Healthcare Recruiting
Arkansas CRNA License 2026: APRN Requirements, Practice Model, Salary
Arkansas CRNAs are licensed as APRNs by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Arkansas is a reduced practice state — a written collaborative practice agreement with a physician is required. Arkansas has NOT opted out of the federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement. Little Rock (UAMS, Baptist Health, Mercy) is the dominant market; Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville/Bentonville) is growing rapidly driven by Walmart headquarters and associated commercial growth. Rural Arkansas has significant CRNA shortages, particularly in the Mississippi Delta and Ouachita Mountain communities.
Practice Model
- Written collaborative practice agreement with licensed Arkansas physician required
- Arkansas has NOT opted out of federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement
- ACT model: UAMS Medical Center (Little Rock), Arkansas Children's Hospital
- CRNA-independent (with collaborative agreement): Baptist Health, Mercy Health, Conway Regional, rural CAH facilities
- Northwest Arkansas (Springdale/Fayetteville/Bentonville) is the fastest-growing CRNA market in the state
Application Requirements
- Active Arkansas RN license (compact or AR-issued)
- Current NBCRNA certification
- Official nurse anesthesia program documentation
- Completed arsbn.org application + $100 fee
- Criminal background check via Arkansas State Police
Processing Timeline
Arkansas State Board of Nursing processes APRN applications in 6–10 weeks from complete submission. Temporary authorization to practice is not routinely available. Complete applications process at a standard pace with no common bottlenecks beyond background check timing.
CRNA Salary in Arkansas (2026)
| Market | Avg CRNA Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $185,000–$215,000 | UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent; academic + community market |
| NW Arkansas (Fayetteville/Bentonville) | $188,000–$218,000 | Washington Regional, Mercy NWA; fastest-growing AR market; Walmart-driven COL |
| Fort Smith | $182,000–$208,000 | Mercy Fort Smith, UAMS Fort Smith; river valley regional hub |
| Jonesboro | $180,000–$205,000 | NEA Baptist, St. Bernards; Delta-adjacent market |
| Rural / Delta / CAH Arkansas | $185,000–$218,000 | Critical shortage areas; CRNA-only; signing bonuses $20K–$40K |
Top Employers in Arkansas
- UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) — Little Rock; academic medical center; ACT model; CRNA training partnerships
- Baptist Health — Little Rock + statewide; largest Arkansas health system; CRNA-independent at most facilities
- Mercy Health Arkansas — Fort Smith + NW Arkansas; Catholic system; CRNA-independent model
- Arkansas Children's Hospital — Little Rock; pediatric anesthesia; ACT model
- Washington Regional Medical Center — Fayetteville; NW Arkansas regional health system; growing CRNA program
What We See at Ava Health
Northwest Arkansas is Arkansas's most dynamic CRNA market — the Bentonville/Fayetteville corridor has seen explosive growth driven by Walmart headquarters, Tyson Foods, and a growing tech sector that drives elective surgical demand. Little Rock remains the academic and acute care hub. Rural Delta communities (Helena, Marianna, Dumas) have among the most severe CRNA shortages of any market in the Mid-South; Critical Access Hospitals here struggle to fill CRNA positions for months or years despite offering competitive packages.
Related: CRNA Salary by State 2026, NP License Arkansas 2026, CRNA License Louisiana 2026.
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