067.00.00 Ark. Code R. 002 - Chapter Two: Licensure - RN, LPN, and LPTN

SECTION I QUALIFICATIONS

A. Good moral character.

B. Completion of an approved high school course of study or the equivalent as determined by the appropriate educational agency.

C. Completion of the required approved nursing education program. (LPN and LPTN requirements may be waived if applicant is determined to be otherwise qualified.)

D. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing may refuse to admit to the examination any candidate and refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration to any applicant if the license, practice privilege, certificate or registration of such person has been revoked or suspended or placed on probation and not reinstated by the jurisdiction which took such action.

E. Effective January 1, 2000, no person shall be eligible to receive or hold a license issued by the board if that person has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found, guilty by any court in the State of Arkansas, or of any similar offense by a court in another state, or of any similar offense by a federal court of any offense listed in Act 1208 of 1999.

SECTION II EXAMINATION

A. ELIGIBILITY

The applicant shall meet the licensure requirements of the Board.

B. APPLICATION

1. Applications for examination shall be completed, certified and filed with the Board prior to the examination.

2. One 2x3-inch photograph, signed by the applicant, shall be filed with the application.

3. Examination applications shall be notarized. The application shall not be acceptable if the director or chairman of an educational program has certified the applicant prior to date of completion.

4. Applicants for licensure by examination shall not be deemed eligible to take the licensure examination until such time that the results of the state and federal criminal background checks have been received.

C. FEE

1. The examination fee shall accompany the application.

2. The examination fee (first time or retake) is not refundable.

3. The fees for the state and federal criminal background checks are the responsibility of the applicant and shall be submitted to the Arkansas State Police with the application for same.

4. The fees are determined by the Arkansas State Police and the FBI and are not refundable.

D. PASSING SCORE

The passing score on the licensure examination shall be determined by the Board.

E. FAILING SCORE AND ELIGIBILITY TO RETAKE THE EXAMINATION

1. Any applicant whose score falls below the passing score shall fail the examination.

2. Persons failing the examination will be, responsible for preparing to retake the examination.

3. The frequency and number of retests by unsuccessful candidates shall be determined by the Board.

4. Applicants retaking the examination shall have' state and federal criminal background checks within the past twelve months on file with the Board.

F. RESULTS

1. Examination results shall not be released until a copy of the applicant's transcript is received from the school.

2. Examination results 'shall be mailed to all applicants and to their respective schools.

G. FOREIGN EDUCATED NURSES

1. The applicant must present evidence of:

a. Graduation from an approved or accredited school of nursing. The Board may waive this requirement for LPN and LPTN applicants provided they are otherwise qualified.

b. Licensure or proof of eligibility for licensure in the country of graduation.

c. Theory and practice in medical, surgical, pediatric, obstetric and psychiatric nursing which is substantially similar in length and content to that in equivalent Arkansas Board approved nursing programs at the time of application as verified by a credentials review agency.

d. State and federal criminal background checks within the past twelve months on file with the Board.

e. Credentials review that includes verification of the candidate's education, training, experience and licensure with respect to the statutory and regulatory requirements for the nursing profession, as well as oral and written competence in English.

2. L.P.N. applicants must have evidence of all the foregoing with the exception of psychiatric nursing, in which theory only is required.

3. Transcripts and certificates which are not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

4. Applicants shall be required to take such licensure examinations as required of Arkansas Board approved nursing programs.

H. EQUIVALENCIES

1. LPN to LPTN: Candidates holding LPN licensure may, with the approval of the Board's representative, take the requisite' psychiatric nursing courses in a Board approved LPTN program to meet the Board's requirements for LPTN licensure by examination at the time of application.

2. LPTN to LPN: Candidates holding LPTN licensure who completed Arkansas Board approved LPTN programs after March 18, 1980, may be admitted to the LPN licensure examination provided they are otherwise qualified.

3. RN examination failures: Graduates of Board approved R.N. programs, upon submission of an official transcript directly from the School, and a copy of their R.N. examination failure results, maybe admitted to the LPN licensure examination provided they are otherwise qualified.

4. Portion of RN Program: Candidates who have completed equivalent courses in a state approved program of nursing may be admitted to the LPN licensure examination provided they are otherwise qualified. Evidence must be provided verifying successful completion of classroom instruction and clinical practice substantially similar to the minimum requirements for practical nursing programs.

SECTION III INTERSTATE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT

A. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS IN THE COMPACT

For the purpose of the Compact:

1. "Board" means party state's regulatory body responsible for issuing nurse licenses.

2. "Information system" means the coordinated licensure information system.

3. "Primary state of residence" means the state of a person's declared fixed permanent and principal home for legal purposes; domicile.

4. "Public" means any individual or entity other than designated staff or representatives of party state Boards or the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.

5. "Alternative program" means a voluntary, non-disciplinary monitoring program approved by a nurse licensing board.

6. "Coordinated Licensure Information System" means an Integrated process for collecting, storing, and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement activities related to nurse licensure laws, which is administered by a non-profit organization composed of state nurse licensing boards.

7. "Home state" means the party-state which is the nurse's primary state of residence.

8. "Multistate licensure privilege" means current, official authority from a remote state permitting the practice of nursing as either a registered nurse or a licensed practical/vocational nurse in such party state.

9. "Nurse" means a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, as those terms are defined by each party's state practice laws.

10. "Party state" means any state that has adopted this Compact.

11. "Remote state" means a party state, other than the home state,

(a) where the patient is located at the time nursing care is provided, or,

(b) in the case of the practice of nursing not involving a patient, in such party state where the recipient of nursing practice is located.

12. "Current significant investigative information" means;

(a) investigative information that a licensing board, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity for the nurse to respond if required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction; or

(b) investigative information that indicates that the nurse represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the nurse has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.

13. Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse means a person who has been licensed as an LPN or LVN by a party state licensing board.

Other terms used in these rules are to be defined as in the Interstate Compact.

B. ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE BY A COMPACT PARTY STATE

For the purpose of this Compact:

1. A nurse applying for a license in a home party state shall produce evidence of the nurses' primary state of residence. Such evidence shall include a declaration signed by the licensee. Further evidence that may be requested may include but is not limited to:

a. Driver's license with a home address;

b. Voter registration card displaying a home address; or

c. Federal income tax return declaring the primary state of residence.

2. A nurse changing primary state of residence, from one party state to another party state, may continue to practice under the former home state license and multistate licensure privilege during the processing of the nurse's licensure application in the new home state for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

3. The licensure application in the new home state of a nurse under pending investigation by the former home state shall be held in abeyance and the thirty (30) day period in section B.2. shall be stayed until resolution of the pending investigation.

4. The former home state license shall no longer be valid upon the Issuance of a, new home state license.

5. It a decision is made by the new home state denying licensure, the new home state shall notify the former home state within ten (10) business days and the former home state may take action in Accordance with that state's laws and rules.

6. Party states shall recognize and honor either the LPN or LVN title used for Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses, respectively.

C. LIMlTATIONS ON MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE

Home state Boards shall include in all licensure disciplinary orders and/or agreements that limit practice and/or require monitoring the requirement that the licensee subject to said order and/or agreement will agree to limit the licensee's practice to the home state during the pendency of the disciplinary order and/or agreement. This requirement may, in the alternative, allow the nurse to practice in other party states with prior written authorization from both the home state and such other party state Boards.

D. INFORMATION SYSTEM

1. Levels of access

a. The public shall have access to nurse licensure information limited to:

(1) the nurse's name,

(2) jurisdiction(s) of licensure,

(3) license expiration date(s),

(4) licensure classification(s) and status(es),

(5) public emergency and final disciplinary actions, as defined by contributing state authority, and

(6) the status of multistate licensure privileges.

b. Non-party state Boards shall have access to all Information System data except current significant investigative information and other information as limited by contributing party state authority.

c. Party state Boards shall have access to all Information System data contributed by the party states and other information as limited by contributing non-party state authority.

2. The licensee may request in writing to the home state Board to review the data relating to the licensee in the Information System.

In the event a licensee asserts that any data relating to Rim or her is inaccurate, the burden of proof shall be upon the licensee to provide evidence that substantiates such claim. The Board shall verify and within ten (10) business days correct inaccurate data to the Information System.

3. The Board shall report to the Information System within ten (10) business days:

a. Disciplinary action, agreement or order requiring participation in alternative programs or which limit practice or require monitoring (except agreements and orders relating to participation in alternative programs required to remain nonpublic by contributing state authority),

b. Dismissal of complaint, and

c. Changes in status of disciplinary action, or licensure encumbrance.

4. Current significant investigative information shall be deleted from the Information System within ten (10) business days upon report of disciplinary action, agreement or order requiring participation in alternative programs or agreements which limit practice or require monitoring or dismissal of a complaint.

5. Changes to licensure information in the Information System shall be completed within ten (10) business days upon notification by a Board.

SECTION IV ENDORSEMENT

A. ELIGIBILITY

1. An applicant for licensure by endorsement must meet the requirements of the Board at the time of graduation.

2. An applicant licensed in another state after January 1950 must have taken a state board licensing examination and achieved a passing score.

3. LPTN applicants will be accepted from California and Kansas only.

B. EQUIVALENCIES

1. R.N. examination failures: Graduates of Board approved RN programs, holding LPN licensure by examination in other jurisdictions, may be endorsed provided they are otherwise qualified.

2. Canadian Registered Nurses licensed by NLN State Board Test Pool Examination in the following provinces during The years indicated: Alberta, 1952-1970; British Columbia, 1949-1970; Manitoba, 1955-1970; Newfoundland, 1961-1970; Nova Scotia, 1955-1970; Prince Edward Island, 1956-1970; Quebec (English language), 1959-1970; and Saskatchewan, 1956-1970. These applicants maybe endorsed provided they are otherwise qualified.

3. Portion of RN Program: candidates Who have completed equivalent courses in a state approved program of nursing may be endorsed provided they are otherwise qualified. Evidence must be provided verifying successful completion of classroom instruction and clinical practice substantially similar to the minimum requirements for practical nursing programs.

C. APPLICATION

1. Applications must be completed, certified, accompanied by a 2x3-inch photograph signed by the applicant, and filed with the Board.

2. Endorsement certification will be accepted from the state of original licensure only.

3. Applicants for licensure by endorsement shall not be issued a permanent license to practice until such time that the results of the state and federal criminal background checks have been received.

D. FEE

1. The endorsement fee must accompany the application.

2. The fees for the state and federal criminal background checks are the responsibility of the applicant and shall be submitted to the Arkansas State Police with the application for same.

3. The fees are not refundable.

SECTION V CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

A. Effective January 1, 2000, no application for issuance of an initial license will be considered without state and federal criminal background checks by the Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

B. Each applicant shall sign a release of information on the criminal background check and licensure applications and shall be solely responsible for the payment of any fees associated with the state and federal criminal background checks to The Arkansas State Police.

C. Upon completion of the state and federal criminal background checks, the Identification Bureau of the Arkansas State Police shall forward all information obtained concerning the applicant in the commission of any offense listed in Act 1208 of 1999.

D. The state and federal criminal background checks conducted by the Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall have been completed no earlier than twelve (12) months prior to the application for an initial license issued by the ASBN and at any other time thereafter that the Board deems necessary.

E. The ASBN shall not issue an initial license until the state and federal Criminal background checks conducted by the Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of investigation have been completed.

F. A request to seek waiver of the denial of licensure pursuant to the Provisions of Act 1208 of 1999 may be made to the ASBN by:

(1) the affected applicant for licensure, or

(2) the person holding a license subject to revocation.

G. The request for a waiver shall be made in writing to the Executive Director or the designee within thirty (30) calendar days after notification of denial of a license. The request for waiver shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(1) certified copy of court records indicating grounds for conviction,

(2) any other pertinent documentation to indicate surrounding circumstances.

H. If an individual notifies ASBN in writing that he/she desires a hearing regarding their request for a waiver, the ASBN will schedule the individual for a hearing pursuant to the Arkansas Administrative Procedures Act.

I. If the individual does not notify the ASBN that he/she desires a hearing regarding their request for a waiver, the ASBN will not hold a hearing and may take action regarding their request for a waiver based upon proof submitted by ASBN and the applicant.

SECTION VI

TEMPORARY PERMITS

A. ENDORSEMENT APPLICANT

1. ASBN shall be authorized to issue a temporary permit for a period not exceeding six months. This temporary permit shall be issued only to those applicants who meet all other qualifications for licensure by the ASBN, and upon whom results of the Arkansas State Police criminal background check have been received showing no violations listed in Act 1208 of 1999.

2. The temporary permit shall immediately become invalid upon receipt of information obtained from the federal criminal background check indicating any offense listed in Act 1208 of 1999.

3. Falsification of the applicants criminal record history shall be grounds for disciplinary action by the Board.

B. FEES |AND APPLICATIONS

1. the temporary permit fee shall be submitted with the application.

2. The fee is not refundable.

SECTION VII

RENEWALS

A. Each person licensed under the provisions of the Nurse Practice Act shall renew biennially.

1. Thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date, the Board shall mail a renewal application to the last known address of each nurse to whom a license was issued or renewed during the current period.

2. The application shall be completed before the license renewal is processed.

3. The fee for renewal shall accompany the application.

4. The fee is not refundable.

B. LAPSED LICENSE

1. The license is lapsed if not renewed or placed in inactive status by the expiration date.

2. Failure to receive the renewal notice at the last address of record in the Board office shall not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for renewing the license by the expiration date.

3. Any licensee whose license has lapsed shall file a reinstatement application and pay the current renewal fee and the. reinstatement fee.

4. Any person practicing nursing during the time his or her license has lapsed shall be considered an illegal practitioner and shall be subject to the penalties provided for violation of the Nurse Practice Act.

C. INACTIVE STATUS

1. Any licensee in good standing, who desires to retire temporarily from the practice of nursing in this state, shall submit a request in writing and the current license shall be placed on inactive status from the date of expiration.

2. While inactive, the licensee shall not practice nursing nor be subject to the payment of renewal fees.

3. When the licensee desires to' resume practice, he or she shall request a renewal application, which shall be completed and submitted with a reinstatement fee and the renewal fee.

4. When disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against an inactive licensee, the license shall not be reinstated until the proceedings have been completed.

SECTION VIII

DUPLICATE LICENSE

A. A duplicate license or certificate shall be issued when the licensee submits a notarized statement to the Board that the document is lost, stolen, or destroyed, and pays the required fee.

B. The license will be marked "duplicate".

SECTION IX

CERTIFICATION TO ANOTHER JURISDICTION

Upon payment of a certification fee, a nurse seeking licensure in another state may have a certified statement of Arkansas licensure issued to the Board of Nursing in that state.

SECTION X

NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGE

A. A licensee, whose name is legally changed, shall be issued a replacement license following submission of the current license, along with a notarized statement, copy of marriage license or court action, and the required fee.

B. A licensee, whose address changes from the address appearing on the current license, shall immediately notify the Board in writing of the change.

Notes

067.00.00 Ark. Code R. 002

7/24/2000