Behavioral Health Careers by State

The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for people who want a job or career in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention. There are many ways to start and grow a career in behavioral health. Each path has its own requirements for getting and keeping a license or certification, and these requirements can be different depending on where you live. You can also learn more about each role.

Map of the United States

Arkansas Careers

Addiction Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Undergraduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 10000 hours (less for more advanced degree)
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4000 hours (general supervised); 200 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Undergraduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 6000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 6000 hours (generally supervised); 300 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 300 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Board of Nursing For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Yes for nurse licensure; no for APRN
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours (as licensed RN)
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, Varies depending on specialty
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 15 hours

Clinical Social Worker

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Undergraduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 30 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4000 hours generally supervised post-degree
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 48 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4000 hours (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 30 hours

Community Health Worker

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Community Health Workers Association For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	None
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	No
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4160 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Not specified
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 20 hours

Marriage and Family Therapist

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 3000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 3000 hours (generally supervised); 175 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 24 hours

Mental Health Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas State Board of Examiners in Counseling For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 24 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas State Board of Examiners in Counseling For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 3000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 3000 hours (generally supervised); 175 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 24 hours

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Department of Human Services For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High School/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 500 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 25 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	Not specified
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	No, Not applicable

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Department of Human Services For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 500 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 25 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	Not specified (although may be tied to NAADAC certification, which is 24 months)
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Not specified (although may be tied to NAADAC certification), NAADAC renewal requires 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Department of Human Services For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High School/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 500 hours (and hold PR certification)
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 25 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	Not specified (although may be tied to NAADAC certification, which is 24 months)
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Not specified (although may be tied to NAADAC certification), NAADAC renewal requires 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Department of Human Services For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 500 hours (and hold APR certification)
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 300 hours (general supervision); 25 hours (direct supervision)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	Not specified (although may be tied to NAADAC certification, which is 24 months)
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Not specified (although may be tied to NAADAC certification), NAADAC renewal requires 20 hours

Physician Assistant

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas State Medical Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 100 hours

Prevention Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Prevention Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High School/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 120 hours (training)
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, Not Specified
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Psychiatric Aide

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Board of Nursing For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High School/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 1000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas State Medical Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 20 hours

Psychologist

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Psychology Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 50 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	12 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 20 hours

Social Worker

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Undergraduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 30 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 30 hours

Behavioral Health Careers by State

Arkansas Careers

Addiction Counselor

Clinical Supervisor

Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner

Certified Nurse Practitioner

Clinical Social Worker

Licensed Social Worker

Licensed Master Social Worker

Licensed Certified Social Worker

Community Health Worker

Certified Community Health Worker

Marriage and Family Therapist

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Mental Health Counselor

Licensed Associate Counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Advanced Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Peer Recovery Specialist

Advanced Peer Recovery Specialist

Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor

Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant

Prevention Specialist

Certified Prevention Specialist

Psychiatric Aide

Psychiatric Technician Nurse

Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician

Physician

Psychologist

Psychologist

Social Worker

Licensed Social Worker

Licensed Master Social Worker