Ark. Code Ann. tit. 17, ch. 4

in effect

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-4-106 Expedited occupational licensure.

(a)(1) An occupational licensing entity may submit proposed rules recommending an expedited process for the attainment of occupational licensure instead of automatic occupational licensure as provided under § 17-4-105 to the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council. (2) The proposed rules described in subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall include temporary or provisional occupational licensure provisions with a term of ninety (90) days or more. (3) The occupational licensing entity shall provide automatic occupational licensure if the proposed expedited occupational licensure rules are not approved as required by § 17-4-109. (b)(1) An occupational licensing entity shall expedite the process for initial occupational licensure for an individual who is listed in § 17-4-104. (2) An occupational licensing entity shall provide the applicant under subdivision (b)(1) of this section with a temporary or provisional license upon receipt of required documentation or the successful completion of any examination required by the relevant occupational licensing entity to enable the applicant to secure employment in his or her occupation or profession.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-4-107 Acceptance of uniformed service education, training, national certification, or service-issued credential.

An occupational licensing entity shall accept relevant and applicable uniformed service education, training, national certification, or service- issued credential toward occupational licensure qualifications or requirements when considering an application for initial licensure of an individual listed in § 17-4-104 .

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-4-108 Extension of license expiration and continuing education requirements.

(a) An occupational licensing entity shall extend the expiration date of an occupational licensure for a deployed uniformed service member or his or her spouse for one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the uniformed service member's return from deployment. (b)(1) An occupational licensing entity shall allow a full or partial exemption from a continuing education requirement that is required as a component of occupational licensure for an individual who is listed in subsection (a) of this section until one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the uniformed service member's return from deployment. (2) An occupational licensing entity that allows full or partial exemption from continuing education requirements may require evidence of completion of continuing education before granting a subsequent occupational licensure or authorizing the renewal of an occupational licensure.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-4-109 Legislative oversight of rules.

(a) The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council shall: (1) Review the proposed rules of an occupational licensing entity as submitted for public comment at least thirty (30) days before the public comment period ends under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq.; and (2) Approve the proposed rules submitted under § 17-4-106 based on: (A) A determination of whether the expedited process provides the least restrictive means of attaining occupational licensure; and (B) Any other criteria the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council determines necessary to achieve the objectives of this section. (b) The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council may: (1) Establish a further subcommittee to assist in the duties assigned to the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council under this section; (2) Assign information filed with the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council under this section to one (1) or more subcommittees of the Legislative Council, including without limitation a subcommittee created under subdivision (b)(1) of this section; or (3) Delegate the duties of the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council under this section to one (1) or more subcommittees of the Legislative Council, which hall be subject to the final review and approval of the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-4-110 Responsibilities of occupational licensing entities.

An occupational licensing entity shall: (1) Submit proposed rules authorized under § 17-4-106 to the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council for review and approval before the proposed rules are promulgated under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq.; (2) If the proposed rules are not approved as required under § 17-4-109, provide automatic occupational licensure to an individual listed in § 17-4-104; and (3) Post prominently on the occupational licensing entity's website a link entitled “Military Member Licensure” that directly leads to information applicable to an individual listed in § 17-4-104 .

Source: Arkansas General Assembly, Acts of 2021-2026 (arkleg.state.ar.us)URL: https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=135.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021RFetched: 11/8/2026