Nurse Practice Acts are laws in each state that are instrumental in defining the scope of nursing practice. NPAs protect public health, safety, and welfare. This protection includes shielding the public from unqualified and unsafe nurses. In each state, statutory law directs entry into nursing practice, defines the scope of practice, and establishes disciplinary procedures. State boards of nursing oversee this statutory law. They have the responsibility and authority to protect the public by determining who is competent to practice nursing. NPAs are the most important pieces of legislation related to nursing practice.

Arkansas NPA http://www.arsbn.org/pdfs/NURSEPRACTICEACT_2007__5_.pdf