How to Get Your CNA Certification in Arkansas (AR): 2026 Guide

If you want to work as a Certified Nurse Aide in Arkansas, you'll train through a state-approved program, test through Headmaster (D&SDT), and list on the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry run by the Department of Human Services. This guide walks you through every step, from picking a training program to scheduling your skills exam in Little Rock, Jonesboro, or one of the other regional test sites.

Arkansas CNA at a glance

• State agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Provider Services & Quality Assurance
• Exam vendor: Headmaster / D&SDT (D&S Diversified Technologies)
• Written exam: 75 multiple-choice questions
• Skills exam: 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills, timed
• Training hours: 90 total (74 theory/classroom + 16 clinical)
• Application fee: $0 to DHS (no initial license fee charged by the state)
• Testing fee: $125 total ($95 skills + $30 written or oral)
• State registry: Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry
• Recertification cycle: Every 24 months

Who oversees CNA certification in Arkansas

CNA certification in Arkansas is overseen by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), specifically the Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance. The DHS maintains the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry, approves training programs, and authorizes candidates to test.

A helpful quirk worth knowing up front: DHS itself does not charge an initial license or application fee. You'll pay Headmaster for the exam, but the state side of the process is free.

Training programs in Arkansas

Arkansas requires 90 hours of training for every nurse aide — 74 hours of classroom/theory instruction and 16 hours of supervised clinical experience. You can find state-approved programs at community colleges, technical schools, nursing facilities, and a handful of private career schools across the state. Training typically runs 6 to 12 weeks depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time.

Tuition varies widely by provider type. Community college programs tend to run $400–$1,200 all-in (tuition, books, uniform, background check), while private career schools and "bootcamp" style programs can run higher. Always confirm the published price includes the state-required 90 hours before you sign up — some providers advertise a low base price that doesn't cover the full curriculum.

Make sure whichever program you pick is on the DHS-approved list before you enroll. Completing a non-approved program means you won't be eligible to sit for the Arkansas exam.

The CNA exam in Arkansas: Headmaster details

Arkansas uses Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies, often written D&SDT) as its testing vendor — not the NNAAP/Prometric setup you'll see in many other states. The exam has two parts:

• Written (or oral) exam: 75 multiple-choice questions covering the standard nurse aide scope of practice. You can request an oral audio version at registration if English reading is a concern.
• Skills exam: You'll perform 5 randomly selected skills in front of a Headmaster evaluator within a set time window.

You register directly through Headmaster's Arkansas page after your training program submits your completion to DHS. Allow at least a few weeks of lead time between finishing training and your preferred test date — popular sites like Little Rock book up, especially for skills evaluations.

How much does the Arkansas CNA exam cost?

Your out-of-pocket cost as a candidate is $125 total, paid to Headmaster:

• State application (DHS) — $0
• Skills exam — $95
• Written or oral exam — $30
• Total testing fees — $125

If you fail a section and need to retest, Headmaster charges a retest fee per component — check the current Headmaster fee schedule before scheduling your retake. Your training program may charge separately for the background check, TB test, or BLS/CPR card required for clinicals; budget an extra $50–$150 for those.

Here's where the Arkansas quirk really matters: if you're employed by (or have an offer from) a Medicaid-certified nursing facility, DHS may cover your testing fees. Many long-term care employers in Arkansas will reimburse or directly pay for your exam if you commit to working at their facility. Ask your employer before you pay out of pocket.

Where to take the test in Arkansas

Headmaster runs regional test sites across the state. The most consistent scheduling is in central Arkansas; the outlying sites run less frequently.

• Little Rock — the busiest site, with skills and written testing multiple times monthly. This is your best bet for a fast turnaround after training.
• Jonesboro — northeast Arkansas, testing roughly once a month. Call Headmaster to confirm the current schedule.
• Hot Springs — testing roughly once a month.
• Harrison — north-central Arkansas, periodic testing dates. Call the registry to confirm cadence.
• Benton — central Arkansas (Saline County area), periodic testing dates.

If none of these are convenient, call Headmaster directly — they sometimes add one-off regional sites in response to demand from training programs that graduate large cohorts.

Scheduling and what to bring on test day

Register for both parts of the exam through Headmaster's Arkansas candidate portal once DHS has authorized you to test. You can usually schedule the written and skills components on the same day at the same site, but not always — skills testing often runs on a separate track with its own roster, so check both calendars before locking in travel plans.

On test day bring:

• Two forms of government-issued ID (one with photo — driver's license works)
• Your Headmaster confirmation notice (printed or on your phone)
• A watch with a second hand (you'll need it for skills timing)
• Scrubs or clinical attire in any solid color; closed-toe non-canvas shoes
• No smartwatches, phones, or notes in the testing room — leave them in your car or a locker

Arrive 20–30 minutes early. The skills exam takes longer than people expect, and late arrivals get rescheduled rather than squeezed in.

After you pass: Arkansas certification and renewal

Once Headmaster reports your results, DHS adds you to the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your listing through the DHS online registry search within a few weeks of passing. Most candidates receive their registry verification card in 4–6 weeks; if you're starting work at a nursing facility before the card arrives, your employer can usually confirm your status through the registry with your social security number.

Arkansas certifications renew every 24 months. To renew, you need to have worked at least one 8-hour paid shift providing nurse aide services within the renewal window — unpaid family caregiving doesn't count. If your certification lapses, you'll need to retest or complete a refresher training program depending on how long it's been expired.

Common pitfalls specific to Arkansas

• The 3-attempt rule: You get up to 3 attempts to pass the Arkansas exam within 1 year of your training program authorization. Fail all three and you have to complete another full DHS-approved training program before you can test again — there's no quick refresher option.
• Skills score reporting can take time: Headmaster uploads skills results to DHS on a delay. Don't panic if your registry status doesn't update the morning after you test.
• Employer-paid testing is real but not automatic: If you're testing through a Medicaid facility's sponsorship, your training program coordinator needs to flag this in the DHS paperwork before you register with Headmaster, or you'll pay out of pocket and not get reimbursed.
• Oral exam must be requested in advance: You can't switch to the oral version on test day. If you want the audio read-aloud format, select it when you register.
• Out-of-state CNAs must apply through reciprocity, not just retest: If you're already certified in another state and want to list in Arkansas, DHS has a separate reciprocity process — you don't need to retake the Arkansas exam.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a CNA in Arkansas?

Most candidates finish in 2 to 3 months total: 6–12 weeks of training (90 hours) plus 2–4 weeks of scheduling and testing lead time. Accelerated programs can compress the training portion to about a month if you attend full-time.

How much does the Arkansas CNA test cost?

$125 total paid to Headmaster — $95 for the skills exam and $30 for the written or oral exam. The state itself charges no application fee. If a Medicaid-certified nursing facility sponsors you, they may cover these fees.

Can I challenge the Arkansas CNA exam without training?

No. Arkansas requires completion of a 90-hour DHS-approved training program before you're eligible to sit for the exam. There is no challenge or equivalency pathway that skips training for new CNAs in Arkansas.

How many times can I retake the Arkansas CNA exam?

You have up to 3 attempts within 1 year of your training program authorization. After the third failed attempt, or after the 1-year window closes, you must complete another full DHS-approved training program before testing again.

Does Arkansas have a nurse aide registry, and how do I check my status?

Yes — the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by DHS. You can verify your listing online through the DHS provider services portal a few weeks after passing both exam components.

Practice questions for the Arkansas CNA exam are at /exam and clinical-skills walkthroughs are at /skills.