State guide · Arkansas · Licensing
Arkansas licensing requirements
Medical license application, controlled-substance registration, Medicaid enrollment, telehealth rules, and CME for Arkansas.
Medical board
Arkansas State Medical Board
License timeline
60–90 days
IMLC member
Yes
CME hours
60 per 2 yrs
Renewal cycle
2 years
Separate CS registration
No
The information on this page is provided for general reference only and may not reflect recent regulatory or legislative changes. State licensing requirements, fees, and timelines change frequently. Always verify requirements directly with the relevant state agency or a qualified legal or compliance professional before making practice decisions. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice.
State medical license
Arkansas physicians apply to the Arkansas State Medical Board. Arkansas passed IMLC enabling legislation; Verify implementation status.
Arkansas requires medical school graduation, postgraduate training, USMLE/COMLEX passage, and primary-source verification.
- •Apply through Arkansas State Medical Board online portal
- •IMLC: Verify current implementation status
- •Minimum 1 year postgraduate training (3 years for IMGs)
- •Initial license fee approximately $400 (Verify current)
Controlled-substance registration
Arkansas does not require a separate state-level Controlled Substance Registration beyond the federal DEA registration (Verify). Arkansas prescribers must register with the Arkansas PDMP.
Medicaid enrollment
Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services — Division of Medical Services
Arkansas Medicaid enrollment is administered through the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Enrollment portal. Arkansas Works (managed care) and PASSE programs require separate plan credentialing.
Estimated timeline: Verify — typically 60–90 days
- •Apply through Arkansas Medicaid online enrollment
- •PASSE managed care credentialing for behavioral health
- •Revalidation required every 5 years
Telehealth notes
Arkansas permits telehealth. Arkansas license required to treat Arkansas-located patients. Arkansas Telemedicine Act sets standards.
- •Arkansas license required to treat Arkansas-located patients
CME requirements
Arkansas requires 60 CME hours per 2-year renewal cycle, with at least 20 in AMA PRA Category 1.
Total hours: 60 per 2-year cycle
Mandatory topics:
Official resources
Bookmark these official agency portals for Arkansas licensing, controlled-substance registration, and Medicaid enrollment.
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