Arkansas comes closer to a 6-month LPN program than most states — requiring only 1,100 training hours, among the lowest nationally. Programs at UACCM and Black River Technical College can finish in as few as 9 months. That's not 6 months, but it's 3–6 months faster than states like Pennsylvania or California. If speed is your priority, Arkansas is one of the fastest legitimate options in the country.
⚡ Fastest: 9–11 Months🏥 Local Clinical Placement💰 From ~$4K✅ Accredited Programs
⚠️ Why 6-Month LPN Programs Don't Exist in Arkansas
At 1,100 required hours, Arkansas has one of the shortest LPN training requirements nationally — but it's still not 6 months. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing mandates both theory and supervised clinical practice that fills 9–11 months of full-time study. UACCM's accelerated track is among the fastest in the state. The cost is low too: community college programs run $3,000–$6,000, and Pell Grants cover everything.
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~$5K
Avg. Program Cost
10–12
Months (Fastest)
$52K+
Avg. AR LPN Salary
NCLEX-PN
Licensure Exam
What's the Fastest LPN Program in Arkansas?
If you're searching for a "6-month LPN program," what you really want is the fastest legitimate path to your nursing license. In Arkansas, the quickest accredited programs run 10–12 months full-time. Here's how they work:
Accelerated full-time: Classes and clinicals 4–5 days/week, 10–12 month completion
Hybrid/online theory: Study lectures at home, attend clinicals on set days — still 11–14 months
Evening/weekend tracks: Designed for working adults, typically 14–18 months
Community colleges in Arkansas offer some of the most affordable paths — often under $8,000 total tuition for in-district students. Private nursing schools cost more but sometimes offer faster schedules and more flexible clinical placement.
Accredited LPN Schools in Arkansas
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Verify current enrollment status directly with each school.
Arkansas State University–Beebe
📍 Beebe
HybridUniversity Branch
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$5,800Clinical: Regional hospitals
National Park College
📍 Hot Springs
HybridCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$5,100Clinical: Garland County facilities
NorthWest Arkansas CC
📍 Bentonville
HybridCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$5,400Clinical: NWA healthcare partners
Arkansas LPN Licensure Requirements
Requirement
Detail
Governing Body
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Program Accreditation
Must be state board-approved
Minimum Clinical Hours
400 hours
Licensure Exam
NCLEX-PN (Pearson VUE)
Background Check
Required prior to clinical placement
CPR Certification
Required before clinical start
Drug Screening
Required by most clinical partner facilities
Immunizations
Per program/facility requirements
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LPN Salary in Arkansas
Licensed Practical Nurses in Arkansas earn an average of $52,540/year ($25.26/hour) according to the BLS. Salaries vary by city, experience, and work setting.
Little Rock: $54,200/year
Fort Smith: $51,800/year
Fayetteville: $53,100/year
Top employers: Skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, physician offices
No. Despite what some ads claim, no accredited LPN program in Arkansas can be completed in 6 months. State boards require hundreds of supervised clinical hours that simply cannot be compressed into that timeframe. The fastest legitimate programs take 10–11 months.
The fastest accredited programs run about 10–12 months for full-time students. Some accelerated tracks at technical colleges can get close to 10 months, but you'll be in class and clinicals nearly every day. Part-time or hybrid programs typically take 14–18 months.
Community college programs often run $4,000–$12,000 for in-district students. Private and nationally accredited programs can range from $18,000–$35,000. Financial aid, grants, and employer tuition assistance may be available.
After graduating from an approved program and applying through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, you schedule your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. Testing centers are located in major Arkansas cities.
Hybrid programs that combine online theory with in-person clinicals are legitimate and approved by state boards. However, any program claiming to be 100% online with no clinical requirement is not accredited and will not qualify you for NCLEX-PN or licensure.
⚠️ Data Disclaimer: Salary figures, tuition costs, program lengths, and school information are gathered from publicly available sources and intended as general guidance. Program availability, accreditation, and tuition are subject to change — verify details with the school and Arkansas State Board of Nursing before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.
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