Arkansas Physician License 2026: ASBME Process, IMLC Fast-Track, Timeline & UAMS / Baptist Health / CHI St. Vincent Credentialing

Arkansas's physician market is led by Little Rock (UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas Children's) with secondary markets in Fayetteville/Bentonville (Washington Regional, Mercy Northwest) and Fort Smith (Mercy Fort Smith). Arkansas State Board of Medical Examiners (ASBME) is an IMLC member.

Major health system credentialing (AR)

• UAMS Health (Little Rock): 120–150 days academic. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — Arkansas Children's Hospital, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Level I trauma. AR's only academic medical center.
• Baptist Health (Little Rock / statewide): 90–120 days large faith-based system with 11 hospitals statewide.
• CHI St. Vincent Health (Little Rock): 90–120 days Catholic regional system.
• Washington Regional Medical Center (Fayetteville): 90–120 days regional; serves the high-growth NW Arkansas (Walmart/Bentonville) market.
• Mercy Northwest Arkansas (Rogers): 90–120 days. Rapidly growing market driven by tech/logistics sector in-migration.

What we see at Ava Health

NW Arkansas (Fayetteville/Bentonville/Rogers) is one of the fastest-growing markets in the US — Walmart's headquarters and supplier ecosystem have created significant demand for specialist and primary care as population growth outpaces hospital capacity. Little Rock academic market is consistent. Rural AR (Mississippi River Delta, Ozarks, south Arkansas) has severe primary care shortages and geographic premiums. $320 fee is one of the lowest in the South.

Related: Tennessee Physician License 2026, Missouri Physician License 2026.