Healthy Communities

Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee

The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee was created by Act 412 of 2021. This legislation provides a pathway to full practice authority for Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNP). Legislative changes in 2023 (Act 872) expanded Full Independent Practice to Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS). The Committee accomplishes this by reviewing the applications submitted by CNPs and CNSs who apply for full independent practice authority.

Pursuant to ACA §17-87-314(e) the responsibilities of the Committee are:

Members

The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee is an eight-member committee created within the Arkansas Department of Health and appointed by the Governor. Committee members serve three-year terms, but not more than two consecutive terms. The committee shall consist of the following members:

The Director of the Arkansas State Medical Board and the Director of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing serve as ex officio nonvoting members.

Name Position Appointed
Mitzi Scotten, MD NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine – Fort Smith 9/1/21
Donna Shipley, MD AR College of Osteopathic Medicine – Fort Smith 9/1/21
William Hawkins, MD At-Large 9/23/21
Darlene Byrd, DNP, APRN UAMS 9/1/21
Leonie DeClerk, PhD, DNP, APRN UAMS 9/1/21
Mark Foster, DNP, APRN
Vice Chair
ASU 9/1/21
Julia Ponder, DNP, APRN
Chair
At large 9/1/21


Meetings

Minutes

Resources

Act 412 of 2021 allows a pathway for certified nurse practitioners (CNPs) or clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) to apply for full independent practice after having practiced 6,240 hours under a collaborative practice agreement.

Applications shall be submitted through the Arkansas Nurse Portal. Once all required documents have been received, applications will be sent for review by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee (FIPCC). The FIPCC will meet at least quarterly to review applications.

Instructions to Access the Application:

 

Contact Us

Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee
4815 W. Markham St., Slot 75
Little Rock, AR 72205
Email

Public Health Accrediation Board
Arkansas Department of Health
© 2017 Arkansas Department of Health. All Rights Reserved. www.healthy.arkansas.gov
4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
1-800-462-0599