Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Exam
- Third-party exam
- Education
- Degree
- Experience
- Not reported
- Background check
- Required
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) has advanced knowledge and practice skills in a specialized area of clinical nursing practice. The CNS performs advanced assessments, analyses and evaluations of individuals, families and communities. As an advanced clinician in a specialty area, the CNS develops, implements and evaluates comprehensive treatment plans. The CNS also consults with the public and professionals in health care, business and industry in areas of research, case management, education and administration. Specialty certifications recognized by the Board include psychiatric and mental health, gerontological, adult health, acute/critical care, and pediatric. Requirements: 1) Must possess an active license as a Registered Nurse in Arkansas or privilege to practice on a registered Nurse compact state license. 2) Hold a master's degree evidencing successful completion of a graduate program in nursing, which shall include supervised clinical practice and classroom instruction in a nursing clinical practice specialty. 3) Hold a current certification by a national certifying body recognized by the Board. 4) Criminal background check and FBI fingerprint check required. 5) Exam applicants must have practiced a minimum of 2,000 hours as an RN. Written and oral examinations required. License fee: $125.00 initial, Renewal fee: $65.00 biennially, Temporary Permit fee: $30.00
Requirements reported by the state
- Licence type
- Stand-alone license
- Exam
- Third-party exam required
- Education
- Degree required
- Continuing education
- Continuing education required
- Certification
- Certification required
- Background check
- Background check required
- Physical requirement
- No physical requirements
- Military and veterans
- A temporary license available to military and spouses until formal license approval
Issuing body
- Department
- Arkansas Department of Health
- Board
- Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Address
- University Tower Building, Suite 800 1123 South University Little Rock, AR 72204
- Phone
- (501) 686-2700
- Agency website
- www.arsbn.org
- Last updated
- June 28, 2024
Occupations (O*NET)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist 29-1141.04
Source and verification
This record is Arkansas's report to the Analyst Resource Center, published by CareerOneStop (October 2024 export). Everything shown comes only from that report.
Before you apply, confirm every detail with Arkansas State Board of Nursing — see the issuing body section above.
How we process this data. Not legal advice.