17 CAR Part 131 — Dialysis Patient Care Technicians

Chapter XXII

Subchapter A

Subpart 1

17 CAR § 131-101 Definitions {#sec-17-car-131-101 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-101}

17 CAR § 131-101. Definitions.

As used in this part:

(1) “AV fistula” (AVF) means the surgical connection of an artery and vein causing blood to flow between the vessels;

(2) “AV graft” (AVG) means the connection of a vein and artery that utilizes a hollow synthetic tube;

(3) “Central venous catheter” (CVC) means the insertion of a soft plastic, y-shaped tube that is placed into a large vein, usually in the neck, upper chest, or groin;

(4) “Dialysis patient care technician” (D-PCT) means a person who:

(A) Meets the requirements in 17 CAR § 131-102; and

(B) Works under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician in a dialysis center;

(5) “Hemodialysis” means a method of dialysis in which blood from a patient's body is circulated through an external device or machine and then returned to the patient's bloodstream for the purpose of removing substances from the patient's body; and

(6) “Patient contact hours” means contact hours awarded for successfully completing a continuing education activity by an approved provider.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-102 Qualifications for registration {#sec-17-car-131-102 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-102}

17 CAR § 131-102. Qualifications for registration.

(a) In order to register as a dialysis patient care technician, an applicant shall submit written evidence, verified by oath, to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing that the applicant:

(1) Has a high school diploma or a general educational development (GED) certificate;

(2) Is currently employed as a dialysis patient care technician; and

(3) Has completed or is enrolled in a training course that follows national recommendations for dialysis patient care technicians which is conducted primarily in a work setting; or

(4) Has completed a training course that follows national recommendations for dialysis patient care technicians with verification of competency and a skills checklist signed by the medical director of the facility that employs the person.

(b) To remain on the Dialysis Patient Care Technician Registry the individual shall: (1) Obtain national certification within eighteen (18) months of becoming employed as a dialysis patient care technician; and

(2) Maintain current certification.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-103 Initial registration {#sec-17-car-131-103 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-103}

17 CAR § 131-103. Initial registration.

(a) Applications for the Dialysis Patient Care Technician Registry shall be completed and filed with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

(b) The associated nonrefundable fee shall accompany the application.

(c) The applicant shall report any felony and misdemeanor convictions.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-104 Scope of work {#sec-17-car-131-104 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-104}

17 CAR § 131-104. Scope of work.

(a) A dialysis patient care technician may provide delegated patient care to include hemodialysis under the supervision of a registered nurse licensed in this state.

(b) Delegated patient care is based on nursing judgement and the dialysis patient care technician’s documented:

(1) Education;

(2) Knowledge;

(3) Training; and

(4) Skill.

(c) Patient care may include:

(1) Access through a CVC, AVG, or AVF;

(2) Administration of saline through a CVC, AVG, or AVF;

(3) Administration of heparin through a CVC, AVG, or AVF via intravenous push or bolus;

(4) Removal of catheter dressings; and

(5) Initiating, providing, and terminating dialysis treatment.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-105 Renewals {#sec-17-car-131-105 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-105}

17 CAR § 131-105. Renewals.

(a) Each person registered under the provisions of the Registered Dialysis Patient Care Technician Act, Arkansas Code § 17-87-901 et seq., shall renew the registration every two (2) years.

(b) Sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date, the Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall mail a renewal notification to the last known address of each dialysis patient care technician who is currently on the Dialysis Patient Care Technician Registry.

(c) An applicant for renewal of a dialysis patient care technician registration shall submit to the board:

(1) A completed renewal form;

(2) Proof of current national certification; and

(3) Payment of the nonrefundable renewal fee.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-106 Expired or lapsed registration {#sec-17-car-131-106 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-106}

17 CAR § 131-106. Expired or lapsed registration.

(a) The registration is expired if not renewed by the expiration date.

(b) Failure to receive the renewal notice at the last address of record in the Arkansas State Board of Nursing office shall not relieve the dialysis patient care technician of the responsibility for renewing the registration by the expiration date.

(c) Any dialysis patient care technician whose registration is expired shall:

(1) File a renewal application; and

(2) Pay the current renewal fee.

(d) The registration is lapsed when the national certification upon which the registration was granted expires.

(e) The national certifying body shall require between thirty (30) and forty (40) contact hours for recertification.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-107 Identification {#sec-17-car-131-107 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-107}

17 CAR § 131-107. Identification.

(a) Any person who is registered by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall use the legal title or abbreviation as set forth in the Registered Dialysis Patient Care Technician Act, Arkansas Code § 17-87-901 et seq.

(b) No other person shall assume any other name, title, or abbreviation or any words, letters, signs, or devices that would cause a reasonable person to believe the user is registered as a dialysis patient care technician.

(c) Any person registered as a dialysis patient care technician shall wear a name badge with the name and appropriate legal title or abbreviation during times when such person is providing patient care.

(d) The name badge shall be prominently displayed and clearly legible such that the person receiving care may readily identify the type of personnel providing care.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-108 Name, address, or phone number change {#sec-17-car-131-108 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-108}

17 CAR § 131-108. Name, address, or phone number change.

(a) A dialysis patient care technician whose name is legally changed shall submit to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing:

(1) A name change request; and

(2) A copy of the marriage license or court action.

(b) The dialysis patient care technician shall immediately notify the board in writing of a change in:

(1) Mailing address;

(2) Residential address;

(3) Email address; or

(4) Telephone number.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-109 Registry {#sec-17-car-131-109 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-109}

17 CAR § 131-109. Registry.

The Dialysis Patient Care Technician Registry shall list the following information on each dialysis patient care technician:

(1) Full name;

(2) Registry number with issue and expiration date;

(3) Disciplinary actions;

(4) Certificate showing completion of a nationally recognized training program;

(5) Certificate of certifying examination; and

(6) All felony or misdemeanor convictions reported to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-110 Registration of uniformed service members, veterans, and spouses {#sec-17-car-131-110 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-110}

17 CAR § 131-110. Registration of uniformed service members, veterans, and spouses.

(a) Automatic registration. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing will give preference in the order of processing to applications for placement on the registry filed by the following individuals:

(1) A uniformed service member stationed in the State of Arkansas;

(2) A uniformed service veteran who resides in or establishes residency in the State of Arkansas; or

(3) The spouse of a:

(A) Person under subdivision (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section;

(B) Uniformed service member who is assigned a tour of duty that excludes the uniformed service member’s spouse from accompanying the uniformed service member and the spouse relocates to Arkansas; or

(C) Uniformed service member who is killed or succumbs to his or her injuries or illness in the line of duty if the spouse establishes residency in Arkansas.

(b) Extension of registration expiration date.

(1) Upon written request and submission of appropriate documentation, a deployed uniformed service member or spouse shall be allowed an extension of the expiration date without penalty or assessment of a late fee for renewing the registration.

(2) The extension shall be effective for one hundred eighty (180) days after the service member or spouse returns from active deployment.

(c) Consideration of military training and experience. When considering an application for registration, the board shall:

(1) Consider whether or not the applicant’s military education, training, national certification, service-issued credential, and experience in the practice as a dialysis patient care technician is substantially similar to the experience or education required for registration; and

(2) Accept the applicant’s military education, training, national certification, service-issued credential, and experience in the practice as a dialysis patient care technician in lieu of experience or education required for registration, if the board determines that the military training and experience is a satisfactory substitute for the experience or education required for registration.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-111 Grounds for discipline {#sec-17-car-131-111 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-111}

17 CAR § 131-111. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall refuse to register or shall revoke the registration of a person who would be disqualified from employment under Arkansas Code § 20-33-213.

(b) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall have sole authority to suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew any dialysis patient care technician's registration issued by the board or applied for in accordance with the provisions of this part, or to otherwise discipline a dialysis patient care technician upon proof that the person:

(1) Secured registration through fraud or deceit;

(2) Is guilty of unprofessional conduct, unethical conduct, gross ignorance, or inefficiency in the conduct of his or her practice as outlined in 17 CAR § 126-102;

(3) Used a false name or an alias in his or her application or practice;

(4) Failed to comply with any of the requirements for registration; or

(5) Violated any provisions of the Registered Dialysis Patient Care Technician Act, Arkansas Code § 17-87-901 et seq.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203

17 CAR § 131-112 Exceptions {#sec-17-car-131-112 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-131--17 CAR § 131-112}

17 CAR § 131-112. Exceptions.

This part does not apply to a dialysis patient care technician who is working directly with a physician licensed by the Arkansas State Medical Board.

History

• History: Ark. R. 2026-80 (eff. July 4, 2026) Authority: Arkansas Code § 17-87-203