you have to complete and submit the renewal form. If you submit the form and are not deemed eligible for renewal, Prometric will provide you with retesting information.