067.00.93 Ark. Code R. 004 - Practical Nurse Licensure

CHAPTER SEVEN PRACTICAL NURSE LICENSURE

SECTION I LICENSURE AS A LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE

A. LICENSURE QUALIFICATIONS

1. Good moral character.

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

3. Completion of a prescribed curriculum in a state approved school of practical nursing with a diploma or certificate therefrom. The State Board may waive the graduation requirement if the Board determines the applicant to be otherwise qualified according to established criteria.

B. EXAMINATION

1. Eligibility

The applicant must meet the requirements of the Board.

2. Application

a. Application for examination must be completed, certified and filed with the Board office prior to the examination.

b. Two 2x3-inch photographs, signed by the applicant, must be filed with the application.

c. Examination applications shall not be accepted for processing if they have been notarized prior to completion of the educational program. The application shall not be acceptable if the director or instructor of an educational program has certified the applicant prior to the date of completion of the program.

3. Admission

At least seven (7) days prior to the examination, the applicant will be mailed an admission card which must be presented at the door of the examination room.

4. Fee

a. The examination fee must accompany the application.

b. The fee for taking the examination must be submitted with the application prior to the examination date.

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

5. Passing Score

The passing score on the licensure examination for practical nurses shall be determined by the Board in accordance with national standards.

6. Failing Score and Eligibility to Retake the Examination

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

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

7. State board examination results are mailed to applicants and to their respective schools.

8. Foreign Educated Nurses

An applicant from a foreign country must meet the educational requirements for licensure in Arkansas at the time he or she graduated from a school of nursing.

a) The applicant must present evidence of:

1) Graduation from a secondary school (high school - 12 grades total) or the equivalent.

2) Graduation from an approved or accredited school of nursing.

3) Licensure in country of graduation, or proof of eligibility for licensure.

4) Theory and practice in medical, surgical, pediatric and obstetrical nursing. Theory in psychiatric nursing.

5) Ability to write, speak and understand English.

b) All transcripts and certificates which are not in the English language must be accompanied by a certified translation.

C. LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT

1. Qualifications

a. An applicant for licensure by endorsement must meet the requirements of the Board at the time of graduation if the Board so recommends.

b. An applicant licensed in another state since 1950 must have taken a State Board practical nurse licensing examination and achieved a passing score.

2. Application

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

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

3. Fee

a. The iicensure/endorsement fee must accompany the application.

b. The fee is not refundable.

SECTION II TEMPORARY PERMIT

A. EXAMINATION APPLICANT

1. The Board may issue a temporary permit to practice practical nursing to a qualified applicant who has completed an approved program in practical nursing and who has applied for or is awaiting results of the first examination scheduled following graduation.

2. The temporary permit shall become invalid upon notification of the results of the examination.

B. ENDORSEMENT APPLICANT

The Board may issue a temporary permit to a qualified applicant who holds a current license from another jurisdiction. This permit must have an issuance date and a date when it shall become invalid, a period not exceeding 90 days.

C. FEE

The temporary permit fee must accompany the application. The fee is not refundable.

SECTION III RENEWALS

A. BIENNIAL RENEWAL OF LICENSE

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

2. 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 and/or renewed during the current period.

3. The application must be completed before renewal license is processed.

4. The fee for renewal must accompany the application. The fee is not refundable.

B. REINSTATEMENT OF LICENSE

1. The license is lapsed if not renewed by the expiration date.

2. An application for reinstatement of license must be completed.

3. Any licensee who allows his/her license to lapse by failing to renew the license as provided above may be reinstated by the Board upon payment of the renewal fee plus a penalty. Any person practicing nursing during the time his/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.

4. An inactive nurse whose license is lapsed shall not be required to pay the renewal fee so long as he/she remains inactive. Should a nurse wish to resume nursing, he/she shall request the proper renewal application from this office. Fees are not prorated.

SECTION IV DUPLICATE LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE

A. DUPLICATE LICENSE

1. A duplicate license may be issued when the licensee submits a notarized statement to the Board that the license is lost, stolen, or destroyed.

2. The license will be marked "duplicate" and date of issuance noted.

B. DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE

1. A duplicate certificate of licensure may be issued when the licensee submits a notarized statement to the Board that the certificate is lost, stolen, or destroyed.

2. The certificate will be marked "duplicate" and date of issuance noted.

SECTION V CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION TO ANOTHER JURISDICTION

A licensed practical nurse wishing to be licensed in another state may have a certified statement of Arkansas licensure issued to the Board of Nursing in that state.

SECTION VI NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGE

A. The licensee must provide evidence (affidavit, copy of marriage license or court action) regarding change of name.

B. It is the responsibility of the licensee to keep the Board informed of current address.

Notes

067.00.93 Ark. Code R. 004

8/2/1993