How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Arkansas
Arkansas employs approximately 17,260 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,430 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.42x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Arkansas
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as Nursing Assistant (Certified), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: Certified Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Human Services - Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 90 hours of experience (roughly 0.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Arkansas Department of Human Services - Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Arkansas is $34,430 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,840 and experienced professionals can earn $39,020 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Arkansas Department of Human Services - Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance
- Median wage (Arkansas): $34,430 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Human Services - Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Arkansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant (Certified) | Nursing Assistants help care for physically or mentally ill, injured, disabled, or infirm individuals confined to hospitals, nursing care facilities, and mental health settings. |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: Certified Nurse Practitioner | The Certified Nurse Practitioner provides for the health care needs of patients through advanced assessment, identification of health states including abnormal conditions, diagnosing, treatment and ev… |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) administers anesthetics under the supervision of a licensed physician, licensed dentist, or other person lawfully entitled to order anesthesia. |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | The Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) manages health care of women with a focus on pregnancy, childbirth, and post delivery care of the mother and newborn. |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Registered Nurses (RN) are qualified to formulate nursing diagnoses and conduct nursing treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are qualified to perform services in the provision of supportive or restorative care under the supervision of a professional registered nurse, advanced practice registe… |
| Registered Nurse Practitioner (RNP) | A Registered Nurse Practitioner (RNP) is a licensed professional nurse who provides direct care to individuals, families, and other groups in a variety of settings, including homes, hospitals, offices… |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Nursing Home Administrators direct and coordinate all nursing home services. They are responsible for marketing, public relations, safety, and overseeing the entire resident care program. |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) has advanced knowledge and practice skills in a specialized area of clinical nursing practice. |
| Licensed Psychiatric Technician Nurse (LPTN) | Licensed Psychiatric Technician Nurses (LPTN) assist mentally ill patients under the direction of a professional registered nurse, an advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed physician or a lice… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 5,250 | $35,370 | $35,440 | $29,460 | $44,480 |
| Memphis | 4,930 | $38,010 | $38,520 | $31,660 | $44,540 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 2,320 | $35,820 | $35,720 | $30,210 | $41,180 |
| Fort Smith | 1,580 | $32,020 | $31,750 | $25,040 | $36,960 |
| Jonesboro | 1,050 | $35,210 | $33,820 | $29,510 | $39,020 |
| Texarkana | 820 | $32,880 | $32,650 | $24,620 | $40,970 |
| Hot Springs | 810 | $29,940 | $32,750 | $29,550 | $37,800 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Arkansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Arkansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 5,250 | $35,370 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 2,320 | $35,820 |
| Fort Smith | 1,580 | $32,020 |
| Jonesboro | 1,050 | $35,210 |
| Hot Springs | 810 | $29,940 |
Explore More Trades in Arkansas
- Electrician in Arkansas
- Plumber in Arkansas
- HVAC Technician in Arkansas
- Welder in Arkansas
- Carpenter in Arkansas
- Solar Installation Technician in Arkansas
- Auto Mechanic in Arkansas
- CNC Machinist in Arkansas
- Medical Assistant in Arkansas
- Massage Therapist in Arkansas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 17,260 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Human Services - Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arkansas.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Arkansas is $34,430, which is $5,100 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Human Services - Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance - Licensing Information: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dpsqa ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |