2024 - Best LPN Programs in Arkansas

Details on Arkansas LPN Schools & Classes

To earn an LPN diploma in Arkansas, you’ll need to enroll in one of the many schools in the state that offer an LPN program. These programs are readily found in colleges and technical/vocational schools throughout Arkansas. Upon graduating from an LPN program, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-PN exam in order to become licensed as a practical nurse. Some of the classes you may take in LPN school might consist of the following, which are actual course titles offered in the LPN program at University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

• Medical Terminology
• Clinical Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Nursing Care of Adults

Accreditation

Choosing the right school and LPN program can be daunting. To ensure that you are choosing wisely, you should check to see if your school of choice is properly accredited. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing is a national accrediting organization to look out for, but there are other regional accrediting bodies as well. It’s also a good idea to ensure that the school and program are endorsed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

Students in Arkansas will typically need to meet the following requirements in order to be eligible to enroll in an LPN program:

• Must be a high school graduate or have a GED
• Must submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Hold a current CPR for Health Care Providers certification
• Satisfactory TEAS exam score

Tuition and Costs

Arkansas LPN program costs can vary due to type of school, location, and other factors. Students should plan to cover the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, course materials such as textbooks, and room/board if applicable. As an example, the LPN program at Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale has a total cost of just over $11,000. Most schools have financial aid departments and programs that can help students with these expenses.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Arkansas LPN to RN/BSN programs page.

Arkansas LPN Licensing Requirements

Arkansas’ educational requirements for an LPN license include attending a Board-certified nursing school and passing the state-required test. In order to receive state licensure, the applicant must submit an application to the state prior to graduation, including:

• Proof of valid social security number
• Official transcript from state-approved nursing program with degree received (must come directly from school).
• Verification of graduation date (done by the director of graduated nursing program via secure electronic process).
• Submit to a criminal background check.

Foreign nurses can apply for a license from the state of Arkansas, but must also provide official transcripts, including a full course-by-course review by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, proof of English proficiency, as well as submit proof of the following:

• Graduated from an approved nursing school equivalent to Arkansas.
• Licensed or eligible to be licensed as an LPN in another country.
• Submit to a criminal background check.
• Passed all required licensure examinations.

Arkansas LPN licenses expire every 2 years on the licensee’s birthday.

NCLEX Exam Information

The NCLEX-PN exam must be passed by LPN program graduates in order to become licensed. The exam consists of between 85 and 205 questions covering different aspects of nursing knowledge. You can learn more about the NCLEX-PN exam here, and even take our NCLEX-PN practice exam to hone your skills before you take the real thing.

LPN Reciprocity and NLC

As a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, Arkansas allows nurses from other NLC states to work within its boundaries without additional licensing requirements. Nurses from other non-compact states are required to apply for a license by endorsement to practice in the state. They must also submit the following:

• Proof of having passed the NCLEX.
• Proof of state licensure in another state.
• Proof of employment as an LPN in another state.
• Submit to a criminal background check.

For detailed information about LPN endorsement by application in Arkansas, check out Arkansas State Board of Nursing's Endorsement page.

2024 AR NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Statistics

• Total Number of State Approved LPN Schools: 25
• Total Number of Test Takers in 2022: 832
• 2022 Average Statewide Arkansas NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 81.2%

LPN Salary in Arkansas

The table below lists career information obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for licensed practical nurses in Arkansas. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

Table data sourced from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm)