| (10) APRN applicants who wish to practice in more than
one role and/or population focus area shall complete additional education
in the desired area(s) of licensure in compliance with the education
requirements set forth in this chapter and meet all requirements for
licensure in each additional role or population focus area. To apply
for licensure for more than one role and/or population focus area,
the applicant shall submit a separate application and fee for each
desired role and/or population focus area. Additional licensure is
required for those licensed APRNs seeking to iclude an additional:
(A) APRN role and population focus area;
(B) Population focus area within the same APRN role;
or
(C) APRN role within the same population focus area.
(b) Licensure of an Internationally Educated APRN.
(1) An internationally educated applicant for licensure
as an APRN in Texas shall:
(A) Graduate from a graduate or post-graduate level
APRN education program equivalent to an APRN education program in
the United States that is accepted by the Board. All curricular requirements
set forth in this rule must be met.
(B) Submit documentation through an official transcript
directly from the international nursing education program and an original
Credential Evaluation Service (CES) Full Education course-by-course
report, sent directly from an approved organization for the license
being sought.
(2) An internationally educated APRN applicant shall
meet all other licensure criteria required of applicants educated
in the United States.
(c) Application for Licensure by Endorsement.
(1) An applicant for licensure by endorsement as an
APRN in this state shall submit to the Board the required fee as specified
in §223.1 of this title, verification of licensure or privilege
to practice as a registered nurse in Texas, and a completed APRN application
that provides the following information:
(A) Graduation from a graduate or post-graduate level
APRN education program, as evidenced by an official transcript or
other official documentation received directly from a graduate program
accredited by a nursing accrediting body that is recognized by the
U.S. Secretary of Education and/or Council for Higher Education Accreditation,
or its successor organization, as acceptable by the Board.
(B) Documentation of education shall verify the date
of graduation; credential conferred; number of clinical hours completed;
completion of three separate graduate level courses in advanced physiology
and pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
that includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics
of all broad categories of agents; role and population focus area
of the education program; and evidence of meeting the standards of
nursing education in this rule.
(2) An applicant must provide evidence of current certification
by a national certifying body in the APRN role and population focus
area appropriate to the APRN educational preparation. National certifications
accepted for APRN licensure shall meet the requirements for national
certification programs set forth in this rule. Primary source verification
of certification is required.
(3) An applicant must attest, on forms provided by
the Board, to having completed a minimum of 400 hours of current practice
within the last 24 calendar months in the APRN role and population
focus area for which the applicant is applying, unless the applicant
has completed an APRN education program in the APRN role and population
focus area within the last 24 calendar months.
(A) If the applicant has not been in clinical practice
in the APRN role and population focus area for at least 400 hours
within the past two years, the applicant shall provide evidence of:
(i) Satisfactory completion of 20 contact hours of
continuing education within the two years prior to applying for licensure;
and
(ii) If less than four years but more than two years
have lapsed since completion of the APRN education program and/or
the applicant does not have 400 hours of current practice in the APRN
and population focus area during the previous 24 calendar months,
the APRN shall be required to demonstrate proof of completion of 400
hours of current practice obtained under the direct supervision of
a qualified preceptor who meets the requirements of §221.10 of
this chapter.
(B) If the applicant has not been in clinical practice
for more than the past four years, the applicant shall provide evidence
of satisfactory completion of 45 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics
within the two years prior to application. The applicant must also
successfully complete a refresher course or an extensive orientation
in the appropriate APRN role and population focus area that includes
a supervised clinical component by a qualified preceptor who meets
the requirements of §221.10 of this chapter.
(C) The course(s)/orientation shall be of sufficient
length to satisfy the learning needs of the applicant and to assure
that he/she meets the minimum standard for safe, competent care and
include a minimum of 400 hours of current practice as described in
this paragraph. The course(s)/orientation shall cover the entire scope
of the authorized APRN role and population focus area. Content shall
comply with the requirements specified in the form titled "Requirements
for APRN Refresher Course or Extensive Orientation", which is adopted
by reference in §221.10 of this chapter.
(D) The preceptor must provide written verification
of satisfactory completion of the refresher course/extensive orientation
on forms provided by the Board and assurance that the individual has
reviewed current practice-related information pertinent to his/her
APRN role and population focus area.
(4) Identification of any state, territory, or country
in which the applicant holds a professional license or credential,
if applicable, must be provided. Required information includes:
(A) The number, type, and status of the license or
credential; and
(B) The original state or country of licensure or credentialing.
(5) An applicant must provide the date and jurisdiction
the applicant previously applied for a license in another jurisdiction
and either was denied a license, withdrew the application, or allowed
the application to expire, as applicable.
(6) An applicant must provide a detailed explanation
and supporting documentation for each affirmative answer to questions
regarding the applicant's eligibility for licensure.
(7) An individual who has reason to believe that he
or she may be ineligible for APRN licensure or prescriptive authorization
may petition the Board for a declaratory order as to his or her eligibility
by submitting a petition, on forms provided by the Board, and the
fee required in §223.1 of this title (relating to Fees).
(A) The petition shall include:
(i) a statement by the individual indicating the reason(s)
and basis of his/her potential ineligibility;
(ii) if the potential ineligibility is due to the individual's
criminal history, all court documents, including, but not limited
to: indictments, agreements for pre-trial diversion or deferred prosecution,
orders of deferred adjudication, judgments, probation records, and
evidence of completion of probation, as applicable;
(iii) if the potential ineligibility is due to the
individual's mental health condition or diminished capacity, verifiable
and reliable evidence of controlled behavior and consistent compliance
with recommended treatment, including compliance with a prescribed
medication regime, for a reasonable amount of time, as applicable;
(iv) if the potential ineligibility is due to the individual's
substance use disorder and/or the abuse/misuse of alcohol or drugs,
verifiable and reliable evidence of sobriety and abstinence from drugs
and alcohol, which may include evidence of the completion of inpatient,
outpatient, or aftercare treatment, random drug screens, individual
or group therapy, and/or support group attendance; and
(v) an evaluation that meets the criteria of the Occupations
Code §301.4521 and §213.33 of this chapter (relating to
Factors Considered for Imposition of Penalties/Sanctions), if applicable.
(B) Once the Board has received all necessary information,
including the information required by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph,
an investigation shall be conducted. The investigation will be based
upon an evaluation of the individualized factors of the case, the
potential risk of harm the individual's practice may pose to patients/clients
and/or the public, and the individual's ability to meet the requirements
of §213.27 (relating to Good Professional Character), §213.28
(relating to Licensure of Individuals with Criminal History), and §213.29
(relating to Fitness to Practice) of this title, as applicable. Based
upon the individualized facts of the case, the Board may approve licensure
or prescriptive authorization without encumbrance, impose Cont'd... |
