← Arkansas medical records custodian and retention laws

Arkansas — Medical Records Checklist

For a practice that is closing, being sold, relocating or whose physician is retiring. Prepared 21 September 2026.

How long records must be kept

Adult patients: Arkansas sets NO retention period. The Medical Practices Act and the Board's rules were searched in full and contain no retention provision.
Patients who were minors: None set by Arkansas law.
Clock starts: Not applicable - no state clock exists.
Also: The operative floors are HIPAA's 6 years and the malpractice limitation period.
Also: The Arkansas Medical Society recommends at least 10 years from last treatment; that is a recommendation, not law.

Before you close — what this state requires

Board rule (adopted 2010-06-03, eff. 2010-07-01; amended 2017 and 2022-03-22): on changing practice, the healthcare provider must inform the Board of the new location, address and practice setting, AND
Must further inform the Board of WHERE THE PATIENT RECORDS ARE STORED, WHO IS THE CUSTODIAN of those records, and HOW PATIENTS OR OTHERS MAY OBTAIN THEM
Rule 33 (Notification of Change of Practice) separately bars an employing entity from misleading patients about, or withholding, a departing provider's new location; 'Existing Patient' = seen within the previous 12 months

Where a records custodian fits

Arkansas law addresses a records custodian directly in the items above. Morgan Records Management performs this role; the duties below are the ones that transfer to, or must be evidenced by, whoever holds the records.

Must further inform the Board of WHERE THE PATIENT RECORDS ARE STORED, WHO IS THE CUSTODIAN of those records, and HOW PATIENTS OR OTHERS MAY OBTAIN THEM

Where this comes from

Arkansas Medical Practices Act and Regulations (Arkansas State Medical Board)
https://www.armedicalboard.org/

Read this before you act on it. Every statement above was taken from the state's own published rule or statute and is quoted or closely paraphrased from it. It is a working checklist, not legal advice, and it is a snapshot: retention periods change, and several states adjust their copying fees every year. Confirm the current text with the source listed above, or with your attorney, before you rely on a date or a dollar figure.

Figures stated as of: Verified September 2026

Prepared by Morgan Records Management for Arkansas. Checklist built 21 September 2026.