Video & Transcript Research : 'LPN'
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AL
Keywords:
HB128, Alabama Board of Nursing, Sunset Law, sunset review, nursing board, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, advanced practice nursing, certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA, consumer member, board appointments, congressional districts, geographic representation, nursing regulation, nursing education programs, licensure compact
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Keywords:
early voting, electoral participation, voting centers, Alabama elections, absentee ballot, HB128, Alabama Board of Nursing, Sunset Law, sunset review, nursing board, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, advanced practice nursing, certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA, consumer member, board appointments
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 4th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Keywords:
pediatric care, emergency departments, hospital regulations, patient safety, health care standards, veterans, dental care, healthcare, grant program, income assistance, human trafficking, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, Florida Board of Nursing, Department of Health, licensure by examination, nursing education
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment first on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the iBudget waiver. Testimony on the HIV program warned that proposed Department of Health changes could disrupt care for thousands of clients, create confusion, and force people off life-saving medications; a senator suggested affected clients explore medically needy and FQHC/340B options. Testimony on iBudget urged support for a roughly 7% rate adjustment for direct support professionals, citing rising costs and the need to sustain the developmental disabilities workforce.
The committee then considered several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 and was reported favorably. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligning reporting dates with the House was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1718 lengthened the time an adult may stay in an out-of-home placement before being treated as a visitor, reduced background screening burdens for foster families, made the Step Into Success program permanent, and created a best-practices program; it was also reported favorably.
The committee next approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials and requires related compliance records, and SB 96, which expands the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level; an amendment removed the bill’s specific $500,000 appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing education to include a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, and SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain area-of-critical-need health care providers if federal designations change, both of which were reported favorably. The committee adjourned after all bills passed their roll calls.
FL
Keywords:
drowning prevention, water safety, swimming lessons, swim vouchers, child drowning, infant safety, toddler safety, pool safety, bath safety, safe bathing practices, postpartum education, newborn care, childbirth education, birth centers, home birth providers, Department of Health, public health, water competency, swim instruction, infant supervision
Summary:
The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up several health-related bills, with a strong focus on drowning prevention and patient safety. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. Supporters, including a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA leadership, cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be available to more children. Senator Harrell noted the need to consider increasing the program’s funding as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee also heard SB 606 by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer home birth providers. A parent who lost a child to drowning testified in support, and senators emphasized the preventability of such deaths. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 340 by Senator Harrell would require nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure; after a strike-all amendment shifted the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves, the bill received support from advocates and was reported favorably as a committee substitute.
The committee also considered SB 162 by Senator Davis, which would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already common in many facilities, while opponents and some senators questioned the medical evidence, enforcement, and possible impacts on rural and smaller facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with some members voting no. SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, would remove the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change as pro-small-business, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation comparing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system with other states, focusing on board autonomy, rulemaking oversight, board composition, appointments, term limits, and funding mechanisms.
FL
Keywords:
injunctions, protection orders, domestic violence, serious violence, court procedures, enforcement, risk protection, statewide communication system, pediatric care, emergency departments, hospital regulations, patient safety, health care standards, public records, violence protection, confidentiality, defamation, specialty license plate, specialty plates, motor vehicle registration
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and reported a series of bills favorably, covering health care, public safety, insurance, coastal resilience, juvenile justice, drowning prevention, transportation designations, and beach management. Senator Harrell presented CS/SB 68, requiring hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, designated pediatric readiness personnel, and participation in a national readiness assessment; it passed. Harrell also presented CS/SB 340, requiring nursing students to complete two hours of human trafficking identification training before licensure; it also passed. Senator Sharif’s CS/SB 32 and SB 210, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and the related public records bill, were both reported favorably. Senator Garcia’s CS/CS/SB 302 on nature-based coastal resiliency, Senator Jones’s SB 418 on law enforcement interaction with individuals with autism and the Blue Envelope Program, and Senator Martin’s CS/SB 1734 updating juvenile probation and detention officer definitions and related cost-share language were also approved.
The committee then took up several drowning-prevention measures. CS/SB 606 by Senator Smith would add drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials and direct the Department of Health to create standardized materials; an amendment removed a records-retention requirement, and the bill passed. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand the state swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7; it received strong support from advocates, including a young swim instructor and autism advocates, and passed. The committee also approved CS/SB 246, a specialty license plate bill that was amended to include the UFC plate and a First Responders’ Resiliency Foundation plate, and CS/SB 1028, which revises Citizens Property Insurance and clearinghouse procedures to prioritize admitted carriers and prohibit public funds for the clearinghouse; that bill drew discussion about market competition, Citizens’ exposure, and potential impacts on policyholders.
Additional measures reported favorably included SB 628, designating a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as Warrior Sacrifice Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack, and CS/SB 636 on beach management, which would create a proactive pathway for coastal communities to obtain erosion-related designations and align with federal programs. Beach industry testimony supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about perpetual easements and funding shortfalls. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (03/04/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- LPNs are critical component of our New LPNs are critical component of our New Hampshire<00:10:34.160>
- if there's an expanded number of LPNs if there's an expanded number of LPNs enabled<00:13:25.760
- that it's not a new concept for the LPN that it's not a new concept for the LPN to<00:15:36.640>
- question to you is can an LPN question to you is can an LPN replace<00:16:12.000>
an <00:16 - replacing RNs with LPNs? replacing RNs with LPNs?
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 12th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Conversely, we are not seeing the same results with the LPN workforce, our licensed practical nurses,
- And here, this graph shows that our LPN workforce is much older than our RN workforce, and that's going
- to the committee's attention is the age of the nursing workforce and here this graph shows that our LPN
- and the LPN to RN program.
- So it's just such a nice pipeline to get them directly into the LPN to RN program.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to focus on nursing education funding, workforce supply, and Florida’s low NCLEX pass rates. The chair emphasized that Florida ranks last nationally in nursing exam pass rates and said the committee wants to use budget decisions and a forthcoming nursing bill to improve outcomes. The Florida Center for Nursing at USF presented preliminary workforce and education data showing RN supply is moving toward equilibrium with demand through 2037, while LPN shortages are projected to worsen, especially in some regions. The center also reported on enrollment, retention, faculty vacancies, and NCLEX trends, noting Florida still underperforms the national average but has shown some recent improvement, including higher RN pass rates in 2024 despite fewer test takers. The center highlighted that students who test sooner after graduation tend to pass at higher rates.
A panel of nursing education leaders from public universities, state colleges, technical colleges, and private institutions described how prior state pipeline and line-item funding helped expand enrollment, simulation labs, faculty hiring, student support services, and partnerships with hospitals. UNF, Galen College, College of Central Florida, Keiser University, and Lorenzo Walker Technical College each reported strategies such as expanded simulation, mental health and social work support, test-prep and remediation, and efforts to grow faculty pipelines. Several speakers said faculty recruitment and retention remain major barriers because of salary competition with hospitals, faculty debt, and aging faculty. Technical college representatives also stressed the need to strengthen LPN pathways, English-language support, and LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
Members asked for ideas to improve NCLEX outcomes and discussed possible policy options, including student loan forgiveness, critical shortage supplements for faculty, incentives for students to test soon after graduation, and possible changes to timing or regulation around NCLEX eligibility. Several witnesses supported more flexible or recurring funding, while noting that one-time line funding has been useful for simulation, scholarships, and faculty support but is harder to sustain. The committee adjourned after the discussion, with the chair saying the ideas would be considered in future funding and policy decisions.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 1:00 P.M.
Veterans and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- certification test and then if they passed they would be an LPN.
- certification test and then if they passed they would be an LPN.
- I mean, LPN can still do what an LPN can do and they still have to take the test to be certified. >>
- I mean, LPN can still do what an LPN can do and they still have to take the test to be certified. >>
- mean, LPN can still do what an LPN can mean, LPN can still do what an LPN can do<00:02:10.319>
Summary:
The committee considered House Bill 612, which had two main parts. Section one would expand an existing authority allowing state agencies, like counties and municipalities already could, to enter memoranda of understanding with federal installations to help complete projects. Section two would add Coast Guard medics to a prior law letting military medics use their training to sit for the LPN certification test. A member asked whether this changed scope of practice, and the sponsor said it did not, noting the applicants would still have to pass the test to be certified.
After brief discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by voice vote, with the chair announcing that the ayes had it and the bill would be reported out. The committee then took up nominations to the State Veterans Affairs Board.
Brigadier General Billy Lamar Pierce was presented for reappointment to represent the Third Congressional District, and Command Sergeant Major Sylvester Tatum was presented for reappointment at large, both for five-year terms. Both nominees spoke about their service and commitment to veterans, and members and senators offered supportive remarks, including comments about veterans’ services, state veterans homes, staffing, and compensation for staff. The committee voted to advise and consent on both nominations, and the chair said they would be reported. The chair also reminded members that the documents contained personal information and had to remain in the room to be shredded.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um and the important thing to note LPNs.
- LPNs could conduct these assessments prior to assisted living licensure, and LPNs conduct these assessments
- LPNs could conduct these assessments prior to assisted living licensure, and LPNs conduct these assessments
- <01:44:09.040>
and <01:44:09.280>they LPNs throughout my organization and they LPNs - <01:53:42.239>
could is that um basically an LPN could is that um basically an LPN could conduct
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- language was consistent with the LPN language was consistent with the LPN scope<01:35:08.320>
- stakeholders on the role that the LPN stakeholders on the role that the LPN may<01:36:05.600>
- LPNs could conduct these assessments prior to a change, and LPNs conduct these assessments in every other
- LPNs could conduct these assessments prior to a change, and LPNs conduct these assessments in every other
- previous assessment to reference LPNs previous assessment to reference LPNs could<01:37:33.360><
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma Education Commission Feb 26th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Oklahoma Education Commission
Transcript Highlights:
- They put out a lot of LPNs. They all did no. These are the best they've ever been in Oklahoma.
- We need LPNs; we can't find them.
- Then our RN people are recruiting LPNs to come in, but we need to align our curriculum to where An LPN
- They're saying we need LPNs really badly. We don't need our ends. We need LPNs. We can't find them.
- Our pass rate for our LPN programs is 100%. Last three years, there's no risk there.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Their clinical experience often exceeds the civilian LPN programs.
- Their clinical experience often exceeds the civilian LPN programs.
- But the places that these LPNs would serve in are jobs that nurses won't take, okay?
- These jobs for the LPNs, you know, in the prison system, all right? They're short on staff there.
- They're actually allowing military medics to be LPNs.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process.
Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans.
Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Allowing LPNs to work to the top of their scope and training allows RNs in assisted living facilities
- With the amendment, we clarified our in-practice LPN practice and comprehensive assessments.
- LPNs are trained, licensed health professionals who have the ability to conduct these assessments.
- LPNs could conduct these assessments prior to AL licensure, and LPNs conduct these assessments in every
- The LPN role has historically been a stepping stone to achieve an RN license and more.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 18th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of our new initiatives include our high school LPN program, and we plan to launch an LPN program
- We're still looking forward to launching our LPN high school in fall 2026.
- So I'm interested in your LPN. program. Absolutely.
- LPN?
- Madam Chair, I'm not aware of any other LPN programs in the other schools.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 4, 2025 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- IF I CAN BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE LOWER TWO MAPS NOW THIS IS FOCUSING ON OUR LPN WORKFORCE.
- Speaker: THANK YOU IF I MAY REPEAT THE QUESTION YOU ARE ASKING WHAT HAS DRIVEN THE SHORTAGE OF OUR LPNS
- LIKE LOOKING AT SLIDE 5 AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RN AND LPN DO HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MANY
- USING OUR LPN HAVING A SEAMLESS TRANSITION TO THOSE WHO WANT TO PROGRESS INTO THE ROLE OF RN.
- USING OUR LPN HAVING A SEAMLESS TRANSITION TO THOSE WHO WANT TO PROGRESS INTO THE ROLE OF RN.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Health Services (2-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- the<00:14:50.160>
exam <00:14:50.480>for <00:14:50.639>an <00:14:50.759>LPN - <00:14:51.279>
license out and take the exam for an LPN license out and take the exam for - an LPN license and<00:14:52.279>
then <00:14:52.440>once <00:14:52.680>they <00:14 - <00:14:55.079>
license they want to go to from an LPN license they want to go to from an LPN - they have a a lot more become LPN they have a a lot more clinical<00:15:33.680>
background <00
Keywords:
00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call
01:23 Discussion of 25RS HB 219
06:40 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 219
07:44 Discussion of 25RS HCR 20
09:36 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HCR 20
10:58 Discussion of 25RS HB 303
17:02 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 303
18:38 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations
21:46 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 219, sponsored by Representative Rebecca Raymer. The bill requires emergency services to provide mandatory training for emergency medical staff on sexual assault emergency response requirements, with the training developed in collaboration with the Sexual Assault Response Team advisory committee. Testimony from Jenna Cassidy of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs and WN Stevens of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky explained that the training would help emergency department staff properly respond to sexual assault patients, preserve evidence, and connect patients to needed resources; the committee also clarified that the bill is training-focused and not a certification requirement. HB 219 received favorable expression and was reported to the House floor.
The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 20, also from Representative Raymer, which directs the Legislative Research Commission to study gaps in sexual assault nurse examiner coverage, why those gaps exist, and what hospitals do when no SANE nurse is available. Raymer said the study was intended to gather data for future legislation, and members noted the importance of documenting current practices and supporting efforts to expand SANE coverage. The resolution was adopted with 16 favorable votes and recommended for passage on the House floor.
Next, the committee took up House Bill 303, sponsored by Representative Steve Bratcher, which creates a pathway for military medical personnel to translate their training into civilian Kentucky credentials through colleges and universities. The committee substitute broadened participation beyond KCTCS to any Kentucky institution with accredited programs, and Bratcher explained that schools would evaluate military experience, award applicable credit, identify gaps, and still require the relevant licensure exam. Members asked about university participation, credentialing standards, and how prior military radiology training would transfer; Bratcher said the program is voluntary for institutions and works with existing SkillBridge and veterans’ programs. HB 303, as amended by committee substitute, passed unanimously and was recommended for passage.
At the end of the meeting, the committee briefly reviewed administrative regulations. Representative Fleming asked about a behavioral regulation that had previously been found sufficient, and staff indicated it had been deferred, later found deficient again in the Senate Health Services Committee, and may be addressed through Senate Bill 65. The chair then allowed members to record additional votes before adjourning and announced the next Health Services meeting would be February 20 at noon in Room 149.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- When we think about amplifying the lpn program and the aren't program as defending in whatever level
- So it's just such a nice pipeline to get them directly into the lpn RN program.
- So I would say that any legislative funding structures that would support directly that Lpn RN program
- We just launched an lpn RN program in our county item Clea Technical College and they'll students are
- And I think with the lpn RN bridge programs that we have with all of our technology is all 28 of our
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We license LPNs, RNs, and APRNs.
- Yes, the LPN in the state is ...
- to increase LPN and retain LPN.
- <00:45:10.880>
in um there are uh yes some LPN in um there are uh yes some LPN in considered - to increase LPN and retain LPN<00:45:33.960>
um <00:45:34.960>and <00:45:35.200>there's
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Workforce Committee in Session Jan 19th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Registered nurses and LPNs by far are in greatest need now.
- What we're finding and seeing in trends is continuation of RNs and LPNs and...
- Now what we're finding and seeing in trends is continuation of RNs and LPNs not tending or heading towards
- focus being driven toward those, and that's probably the reason why we're seeing a lot of RNs and LPNs
- you will see in an assisted living is going to be an aide, a nurse aide or certified nurse aide, an LPN
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Marty Wright, CEO of the West Virginia Healthcare Association, on the state’s long-term care system. He described the continuum from home care to assisted living to skilled nursing facilities, emphasizing that these settings increasingly serve short-term rehab-to-home patients as well as older adults needing round-the-clock care. He also outlined the number of facilities in West Virginia, the predominance of Medicaid as the payer for long-term nursing home care, the private-pay nature of assisted living, and the role of OFAC/CMS in regulation.
A major focus of the presentation was workforce shortages and turnover, especially for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, along with declining interest in nursing careers and the impact of regulatory burden and burnout. Wright said the system is also struggling to serve younger patients with substance use disorder, mental illness, or other behavioral needs, who are often not well suited for traditional nursing home placement but have limited alternatives. Senators raised concerns about where such patients are being housed, the long-term effects of opioid and behavioral health issues, and the gap between school-age special needs populations and adult care needs.
Wright said Medicaid can cover long-term nursing home care for those who meet financial and medical eligibility requirements, but affordability and spend-down requirements remain major barriers. He also warned that Medicare Advantage can create confusion and shorter covered stays for rehab patients, and he urged early planning around long-term care insurance and estate planning. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Jan 15th, 2026
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- In 1948, we added the regulation of LPNs, and in 1995 we added advanced practice registered nurses.
- RNs and LPNs are required to pass a standard national licensure exam in order to be licensed, and advanced
- The LPNs in Arkansas receive a certificate.
- The LPNs in Arkansas receive a certification of graduation.
- Their program length is about one year, and currently there are 14,000 actively licensed LPNs in the
Summary:
The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, saying it regulates about 72,000 nurses across RN, LPN, advanced practice, medication assistant, and dialysis technician-related roles. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint volume, and the board’s finances. The board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but faces vacancy and distribution issues, receives about 2,200 complaints annually, and most serious complaints involve criminal backgrounds, fraud or misrepresentation, misappropriation, drug abuse, and criminal investigations. Officials also said they are looking at ways to improve efficiency in case handling, including better documentation and added help positions, and noted outreach efforts through nursing associations and the Arkansas Center for Nursing.
For professional soil classifiers, Agriculture Department officials explained that the occupation was created in 1975 and now is administered by the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. They said the profession is small and specialized, with about 29 registered soil classifiers in Arkansas, and requires a four-year degree plus coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences. Members asked whether the current number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the licensing fund is used. Officials said the current number appears adequate, though demand could change with more nutrient management or related work, and that soil classifiers commonly assist with septic system design, perk testing, wetland determinations, and other soil-related projects. They also noted the program has a small reserve and may look at training, curriculum, testing, and administrative budget adjustments. Both reports were reviewed without objection, and no votes were taken. The next meeting was announced for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.