TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF FULL INDEPENDENT PRACTICE AUTHORITY BY A CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONER OR CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST.

House Bill 1244 proposes to amend the requirements for Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in Arkansas to obtain a certificate of full independent practice authority. The bill reduces the required practice hours from 6,240 to 2,000 hours. These hours can be completed either under a board-required collaborative practice agreement with a physician in Arkansas or from practice in another state, territory, or foreign country where the professional had prescriptive authority. The aim is to adjust the pathway for these healthcare professionals to achieve independent practice.