Under Act 457 of 2023, the "Automatic Occupational Licensure for Out-of-State Licensure Act," the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) may be able to issue an automatic license if the applicant:

  1. Has established a residence in Arkansas;
  2. Does not have a disqualifying criminal conviction as defined in Ark. Code Ann. § 17-3-102 or any additional state law relating to occupational licensure;
  3. Does not have a complaint, allegation or investigation pending for his or her occupational activity;
  4. Passes an examination demonstrating competency in the field;
  5. If required, furnishes a bond, financial statement, or proof of insurance; and
  6. Is an individual who either:
    1. Has been a holder in good standing for one (1) year of an occupational licensure with similar scope of practice used by another state, territory or district of the United States; or
    2. Worked in another state, territory or district of the United States that does not issue a license of similar scope of practice and the applicant demonstrates that he or she has worked for at least three (3) years in the occupation in lieu of the proof that he or she has an occupational license.