Hold an active, unencumbered U.S. medical license or apply for Arkansas medical licensure if licensed in another state.
Graduate from an LCME- or COCA-accredited medical school (MD or DO).
Complete an ACGME- or AOA-approved residency program.
Submit official medical school transcripts sent directly to the Arkansas State Medical Board.
Provide verification of residency training sent directly from your residency program.
Provide verification of all past and current medical licenses, sent directly from each state board.
Submit national board exam scores (USMLE, COMLEX), sent directly from the appropriate testing body.
1. Complete the Arkansas Medical License Application through the Arkansas State Medical Board (ASMB) online portal.
Pay all required application and licensing fees.
Upload or submit all required documents, including:
Medical school transcripts
Training verification
License verifications
Proof of identity
NPDB (National Practitioner Data Bank) self-query
2. Complete all required state and FBI background checks, including fingerprinting.
3. Respond fully to all professional history, disciplinary, malpractice, and character questions.
Arkansas physicians may practice independently; no collaborative physician is required.
To prescribe controlled substances in Arkansas, you must:
To maintain your Arkansas medical license:
For MDs and DOs
Complete 20 hours of CME annually, which must include:
For controlled substance prescribers
Complete the mandatory 1-hour opioid prescribing CME every renewal cycle.
Meet any additional CE requirements related to safe prescribing as required by ASMB.
Typical processing time: 3–6 weeks, depending on the completeness of submitted documents and background check clearance.
Applications with training gaps, license history issues, or malpractice reports may take longer.
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Check out individual state requirements by clicking the links down below.
